School Support Staff Negotiating Body
The School Support Staff Negotiating Body (often referred to as SSSNB) is a new negotiating body that will ONLY focus on school support staff. The body will decide pay, terms and conditions for school support staff, as well as taking a new approach to staff training and development. Unlike the NJC, the SSSNB will ONLY talk about school support staff – so we can focus on issues that really affect staff working in schools. Academies will be included – which will mean that staff working in academies will be guaranteed the same pay and conditions as those working in maintained schools.
UNISON is the leading union in the work to reinstate the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) in England. Due to be implemented in the autumn (2026), the SSSNB will negotiate pay, terms and conditions for school support staff in England, as well as develop bespoke training opportunities. UNISON has long campaigned for the reinstatement of this body, which will give school support staff a negotiating framework which focuses solely on their needs and priorities.
IMPORTANT UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2026:
UNISON are planning to consult school support staff in England between 15 September – 6 October 2026, giving all affected members a say on the SSSNB. We will be asking you whether you agree with the proposals and the national Schools Sector Committee has recommended that you vote ‘yes’. Please ensure that all your details are up to date, so you do not miss out on being consulted. You can update your details via the member portal online my.unison.org.uk
You will be able to vote via a personalised link that will emailed to you directly. There will also be a voting link available on the campaign webpage.
The national School Sector Committee has recommended that you vote ‘yes’, as they believe it is the best way forward for negotiating decent pay, terms and conditions in a bespoke way that will truly improve the working lives of support staff in schools.
Once the consultation closes, the results will be reviewed and shared with members. As the SSSNB has already passed through parliament as part of the Employment Rights Act, it will definitely be coming into force, but it is nonetheless vital that our members are consulted on it. We will use the results of the consultation in discussions with the government.
How will I be involved?
Become a champion!
Over 1000 UNISON members in England have pledged themselves as school support staff champions, to build union strength in their schools and help to win a new deal for support staff. Join the growing movement here: unison.org.uk/sssnbchampions/
Ensure your membership details are up to date:
It’s really important that we hold up to date details for you, particularly your email address, so that we can get relevant information out to you and ensure you are included to share your views and have your say.
You can update these at: https://my.unison.org.uk/ or contact us at the branch on office@enfieldunison.co.uk or 0208 379 4084.
Helpful information: