Teaching assistant agency? Is it worth it? How does it work?

[Obsesetits]

I’m looking at teaching assistant jobs, I already currently work in a school but only 10 hours a week and I’m employed through the school themselves. I keep seeing a lot of teaching assistant positions come up but they seem to be through agencies.. and I don’t know if this is putting me off applying?

doesn’t anyone know exactly how it works? If I get employed through the agency does it affect pay/hours.. can I just be let go as and when they don’t need me? If I’m not needed anywhere will I still get paid by the agency? I find it very confusing.

Agency offer work when school needs it so it will be a bit unreliable and different schools each day or week and they do not pay when you don't work.

Agencies find staff on behalf if schools. Be aware you will probably get paid via an umbrella company, which you will get charged for. You are used until you are no longer needed, or the school doesn't like your work. I believe after 12 weeks you have the same rights as other staff, re: sick pay.
Schools are full of agency staff. Its a good way to find work, and leave if you dont like the job/school, but financially you'll be worse of then those employed directly by the school. After some time you may be offered a permanent job with the school, who pay the agency a 'finders' fee.

Hmm yes this doesn’t sound like a route I wasn’t to go down. I need the commitment of financial security.

all the bloody jobs around here are all through an agency though which is frustrating.

That’s because they’re not real jobs. If schools want an actual TA they will advertise in the usual way. The ones for agencies are just to have people on their books just in case - they don’t actually have a job for you.