Independent Secretariat Service for School Support Staff Negotiating Body

The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking an independent secretariat service provider to support the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB), established under the Employment Rights Act 2025. This body brings together employer and employee representatives to negotiate school support staff pay, terms and conditions. The successful provider will deliver comprehensive secretariat and governance support that goes beyond basic administration. You will help create conditions for constructive negotiations while maintaining complete impartiality and independence from employers, employees, and the DfE. Key responsibilities include: - Providing governance and secretariat support to the SSSNB and its Chair, including developing operating models, coordinating meetings, preparing agendas and papers, tracking actions, and recording decisions - Facilitating effective engagement and relationship management between the Chair, employer representatives, employee representatives, DfE officials and other stakeholders - Supporting evidence gathering, research, analysis and reporting activities - Preparing briefings, recommendations and supporting documentation - Coordinating the SSSNB's work programme and ensuring smooth delivery The DfE welcomes applications from Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), as well as consortia and collaborative bids from all organisation types.