Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure (a) support plans and (b) informal capability procedures are appropriately used to (i) improve staff performance and (ii) retain staff.

The Department has established policies for managing both performance and underperformance, with an emphasis on early, supportive intervention to help staff succeed and remain in their roles.

Line managers are expected to work with staff to put in place appropriate support, including identifying development needs and access to learning opportunities at an early stage. Where performance concerns persist, informal measures such as performance improvement plans provide clear expectations, structured support and regular review.

This year, the Department is introducing a more structured approach to performance management, building on existing good practice to support greater consistency, clarity and fairness in how performance is assessed and managed.

These approaches are designed to improve performance in a timely and proportionate way, while supporting staff development and maximising retention wherever possible.