The NASUWT prides itself on providing a first-class casework service to members facing employment-related difficulties.

The Union is extremely fortunate to have an extensive network of lay officers who deliver casework services and support on the ground. The Union has 34 Executive Districts covering the UK which are supported by National Executive Members and Local Association Officers.

The lay structure is supplemented by paid officials who are based across nine Regional Centres in England and at the National Centres in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In addition, specialist staff are based at the Union’s Headquarters in Birmingham, who provide support across the UK. There is also a dedicated advice service for all members in England. Details are below.

The Union’s casework services include:

  • advice on all aspects of employment including terms and conditions, school policies, maternity rights, pay, redundancy and discrimination;

  • the defence of disciplinary allegations or capability proceedings;

  • advice and representation with grievances,

  • negotiation of Settlement Agreements, where appropriate;

  • advice regarding DBS certificates and/or DBS barring;

  • advice and representation in the defence of teacher regulation investigations by the:

    • National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL)
    • Education Workforce Council (EWC)
    • General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)
    • General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI);

  • engagement with Acas Early Conciliation, where appropriate;

  • advice and representation with the pursuit of Employment Tribunal claims, including for unfair dismissal/redundancy, unlawful deductions, or discrimination on the grounds of one or more of the protected characteristics, where claims are deemed to have reasonable prospects of success.

For more information regarding eligibility for the NASUWT Casework Assistance Scheme, please use the link on the right/below.

Where to get advice

In the Union’s experience, work-related issues are often best dealt with at local level. Members requiring assistance should, in the first instance, contact their workplace NASUWT Representative. If the particular problem proves to be incapable of resolution within the workplace, then advice should be sought from the appropriate NASUWT Local Association or Negotiating Secretary (login).

England

NASUWT members in England can also access advice and information on employment-related issues by emailing the Member Support Advice Team.

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Members in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales should contact their respective National Centre.

If the matter cannot be resolved by telephone advice, the case may be referred by the MSA Team to the appropriate NASUWT Local Association or Negotiating Secretary (login) or, depending on the issue, be escalated to the National Executive Member (login), or a paid official at the Regional or National Centre.