A job evaluation exercise revealed that support staff in schools across the borough were not being paid at the right level. Those staff who have been underpaid are legally entitled to six years' back pay.
A similar exercise has been carried out across England, but Sandwell Council has taken the decision to pass the liability onto schools, unions say.
The expected bill for schools in Sandwell could exceed £35m, unions say. Special schools, where a lot of support staff are required, are particularly at risk.
The Orchard School, a special school for two to 11-year-olds with severe learning difficulties or complex physical needs, is facing a bill of £2.2m.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
