Campaigns Roundup

After a tumultuous week of parliamentary debates, the REC's campaigns team remains steadfast in advocating for the crucial issues that resonate with our members. Whether it's expediting DBS response times or engaging directly with newly elected policymakers, we're committed to ensuring that your voices carry weight and are genuinely heard. 

Delays to DBS checks 

In a recent survey conducted by the REC on DBS response times in the education sector, findings revealed that 51% of respondents faced delays of 4-6 weeks in obtaining DBS certificates for candidates. This starkly contrasts with the 14-day response time targeted by the DBS. We recognise the severe repercussions of these delays, particularly for supply teachers needed at short notice. Such prolonged waiting periods result in classrooms being left without teachers and lead to disruption in the education of our children. That's why we're actively campaigning alongside the education union NASUWT to urge the Department for Education and the DBS service to expedite the issuing of certificates. By addressing these delays, we aim to alleviate the strain on schools and businesses, ensuring a smoother and more efficient recruitment process for all involved. 

Mayoral Elections  

The REC is gearing up for active participation in the upcoming mayoral elections. We kindly request your support in engaging with candidates in your local areas to ensure that the issues and priorities important to our members are prominently featured at the forefront of the electoral agenda. If you're eager to contribute to our campaigning efforts with the mayoral candidates you can access the member manifesto template letter here.  Please don't hesitate to contact natasha.mpofu@rec.uk.com or usman.ali@rec.uk.com If you have any questions.  

Social Work consultation  

This week we submitted our response to the Department for Education's consultation on Child and family social workers: agency rules statutory guidance. In our response, the REC has reiterated the concerns of our members around the practical implementation of these rules in their current form. We have met with the department several times to discuss this and have continued to urge them not to rush the introduction of the rules to ensure they can be implemented as smoothly as possible. We will continue to engage with DfE and will keep our members informed of the latest developments on this issue. You can read our full submission on our Health and Social care page.  

Voice of the temps  

Join our upcoming campaign, "Voice of the Temps," dedicated to amplifying the voices of the often-overlooked temporary workforce that sustains vital industries such as the National Health Service, schools, and essential heavy industries. We urge you to support us in breaking away from the narrative that suggests every worker desires permanent and predictable employment. Please share anecdotes from candidates showcasing their invaluable contributions to the workplace and their experience working in temporary roles. Together, we can advocate for better recognition, support, and opportunities for this essential workforce. Email natasha.mpofu@rec.uk.com to champion the rights and voices of temporary workers everywhere. 

Research Update  

Earlier this month, the REC published its latest Labour Market Tracker, looking at January 2024 job posting data. The report found that there were 873,169 new job postings in January 2024, which is a 27.9% increase from the month before (December 2023). Occupations with notable increases in adverts in January 2024 include quality control and planning engineers (68.9%), childcare workers (55.8%), and probation officers (52.1%). This month’s LMT also looked at job postings in the early years sector, finding that active Early Education and Childcare Assistants in January 2024 are up 30.2% on pre-pandemic levels (February 2020), and active job postings for Primary Education Teaching Professionals are up 10.4% on pre-pandemic levels.  Our next publication is Report on Jobs, which will be published on 11 March.  

Media Corner 

Our Chief Executive, Neil Carberry, was prominent in a Financial Times article about why the Labour Party’s proposed measures on worker’s rights are causing some unease among some in the business community. Labour’s plans include banning zero-hour contracts, ending ‘fire and rehire’ tactics and giving staff protection against unfair dismissal from day one. Neil is concerned that the latter change risks fueling long, complex litigation. Separately, he said establishing a culture of collective bargaining in the private sector would be hard. Neil's view is that Labour is best advised to work with the grain of the labour market, and this is achievable by working with organisations such as REC.