Why I'm just an SSO

Many years ago, I was told to never say ‘just an SSO’. But in recent years, as classroom SSOs are increasingly treated as expendable, I’ve been made to feel that ‘just SSOs’ is exactly how we’re seen by the Department.

I consider myself lucky, with 15 hours of permanency, but I continue to contend with SSOs from other schools being placed at my site and reducing the additional hours available. Like so many SSOs, I wait every term to find out if I have additional hours, unable to plan for the future. I am consistently pressured to spread my 15 hours over 5 days. I had to fight for the right to negotiate my preferred hours. Everything is justified by budget and the needs of children, resulting in a culture of unstable work.

Unsustainable Hours

SSO work times are being concentrated in the mornings, justified by children’s ‘morning focus’. But children are at school and in need of support all day, and using this justification results in a lack of balance in the work week for SSOs, and an inability to be competitive for extra hours at other sites or at a second job. This means SSOs are unable to move into a sustainable pay bracket. In addition, many of us have been refused additional permanent hours, in spite of years spent working additional hours consistently.

Many schools now refuse to allow SSOs much-needed short breaks. Schools are increasingly applying pressure on SSOs to take no breaks throughout the day.

Throughout my career, I have dedicated hours of unpaid work to my role every week. I do this additional work for the sake of the students and teachers I work with every day, but without that extra work, I know my job would not be sustainable – nor do I believe my job would be secure.

WE'RE FIGHTING FOR SSOS AT THE ENTERPRISE BARGAINING TABLE NOW.

We're fighting for SSOs at the enterprise bargaining table now. Learn about how we're advocating for you aeusa.asn.au/fixthecrisis

What you need to know

+ SSOs are being undervalued by the Department

+ Irregular hours and contracts leave SSOs and support staff vulnerable

+ All educators must come together to demand change

No Career Path

While SSOs are consistently encouraged to continue upskilling, many of us have been rejected from a site because of the budget needed to employ SSOs at a higher level. SSO work will never meaningfully become a career path if staff aren’t able to progress to both higher pay and more consistent hours of work.

Many of us have had to fight for the rights spelled out in our Enterprise Agreement, such as access to training. This further curtails our ability to grow as professionals. At its best, SSO work is deeply fulfilling. I love seeing students flourish with my support. Sadly, I would now discourage others from pursuing classroom SSO work. Under the pressure of overwork, unstable employment, and contact with the most vulnerable students, SSOs are as much at breaking point as teachers.

It’s time for all educators to stand together and demand respect from the Department. Years of overwork, underpay and under-resourcing has left every one of us at breaking point. I believe in the strength of the union to change that.

CHRIS THOMAS AEU MEMBER, CLASSROOM AND SPECIAL ED SSO