This course book is for all degree students who are support staff, particularly teaching assistants (TAs), working in educational settings. It focuses on professional, academic and vocational issues that are common to support workers across the school sectors, and provides essential guidance on the increasingly complex role of all those involved in teaching and supporting learning. The reader is supported throughout by learning objectives, practical and reflective tasks, relevant case studies and chapter summaries. This new edition has been extensively revised to reflect recent changes in legislation, policy and the curriculum. It includes new or significantly amended chapters; on the development of support staff; supporting pupils in crisis; learning in the early years; inclusion, SEN and phonics.New to this edition:New legislation and policy changes mean updates required.Development of a new curriculum has brought changes.