The Vital Role of Teaching Assistants

Teaching Assistants are central to effective classroom support. They help pupils access learning, provide targeted interventions and support children with additional needs across all phases of education.

As schools face increasing demands on staffing and support provision, recruiting skilled Teaching Assistants has become more important than ever.

What is the GCA Framework?

The Government Commercial Agreement (GCA) Framework provides schools and academy trusts with a compliant route to access approved education recruitment suppliers.

Rather than conducting a separate procurement exercise, schools can work with pre-approved providers who have already met framework standards.

Recruiting Teaching Assistants Through the Framework

Schools can use framework suppliers to recruit:

• General Teaching Assistants
• SEND Teaching Assistants
• 1:1 Support Assistants
• Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs)
• Behaviour Support Assistants
• Intervention Teaching Assistants
• Specialist SEND Support Staff

Common Recruitment Challenges

Many schools experience difficulties when recruiting support staff because:

• Candidate availability varies significantly by region
• SEND experience is increasingly in demand
• Urgent vacancies require rapid solutions
• Schools need confidence in safeguarding and compliance checks

Benefits of Using Framework Suppliers

Faster Access to Candidates

Framework suppliers maintain active databases of Teaching Assistants and support staff.

Improved Compliance

All recruitment activity operates within established safeguarding and vetting standards.

Flexibility

Schools can recruit for both temporary and permanent positions depending on operational needs.

Specialist SEND Support

Many Teaching Assistant vacancies involve supporting pupils with additional needs, making specialist recruitment expertise particularly valuable.

What Should Schools Look For?

When recruiting Teaching Assistants, schools should prioritise:

• Relevant school-based experience
• SEND knowledge where appropriate
• Communication skills
• Behaviour management experience
• Commitment to safeguarding
• Ability to build positive pupil relationships

Teaching Assistants play a crucial role in delivering effective education and supporting pupil outcomes. The GCA Framework provides schools with a straightforward and compliant way to access recruitment expertise and secure high-quality support staff when they need them most.

Read more about the GCA Framework here.