Intro
Working with a supply-teacher agency shouldn’t feel like a gamble. At Secured Supply, we believe that the right partnership brings ease, reliability and trust. If you’re reviewing your agency relationships (or signing up for the first time), ask these five questions — and you’ll know whether you’re choosing one that’s right for you, or just “okay”.
Question 1: What’s your screening process for teachers?
You need more than a CV. At Secured Supply we verify experience, check references, conduct face-to-face meetings and ensure full safeguarding compliance. Because being in a classroom isn’t just about the lesson plan—it’s about the person stepping in.
Ask your agency: how many checks? Who meets the teacher? What happens if an issue arises?
Question 2: How do you onboard supply teachers into our school?
A great teacher coming into your school still needs to land well. We brief our supply teachers on your school routines, culture, behaviour expectations and classroom layout before day one.
Ask: Will the agency meet with staff? Provide a “teacher-profile” of the supply teacher? How quickly can they adapt?
Question 3: What support do you provide during the assignment (for the teacher & the school)?
Once the teacher is in class, what happens behind the scenes? At Secured Supply, we keep in touch with both the teacher and the school to check how things are going, quickly resolve issues, and ensure a smooth experience all round.
Ask: Who is your single point of contact? How do you handle urgent concerns mid-day?
Question 4: How do you handle feedback / quality control?
You want the same or better standard than your permanent staff. We ask for feedback from schools after each assignment, we track teacher performance, and we use that data to build our teacher pool and improve our match-making.
Ask: Is there a scorecard? What’s the improvement process? How often do you review placements?
Question 5: What happens if the match fails? Do you guarantee cover?
Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. A transparent agency will have a backup plan and clear guarantee. At Secured Supply we offer emergency cover options and a rapid-response team ready to find a replacement if necessary.
Ask: What’s your SLA (service level agreement)? How fast can you replace the teacher? What cost or non-cost commitments are there?
Call to Action (CTA)
Thinking of freshening up your supply-teacher agency partnership or confused about what you should expect? Get in touch with Secured Supply today on 07721 170431 / 07721 171512 or drop us a message at info@securedsupply.co.uk. Let’s have a no-obligation chat about what your school really deserves.
