Supply Agency Furlough

[AnneShirley18]

Hi, having found that the Tes community forum was deleted, I'm delighted to discover this corner of mumsnet! My query is this: I did long term supply all last year so luckily was working and had income throughout the various lockdown. My position finished on 18th December. Just wondering if any agency staff received furlough last year as 6 weeks ( potentially longer) without work will really sting. TIA for any replies

Hi, I'm in the same position as a supply teacher too. I had a long term booking last term and another one lined up for this term too. I rang the agency last week and cancelled it because of covid crisis. The consultant was really annoyed with me and now I wonder if I will I be eligible for furlough or punished for cancelling. What advice can you give?

In my School we paid our long term supply staff member during the last lockdown - as we thought it was the right thing to do.

With your contract ending - the best thing to do would be to contact the agency? see if they have the provisions in place to Furlough?

Carolyn oh no - with you cancelling it last week you have probably shot yourself in the foot - if you had a long term booking, if it was a nice school, the school would probably have agreed to pay you for it!

I was doing supply last year when we went into lockdown and my part time booking to the end of the summer was cancelled. I was furloughed through my agency until the end of August. Pay was based on monthly average. After that schools were opening but also the furlough rules changed so employers (the agency) had to contribute more so they stopped all furlough.

It's probably best to ask the agency.

Thanks everyone. Yes I've been reading up on it and the contribution agencies are expected to pay has gone from 5% to 20% which isn't leaving me much hope. I've been putting off the agency phone call but better bite the bullet. Thanks again.

I was furloughed last time as well as I’m a supply TA. The agency contacted me asking if I was prepared to be furloughed and I had to agree to it. Not sure what’s happening yet, but seeing as everything has only just been announced it’s still early days.