Professional Services
Advice is provided on:

> Contractual Duties
> Superannuation and Retirement
> Sickness Leave and Pay
> Maternity Leave and Pay
> Disciplinary Matters
> Grievances
> Health and Safety Matters
> Extra-Curricular Activities
> Transfer
> Employment Rights
> Other Conditions of Service
> Workplace Bullying/Harassment

Members who require advice do not require to make first contact with the School Representative. If the issue relates to locally negotiated conditions, the first point of contact should be with the District Secretary. Most issues (especially disciplinary issues and grievance) require that contact is made with the General Secretary. The school representative may advise on school based arrangement e.g. the Working Time Agreement.

Free legal advice and representation, whenever necessary, on all professional matters.

Free Insurance for legal liability for injury and damage: The Association insures members against claims arising from legal liability for accidental injury to pupils or any other person, for damage to property of pupils or any other person and for accidental injury or damage to property caused by pupils in the care of members. This cover operates while the members are acting in the discharge of their duties, obligatory or voluntary, as teachers. The policy provides cover up to a limit of £1,000,000.

Legal Advice: Legal advice on any non-professional matter can be obtained by telephone, free of charge, 8.30am until 10.00pm Monday to Friday. Members are issued with a card giving the telephone number and other information.

Organisation: The supreme authority of the Association lies in Congress held in the Spring of each year. The principal body with executive powers is Council which is elected for two years and meets three times each year. An Executive committee is elected by Council. Members are elected to Congress and Council to represent the 32 local authority districts. Standing committees of the Association, elected by Council advise on all educational and service matters. Council is also advised by Panels for special education, headteachers, health and safety and women's issues.

All members benefit from the following schemes:

• Automobile Association offers discount on annual direct debit or credit card payments;
• Car Purchase: a garage concession has arranged a scheme for SSTA members to purchase new or nearly-new cars at specially discounted prices; credit and trade-in facilities available ;
• Diary: the Association issues each member with an annual academic diary free of charge; 
• Ramada Jarvis Hotels Group has arranged discount of up to 50% on short breaks at over 60 hotels throughout the UK; 
• Holiday Inn Hotels & Crowne Plazza has arranged discounts and various special offers for SSTA members;
• Lawline card where free legal telephone and e-mail advice, including domestic, commercial and conveyancing is available.
• National Car Rental and Guy Salmon Prestige Rental offer members competitive car hire rates, which are checked daily against those of competitors, on national and international hires. Customers may choose from a fleet of standard and luxury vehicles.

FINANCIAL / INSURANCE SERVICES

* Additional pension provision; *personal and vehicle insurance schemes; *insurance discounts; *financial services 

Personal effects insurance scheme: limited insurance cover is available against theft, loss or damage of members' personal effects whilst engaged in professional duties; 

Malicious damage to motor vehicles: limited insurance cover is provided against damage through malicious intent to members' vehicles while undertaking professional duties (note: accidental damage/loss in the pursuance of theft is not covered);

Discounted general insurance services: The Association has obtained the services of an insurance brokerage which offers to provide members with a full service on all aspects of personal insurance, particularly household and motor insurance. Direct discounts through SSTA agencies are also available;

Travel insurance: an extremely competitive rate has been negotiated with a leading broker which allows a member and family to travel both nationally and internationally for minimal cost;

Life assurance, savings, investments, pensions, etc.: by special arrangement a full range of financial services is provided for members by a leading company of independent financial advisers.