Supply teacher furlough (non-agency!)

hiuaf7

Hi, I am hoping that somebody can help and provide some advice please.
My partner has been a supply teacher for the last 7 years, and has been pretty consistently employed full-time throughout this period. She has always worked for the same council/education authority, so am I correct in thinking that they can be considered as her employer?
She has spent the whole of this school year covering a long-term absence, and has continued to work for the school since the crisis began. She has worked from home, providing distance learning for the children, and has also worked in the school directly to look after vulnerable children and those with key worker parents.
The person that she has been covering is now returning to work next week, which means that my partner's services are no longer required. Under normal circumstances she would be able to pick up supply work in a number of other local schools, however this is not possible with them being closed.
Where does she stand in terms of being furloughed? We are hoping that she is eligible for the scheme, however any guidance that we can find only relates to those employed by an agency. She does not have a contract, but has been consistently paid by the local council for so long, surely they are her employers? Also, if she is eligible, does this need to be arranged by the headteacher of the school that she has been working for, the local authority or herself? 
Any help would be greatly appreciated as we are more than a little concerned!
Many thanks!

poppy12345

If she's employed by her local council then they are not expected to use the furlough scheme because they are the local council. Surely she has some sort of contract if she's been working for 7 years?

hiuaf7

No she does not have a contract as she typically takes on long-term placements, whereby they do not actually provide one. 7 years of consistent work should negate the need for one though surely?
What do you mean by "the local council not being expected to use the scheme because they are the local council?" You've confused me there - they are an employer are they not? And the furlough scheme is open to all employers is it not? Sorry but I'm just looking for some genuine help and guidance in what is an extremely difficult and confusing situation. 

sharpe106

They are an employer yes but it is not expected that public sector will use it as basically they are still being funded. The majority can not say they have lost money, they are just using it for other things. 

Has she been working constantly for 7 years or has there been breaks?

[Deleted User]

Normally, if paid directly by the body, you are on a fixed term contract. The problem is, being a public body, surely they wouldn't have furloughed their workers so they may ask why they would make an exception. Very harsh and one rare occasion when she might HAVE been better off as agency staff. It seems she's between a rock and a hard place. 

hiuaf7

sharpe106 said:

They are an employer yes but it is not expected that public sector will use it as basically they are still being funded. The majority can not say they have lost money, they are just using it for other things. 

Has she been working constantly for 7 years or has there been breaks?

Thanks, that makes sense. It seems like she is one of those 'exceptions' who falls through the cracks - looks like we're pretty buggered.
Yes it has been consistent, with the obvious exception of school holidays.
It is just extremely frustrating when the employer is seemingly unprepared to help their staff, in spite of the service and dedication that she has given - particularly during this crisis.

hiuaf7

WFranklin71 said:

Normally, if paid directly by the body, you are on a fixed term contract. The problem is, being a public body, surely they wouldn't have furloughed their workers so they may ask why they would make an exception. Very harsh and one rare occasion when she might HAVE been better off as agency staff. It seems she's between a rock and a hard place. 

Thank you - it does appear that way. So frustrating and worrying but it appears that there is no help available; shocking considering the work that she has done over the years.

[Deleted User]

hiuaf7 said:

WFranklin71 said:

Normally, if paid directly by the body, you are on a fixed term contract. The problem is, being a public body, surely they wouldn't have furloughed their workers so they may ask why they would make an exception. Very harsh and one rare occasion when she might HAVE been better off as agency staff. It seems she's between a rock and a hard place. 

Thank you - it does appear that way. So frustrating and worrying but it appears that there is no help available; shocking considering the work that she has done over the years.

Totally agree with you. If it were me, I wouldn't give up without trying though. Maybe she could politely approach the Head and ask her advice. It could lead to positive dialogue. 

kaMelo

Also bear in mind the last day for a newly furloughed employee is the 10th June so not much time to play with either.