At present, the employment of classroom assistants (CAs) does not match educational or socio-economic needs. Hence, schools that may need CAs don't universally have them, and schools that have them, don't always need them.
Deprived areas are less likely to have a pool of suitable labour, or if people are available, they have little relevant experience, and schools often lack the funds to train them.
There is also is an acute shortage in the workforce of men and members of ethnic communities - currently 98 per cent of CAs are white women.
Funding
* Our research showed that much of the money allocated to employ additional CAs went on protecting existing jobs, and there is a likelihood that any new money will go on protecting more posts.
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