We call on the Government to fund a statutory pay premium above the National Living Wage for all frontline educational, childcare and healthcare support workers to reflect their essential role in emotional co-regulation and pastoral care.

We feel the roles of teaching assistants, early years practitioners, residential care workers, & psychiatric healthcare assistants require intensive emotional labour. However, many of these vital workers are some of the lowest paid professionals in the country. This can lead to widespread burnout, long hours, & recruitment crises. We believe we cannot expect workers to co-regulate & support others when their own financial security & well-being are under threat. The government should value and properly fund this essential workforce.