It is very hard to follow the words of a child who knows and tells us how important their SNAs are. That is why when we have this conversation and are having this debate, we need to thank our SNAs who are working tirelessly and often thanklessly to care for and support our children and children within our communities. SNAs are the reason children with additional needs can be educated with their friends within their communities in mainstream schools. The impact of a SNA's work is felt way beyond the classroom. We all have heard of the stories over the past number of weeks of the impact SNAs have had on so many of our constituents and that letter included. People have said they have been a credit to their health, happiness and success in adulthood. They credit their SNA for that. The reality is that SNAs are skilled professionals who work unbelievably hard in incredibly difficult circumstances and who deliver for our children. Over the past number of weeks, they have been treated disgracefully. It has been completely unfair the way SNAs have been treated over the past two weeks - for example, drip feeding information about cuts, making U-turns and not being clear as who is saying what. I have been confused. This has caused unbelievable upset and distress for parents, children, schools and SNAs. SNAs have been in touch with me. They have told me they are worried sick, not just about the future of their jobs, but the future of the children who they support. That is something that has been crucially important here. When we look at the mess over the past two weeks, we also need to look at the mess that has happened before this and the track record in relation to supporting SNAs in their careers. The SNA wages are below the living wage. There has been non-delivery on schools’ requests for additional SNAs. SNAs are financially vulnerable on insecure rolling job contracts. This all needs to be part of this conversation because it is a prime conversation right now. We need to be looking at all of this. From those who I have spoken to, they are not satisfied with the pause, review or whatever it is called at the moment. It is quite clear a fundamental problem remains. We need everybody in this Chamber to step up and deliver the real change that gives SNAs the rights, job security and pay they deserve. They have been crucial to so many of our children's success in every aspect of their lives.

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