ABSTRACT
Although it is assumed that the majority of schools will have support systems in place, there will always be situations where additional specialist staff are required. In some LEAs, support staff are retained centrally and schools may have little part to play in their selection or deployment. Where the allocation of staff is carried out in close consul-tation with individual schools, this system can work well. However, where little attention is paid to the needs and wishes of the school, then relationships can break down, to the detriment of staff and students.
