UNISON Northern

Today, we launch our Local Service Champions Award nominations! 🏆

Do you know a local government worker who deserves recognition? Nominate them today!

Check eligibility & and nominate 👇
buff.ly/EliJS0S

#LocalServiceChampions

Blog post: Life as an Enhanced Teaching Assistant by Nicky Bush - UNISON Northern What we do isn't just educational support. It's so much more. We're counsellors when someone is struggling, comforters when someone needs a safe place to cry, and advocates when our children can't…

That’s a wrap! 🎉

Thanks for following my #StarsInOurSchools celebration and to UNISON for letting me take over social media today to talk about my wonderful colleagues.

Missed my blog about the day? Read it below 👇
northern.unison.org.uk/news/article...

Finally, we have Suzanne, an Enhanced Teaching Assistant like me! 🌟

With over 20 years at Villa Real, she’s an essential part of the team - supporting pupils and staff alike.

#StarsInOurSchools

Next up is Paul, our Health & Safety Manager! 🙌

He makes sure every trip and activity is safe for pupils and staff.

Thanks to Paul, our school is a safer, happier place!

#StarsInOurSchools

Next up is Andrew, our brilliant IT Network Manager!

We rely on him for everything - from creating amazing resources and finding the best apps to fixing the photocopier. Without Andrew, things wouldn’t run as smoothly or be half as fun!

#StarsInOurSchools ✨

Our second star✨is Kathryn.

Kathryn has only worked at Villa Real for only a few months but is already working like she's been here for ever!

Pupil-focused, kind and efficient just like all our fabulous office staff.

#StarsInOurSchools ⭐

A photo of Robin and Ian wearing hi viz clothing on school grounds and the stars in our schools logo

Meet our first #StarsInOurSchools: Caretakers Robin & Ian! 🌟

They look after the school, the grounds, the hydro pool, and support our domestic team meeting every need and want!

They speak to every pupil with warmth and fun, making our school a brighter place.

Nicky

Thank you to UNISON Northern’s Regional Secretary, Clare Williams, for your message on #StarsInOurSchools ✨ celebration day.

Recognising the hard work school support staff do 👏

Nicky

Blog post: Life as an Enhanced Teaching Assistant by Nicky Bush - UNISON Northern What we do isn't just educational support. It's so much more. We're councillors when someone is struggling, comforters when someone needs a safe place to cry, and advocates when our children can't…

Hello! I’m Nicky, an Enhanced Teaching Assistant.

Today is #StarsInOurSchools! ✨

I’m taking over UNISON’s social media to celebrate school support staff.

To get us started read my blog on what it’s like to be an Enhanced Teaching Assistant 👇
northern.unison.org.uk/news/article...

#TeamUNISON just got a little bit bigger. 💜 💚

Congratulations to the brand new, now fully trained reps working in local government, energy and health! ✊

If you want to get involved in UNISON get in touch! 👇
northern.unison.org.uk/getactive/

Don't forget you have until 1 December to nominate a star in your school and they could win a £250 shopping voucher.

Nominate now 👇
forms.office.com/e/5044P4ftHR

UNISON Northern regional convenor is celebrating #StarsinOurSchools week. ✨

How are you celebrating? 🥳

Do you want to join Jane in shaping the future of school support staff pay and, terms and conditions?

Become a support staff champion👇
www.unison.org.uk/SSSNBChampions

This week is Stars In Our Schools week! ⭐

Starting the week off school support staff at West View Primary school, Hartlepool, celebrated with a well earned break. 👏

#StarsInOurSchools ✨

We are running a seminar on nursing and midwifery placements.

🟢 Understand about your rights on placement
🟣 Learn about the NMC Practice Learning review
🟢 Share experiences and insights into what helps, and what hinders, practice learning

Sign up 👇
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5d3068...

Stars in Our Schools UNISON celebrating all school support staff

Just one week to go until UNISON’s #starsinourschools and #earlyyearsstars celebration day ⭐️ This special day gives us the chance to shout loud and proud about the amazing support staff in schools and early years settings so make sure you get involved! www.starsinourschools.uk

We are running a seminar on nursing and midwifery placements.

🟢 Understand about your rights on placement
🟣 Learn about the NMC Practice Learning review
🟢 Share experiences and insights into what helps, and what hinders, practice learning

Sign up 👇
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5d3068...

As part of #starsinourschools and #earlyyearsstars – we’ve opened nominate a star.

This prize draw is all about recognising the wonderful contribution of support staff in schools and early years settings.

Find out more - unsn.uk/3SJsH6e

👀 UNISON member? Check your post for your ballot pack ✉️

UNISON's general secretary election is your chance to choose who represents you and your union in the media, with politicians, and key negotiations.

📮 Post back in the prepaid envelope
#YourVoiceYourVote

November is the TUC Young Workers Month

If you are 30 or under, we want to hear about how the cost of living is impacting on you.

Take the survey 👇
bit.ly/4i6KLSN

Nominate a star — Stars in Our Schools This is your chance to let a member of school support staff know how much you value the fantastic work they do. Anyone can nominate a school support staff worker for entry into a prize draw to win a…

The nominate a star prize draw is open until 28 November. If you know a support staff member working in a school or early years who goes above and beyond in their role, nominate them today 👉 unsn.uk/3QX1nQH

#starsinourschools #earlyyearsstars

Do you work in a college or sixth form?

UNISON wants to hear from you about your experiences of behaviour problems involving students. We have launched a survey to find out more about the behaviour problems you are facing.

Take the survey 👇
buff.ly/TFzCJtW

NHS pay figure is an insult to staff | News, Press release | News | UNISON National Head of health Helga Pile responds to suggested NHS pay rise

NHS pay figure is an insult to staff

Head of health Helga Pile responds to suggested NHS pay rise

#NHSPay

www.unison.org.uk/news/2025/10...?

Nursing & Midwifery Seminars

Join us for an interactive series of online discussions:

🟢 Making practice placements work for students
🟣 Regulation of advanced nursing & midwifery practice
🟢 Right band for the job, value nurses fairly

Register 👇
www.unison.org.uk/at-work/heal...

Voting for the UNISON general secretary is open 🗳️

🏠 Look out for your ballot paper in the post to your home address
📮 Vote and return using the Freepost envelope
➤ Let your friends and colleagues know

It's your chance to have a say in your union 👉 buff.ly/uVz1S4S

Financial Wellbeing Week 2025 | UNISON College learning and organising

Financial wellbeing week 10 - 14 Nov

This week-long series of sessions designed to help increase confidence with money management, understand debt and improve financial literacy.

Sign up to a session 👇

learning.unison.org.uk/financial-we...

Work shouldn’t feel scary 🎃 👻

This Halloween choose fairness over fear.

Join UNISON today ➡️ join.unison.org.uk

Voting for the UNISON general secretary is open 🗳️

🏠 Look out for your ballot paper in the post to your home address
📮 Vote and return using the Freepost envelope
➤ Let your friends and colleagues know by sharing

It's your chance to have a say in your union 👉 buff.ly/uVz1S4S

📢 New Real Living Wage rate announced by the Living Wage Foundation
➡️ £13.45 UK-wide
➡️ £14.80 in London
📈 Up 6.7% from 2024

Read UNISON's response here: unsn.uk/4ostNQr

Higher Education Pay 2025/26 | UNISON National There is a major crisis within higher education. After years of low pay, below inflation offers and with the continuing cost of living crisis – your pay

UNISON’s 2025/26 higher education pay strike ballot opens today! You should receive your ballot paper this week to your home address.

Check out the campaign page to access materials and the latest info: buff.ly/BIqr7dS

Members at Nexus (Tyne & Wear PTE Branch) supporting wear red day.

Don't forget to donate if you haven't already! ❤️