1. COVID
If I have to self-isolate, am I entitled to statutory sick pay?
The 10 days COVID-19 temporary provision of normal pay is now reduced to a maximum of five calendar days.
Where a teacher has been engaged through NISTR and is required to self-isolate, they can avail of the five calendar days normal pay.
If I receive a call to cover a teacher's class who is off with COVID symptoms & I am using that teacher's desk, is it acceptable for me to bring my own cleaning materials to the school or should the school have deep cleaned the workstation in anticipation of my arrival?
The Chief Medical Officer and PHA have now confirmed that enhanced cleaning is not required in most circumstances where there is a confirmed case of Covid-19. Normal cleaning is deemed appropriate and therefore the standard clean at the end or start of the day is sufficient. The Rapid Response Cleaning Teams were therefore stood down in this capacity by week commencing 20 September 2021.
As a minimum, frequently touched surfaces should be wiped down twice a day and one of these should be at the beginning or the end of the school day. EA cleaning staff will continue to undertake the normal cleaning regime at the end of each school day.
How do I deal with a pupil showing symptoms of Covid-19? As a sub teacher, I have not received any training on this, unlike permanent members of staff.
If you have concerns about the health of a child in your class you should follow the school policy and procedures, these will be laid out in the school guidance which should be provided and explained to you on your arrival.
Should every school have a H&S risk assessment drawn up specifically for sub teachers and if so, should this be available for public viewing on their school website?
DE / HSCNI has confirmed there is no longer a requirement for COVID-19 specific risk assessments for schools and staff.
DE / HSCNI has confirmed there is no longer a requirement for COVID-19 specific risk assessments for staff who are vulnerable and pregnant. This is in line with the normal situation where an overall general employers’ risk assessment for staff is sufficient for pregnant staff.
I am pregnant and unsure whether I can continue to sub in schools. Do I need to inform the school? Does the school need to provide me with extra protection?
HSCNI has confirmed there is no longer a requirement for COVID-19 specific risk assessments for staff at higher risk of various health issues, previously defined as falling into the following categories:
- Clinically Vulnerable
- Clinically Extremely Vulnerable
- Pregnant members of staff
- BAME
HSCNI Supplementary Note: An overall general employers’ risk assessment for staff at risk of various health issues will suffice for vulnerable staff. A general pregnancy assessment may include COVID risks but there is no requirement for an additional COVID specific assessment for this group. People with a higher risk due to existing medical conditions, pregnant women, carers, the elderly etc., are all eligible for an autumn booster vaccination and this is the primary intervention in preventing the worst harms of COVID-19 present. Other public health messages around hygiene and ventilation still stand.
I am 28 weeks pregnant and have been medically advised not to go to work. I don’t want to take the risk. Does this mean that my OMP will be affected negatively – Is there anything that can be done by DE as this is due to COVID?
Advice is based on personal circumstance. We advise you contact Teachers’ Pay Branch in Derry to discuss your personal details:
Must I inform the school of my recent work history?
No.
If you have received a directive to self-isolate, then you would not be available to work. When the school is booking you through NISTR they are booking you with the assumption that you are available to work at their school.
2. PENSIONS
I am a retired teacher considering subbing, what will be the impact on my pension?
Retired teachers in the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Pension Scheme, can take on supply teaching without impact to their pension as long as they do not earn more in retirement than they would have if they remained in employment. If pension plus supply earnings are greater than the “salary of reference” (the salary on which the pension was based uprated for inflation), the pension is abated.
There is scope for a retired teacher to work before they reach the point of exceeding their salary of reference and abatement of pension takes effect so this should have a limited impact in the short to medium term.
INTO have clarified the following with DE
- Abatement is only a feature of the Final Salary pension scheme and is not included in the more recent Career Average Scheme.
- There is no discretion within the NITPS regulations for abatement to be dis-applied.
- Any change to the current rules would require the regulations to be to be amended following a consultation process.
INTO would further advise retired teachers to contact INTO to reinstate their membership while providing supply cover. As a supply teacher you will only pay for the days you work.
CLICK HERE for more information on our current types and rates of membership.
