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Welcome to Supply Desk education community
Introduction Supply Desk is a leading Education Recruitment & Support Services specialist with over 20 years of experience in the State, Independent, FE/HE and International sectors. Supply Desk has a local office and works with many client schools throughout England and Wales. It also has international offices to supply overseas candidates to the UK. We have lots of varied opportunities for work in England and Wales with positions ranging from class teachers, and tutors all the way through to head teachers as well as support staff roles. Supply Desk is always looking for good quality candidates for short-term, long term and permanent roles as the demand for our services is consistently high. Although Supply Desk is a large company with nationwide coverage, it retains its individuality with local offices staffed by experienced managers and consultants. It is this local knowledge and experience, as well as having a management team who have worked within the Education sector, which helps us to understand the requirements of individual schools and teaching staff.
To us this means Really understanding what you want and delivering a service that exceeds your expectations. Valuing your contribution to schools. Helping you to identify your strengths, options and any additional training or experience you may need. Actively representing you in the market to help ensure that your opportunities are maximised. Giving you support where we can Providing on-going training through our training portal and in-house training sessions
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Our Recruitment Policy As a basic commitment to schools, we provide suitably qualified, professional, high quality teachers and support staff. All of our candidates are interviewed carefully and thoroughly by one of our trained recruiters. During the interview we will discuss previous teaching/school experience and will establish your attitude to teaching/supporting along with exploring your interpersonal skills and flexibility.
Thoroughly Checked It is our policy (in line with DfE requirements) that we thoroughly vet all supply teachers and support staff prior to acceptance. We satisfy all Department of Education and Home Office requirements for vetting candidates. As part of this, we have to ensure that candidates provide originals of all documents. We confirm your identity by sighting a legal document; we confirm your address, QTS or other status (if applicable) and your eligibility to work in the UK. It is a legal requirement under sections 15 to 25 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 that we view and verify all original passports, visas, identity cards, birth certificates etc. We do not accept copies. All candidates will have an appropriate DBS check in order to be eligible for assignments. An overseas Police Check is required for anyone who has lived outside the UK for 6 months or more in the last five years. Other appropriate checks against barred lists etc. will also be carried out by us. We ask all candidates to complete a medical declaration. This enables us to ascertain any reasonable adjustments that we or our clients may need to undertake. We ensure that at least two confidential references are taken up for you, including your current or most recent employer. References cover at a minimum, the last two years and may cover longer if we need to verify teaching ability to cover contractual requirements. We also verify that qualifications are valid by inspecting original documentation or contacting the issuing institution. We require a full CV covering your entire work history with any gaps not covered by employment or education fully explained. All our candidates undergo the same rigorous vetting process and a full copy of our process is available on request.
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YOUR GO TO
CHECK LIST Equal Opportunities We are committed to a Policy of Equal Opportunities for the placement of teaching and supporting staff. As part of our interview and vetting procedures, all our candidates agree to support our Equal Opportunities Policy when working in schools, colleges etc. This ensures that our candidates promote equality of learning, irrespective of race, religion, gender, culture or disability. Should you fail to uphold this policy or if it is found that you have breached any of these obligations, your registration with us may be terminated.
Compliance Department We are committed to ensuring the safety of pupils and operate a robust recruitment process that means stringent requirements of the DfE. Our independent Compliance Department ensures this process is strictly adhered to and that all applications are objectively assessed. All candidates are treated equally and fairly throughout the process.
DBS Disclosure Information Policy Statement-Handling, Use, Storage, Retention and Disposal of Disclosures As an organisation using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to help assess the suitability of applicants for positions of trust, we comply fully with the DBS Code of Practice regarding the correct handling, use , storage, retention and disposal of Disclosures and Disclosure information. It also complies fully with its obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998 and other relevant legislation pertaining to the safe handling, use storage, retention and disposal of Disclosure information and has a written policy on these matters, which is available to those who wish to see it on request.
Time Sheets All timesheets are handled directly between the school and Supply Desk. Please ensure you sign in and out of the workplace premises so there is a record of you being there and also for health and safety purposes.
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OUR COMPLIANCE SERVICE
Once you have completed your registration form, your application will then be processed and cleared in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022 by our central Compliance Team based in Sheffield. The whole team will work on your application, ensuring all outstanding documentation from yourself is obtained, your references are on file and any relevant third-party checks are completed.
CONTACT DETAILS Ellice Marsden - Compliance Manager E: ellice.marsden@supplydesk.co.uk T: 0114 399 5262 Rebecca Hardie - Senior Compliance Officer & Safeguarding Lead E: rebecca.hardie@supplydesk.co.uk T: 0114 257 2716 Grace Taylor - Compliance Officer E: grace.taylor@supplydesk.co.uk T: 0114 257 2716 Brogan Nugent - Compliance Officer E: brogan.nugent@supplydesk.co.uk T: 0114 257 2716 Jamie Parker - Compliance Officer E: jamie.parker@supplydesk.co.uk T: 0114 257 2716 Chloe Lea - Compliance Officer E: chloe.lea@supplydesk.co.uk T: 0114 257 0118 Laura Sykes - Compliance Officer E: laura.sykes@supplydesk.co.uk T: 0114 257 0665
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How do we Support our Candidates We work hard to establish a personal relationship with our candidates from the outset. Candidates are contacted on a regular basis by their dedicated recruitment consultants in order to ascertain their individual preferences, needs and availability. If you are interested in a long-term position, your consultant can discuss with you exactly what type of role you are looking for. They will have gained a clear picture, not only of the types of schools you would be happy in but also which schools would best suit you. Their job will now be to approach schools on your behalf and find positions that will be of interest.
We take time to get to know our candidates and learn what would be a best-fit environment for them, resulting in longlasting relationships and better matching between you and our local schools!
Your consultant will keep you informed every step of the way by telephone, text and via email. They will discuss with you the positions they have found and let you know each time they send your CV out to a school.
Once you accept a position we will confirm in writing the terms of the placement both with you and the school. Your consultant will have discussed with you what your pay rate will be.
Should the school wish to place you on contract directly, again your recruitment consultant will advise you on what salary you can expect. However, the school are likely to discuss this with you at the interview stage. At any stage of the process, do not hesitate to contact your recruitment consultant or branch manager and ask questions about anything that you feel will assist you in making the right decision. During your placement your consultant will be in regular contact with you and should you require any additional assistance, the team are always on hand to support you through your placement. Please ensure that you have read and understood your Terms of Engagement, which will have been sent to you during the recruitment process.
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So what happens next? Once you are cleared and ready to go, your consultant will contact you and let you know what the next steps will be.
Our promise to you, we will; Complete your application process as quickly as possible and keep you informed at all times. Provide you with travel information on how to get to your assignment if needed. Always try to offer you the type of work you are looking for. Endeavour to pay your correct wages and on time. Support, advice and guidance when required.
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Top Tips Once you are cleared and ready to go, your consultant will contact you and let you know what the next steps will be.
Be ready for calls from Supply Desk from 07:00 am and be ready to leave your house immediately.
Always check your travel before hand if pre-booked.
Leave handover notes and try to find the contact at the end of the day to relay any relevant information and to inform them about your availability to work.
If you cannot honour a booking please give us as much notice as possible. If it is on the day of the booking due to sickness etc. please call (not email or text) the Supply Desk office at 7 am. We will inform your school. If you are in a longterm booking you will also need to send the cover work through.
Always take the appropriate resources (pens, pencils, paper etc.)
Be professional at all times and do not discuss any personal information about yourself.
Make sure anything the schools gives you e.g. keys, registers, laptops etc. are returned at the end of the day.
Ensure you adhere to health and safety guidelines, especially in subjects like DT, Science, PE etc.
Don't leave pupils unattended. Be professional at all times and do not discuss any personal information about yourself.
Do not make a booking yourself, always refer the contact back to Supply Desk if they would like to book you. This way things are clear and will not get confused. Also, do not give your contact details to the school unless agreed to by Supply Desk.
Always introduce yourself to the named contact you have been given and carry your original DBS and photo ID (passport or driving license) to every assignment.
Make yourself familiar with the school guidelines. policies and procedures. It is especially beneficial if you are aware of and can implement the behaviour policy (this can usually be found on the schools website)
Adhere to our Physical Intervention Policy and ensure that you request and read a copy of the school's Child Protection Policy.
Follow lesson plans where they have been set. If for some reason the lesson set is not working, check with the school what they would like you to do. Do not change the plans without consulting someone in the school for permission to do so.
Please request and read a copy of the school's Health and Safety Policy, make sure you are aware of the First Aid Guidelines and know who to contact in the case of an emergency.
If you need to contact us after the office is closed you can call the office number and it will be diverted to our out of hours' phone service. This is available up to 9 pm for any emergency calls e.g. if you are unable to make a booking the next day.
You should make yourself fully aware of the contents of your Terms of Engagement and adhere to its requirements at all times.
Please dress appropriately. In Secondary School the correct attire would be smartly dresses. In Primary and SEN Schools, smart casual dress - no jeans or trainers.
We advise you to arrive early in order to familiarise yourself with the layout of the school, any special instructions regarding the pupils you will be working with, health and safety arrangements and the school's expectations of you.
Check your phone (adhering to school policies) at break, lunchtime and after school as we may have sent you a text about a future booking.
Reply to availability calls/texts and keep us updated on your availability if it should change. However, Do not use your phone in class or in the presence of any pupils as this could be a conduct/safeg uarding issue. Make sure your phone is switched off whilst you are working.
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Day-to-Day Cover Once you are cleared and ready to work, your recruitment consultant will check your availability. It is imperative with day-to-day supply that you keep in regular contact with the branch team and maintain an available diary. This will allow your consultant to book you, where possible, for work in advance. Your requirements will be discussed on a regular basis with your dedicated recruitment consultant, and they will have been entered into our database, kept consistently monitored and amended to fit in with your requirements. Our branches are open from 7:00 am until 17:30 pm Monday to Thursday and 7:00 am until 5:00 pm on Fridays. Although the team will attempt to secure your work in advance there are occasions when you will receive your bookings for the day on the morning of the assignment. When you receive a booking you will be given all the details of the day's placement: The school's name and address, the school contact, arrival time and a reminder to take your DBS and photo ID with you. The school will tell us what time they expect you to arrive but in general you should arrive at 8:15 am. If you receive the booking on the morning of the assignment we will let the school know where you are travelling from and what time to expect you. Please be aware that the amount of daily supply that you receive is very much dependant on the demands of the schools. For example, the months of September and July are generally quieter than the interviewing months. The Spring Term is by far the busiest term for day-to-day work.
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Day-to-Day Supply Tips
Having standby resources in electronic format (please check with the school before using) may also be useful when teaching in schools with interactive whiteboard or in class IT facilities. When accepting day-to-day supply work, always make a note of the name and address of the school along with the contact person's name (some schools have a separate person in charge of staff cover) if applicable and any directions - including nearest bus stop or train station or special instructions you are given. When you have worked in a school, keeping note of which class you worked with, and maybe a small comment to jog your memory for a future reminder, may help if you later return to the school. Always leave home in plenty of time so that you can avoid turning up late to schools. Sometimes, delays are unavoidable but take our branch number with you and always call us if you are running late or have any problems getting to the school so that we can inform them of your estimated time of arrival. It is when schools are left stranded without supply people for first period that they start to panic but we can update them as to where you are and reassure them you are on your way. There are occasions when schools will ring us as later in the day to book a candidate. If you accept a late booking, we will let the school know where you are coming from and will give them a rough idea of when you will arrive. When you first arrive in a school for a day's supply work, report in at the office and seek out the contact we have given you or the person in charge of staff supply cover.
Click here to access your dedicated branch page to find out branch opening and closing times, contact numbers and email addresses.
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Day-to-Day Supply tips Ensure you establish these important facts before you begin your day of teaching. The location of your class, the staffroom and staff toilets. The name of the person you are covering for. If the absent person has left any work or instructions you should follow. The names of any children who have special education needs you should be aware of. These could range from behavioural, emotional or physical needs, health or medical requirements, children who may be late or need to leave early. The day's timetable and break times and whether you will be required to undertake break duties. Events or routines which need adhering to i.e. assemblies, class visitors and library or computer suite times etc.
Ask to see a copy of the School's Child Protection Policy, Behaviour Policy and other policies or procedures that are relevant to your time there and familiarise yourself with them. Most schools and academies have their policies and procedures on their websites.
Any newsletters or items which need to be distributed to the children for them to take home. Duties or further responsibilities you will need to carry out Introduce yourself to any teaching assistants or teachers you'll be working with.
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Behaviour Management It can be difficult to establish relationships and enforce rules with pupils that don’t know you when you are working on such a short term basis so you need to be in top of things classroom management wise. Below are some ideas which may help you to avoid confrontation with pupils. Your aims are to be a successful classroom manager and to have a calm day with minimal disruption and these pointers are designed to facilitate this. Firstly remember that the calmer you are the calmer the pupils are likely to be. Try to make sure that you do not bring any stress that you are carrying into the classroom. Pupils pick up on the slightest thing so maintain a positive calm exterior. Consciously use positive and assertive language. Begin at the beginning and focus on behaviour right from the start of the lesson. Use rewards, praise and sanctions in line with the school’s behaviour policy.Once you have established your classroom rules, frequent referral to these rules to positively encourage adherence is an important function within a successfully managed classroom.
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Keeping Children Safe in Education We positively promote the well-being of children and expect all candidates to adhere to the laws in regard to working with children. If a child starts talking to you about the abuse, neglect or mistreatment they are suffering: Listen to them in a calm and reassuring manner. Let them freely recall what is important to them. Keep any questions you must ask neutral, do not ask leading questions. Don’t promise you won’t tell anyone else, you must report it immediately to the designated safeguarding officer. Remember, you may well be the first person the child has ever spoken to about this. You must treat the account seriously and report it. Make a note of the discussion, when and where it happened, who was present and what the child said. In view of your daily contact with children working through us, you are well placed to observe abuse or neglect. It is your responsibility to report suspected or alleged abuse. If you are working within a school it is your duty to take note not only of major incidents, but also of signals which give cause for suspicion or concern. If you are working outside of the school environment (e.g. tuition at the pupils’ home) it is your duty to report any concerns to the Local Designated Safeguarding Officer at the appropriate Council. Do not discuss any disclosure a child makes with parents or carers.
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At the End of the Working Day Leave notes for the absent person to let them know how the pupils behaved and how much work was covered. Return any keys, visitor's badges etc to reception and any documentation, pupil notes etc. that you have been asked to complete to the relevant person. If you encountered any major incidents during the course of the day then make sure that they have been reported to the appropriate contact/safeguarding lead/senior members of staff. If you enjoyed your day, make sure you tell the person in charge of staff supply. Schools appreciate positive feedback and like to ensure they have candidates who assimilate well with their school's ethos. This is a great way to promote yourself and encourages future invitations back to the school. Keep in regular contact with our team of consultants. Keep us informed of the school/classes you really enjoyed or those you would prefer not to go back to. This helps us ensure we work together with you, to provide you with the most fulfilling and enjoyable supply experiences.
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Earn £50 for EVERY recommendation you make!
Refer a
Friend
By simply recommending teachers or teaching professionals to Supply Desk, you can start earning today! Just visit our website, or simply scan the QR code below to register their details. Alternatively, you can contact your local Supply Desk branch.
It really is as simple as that!
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