Who are supply teachers? What are their characteristics? What work do they take on and what is their experience of teaching? The role of local education authorities and schools in recruiting supply teachers, the experience of supply teaching and the role of the supply teacher in the changing organizational structure of the school are some of the questions answered in this volume. There is little information currently available on the supply teacher. With increased attempts to encourage returners back into the teaching profession, attention is being directed towards inactive teachers, their needs, aspirations and skills. The authors, from areas of educational administration, management, economics and sociology, explore the role of substitute staff and their effect on the teaching and learning experiences of both adults and children. Supply policy and practice is considered and personal accounts are combined with research material including essays on supply teachers" work in two local education authorities, providing a body of material that adds a new dimension to our understanding of teachers" lives, careers and work.