Part of 2. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:13 pm on 4 July 2017.
This will become easier when teachers’ pay and conditions are devolved, but it is right to say that—. I’ve heard it myself in my own constituency about people complaining about agency fees that are paid. There’s no requirement, as far as I can see, that local authorities have to go through an agency; it’s just that they choose to go through an agency. Nor are they required to go through a particular agency, nor are school heads, necessarily. I think it is important that local authorities examine the way in which supply teachers are provided in their areas, even though it’s a matter, I believe, for school heads, rather than local authorities, to make sure that school heads themselves understand that there are options available to them when it comes to recruiting supply staff.