Joining a recruitment agency should guarantee you work, especially if you are willing to take jobs across the age range (primary and secondary), they may also deal with personnel matters, including salary payments, tax and National Insurance. Some agencies offer access to teachers' pension schemes and holiday pay entitlement.

The following websites are all good recruitment sites that can help you to find a supply job:

• e.teach.com,
• jobsite.co.uk
• connex-education.com

It is also worth writing to schools in your local area with a CV and letting them know you are available for supply. Reliable supply teachers who can work regularly and become a familiar face at a school are very highly valued.

Many local authorities now have their own supply services which offer access to pensions and training opportunities. Daily rates of pay vary, but can be as much as £140, depending on experience and qualifications, so shop around before committing yourself. It is worth remembering that if you choose to work directly for schools, you will be classed self-employed and will need to make your own tax and pension arrangements.

In recent years, more teachers are choosing to be professional supply teachers. It can be seen as a lifestyle choice for people who want a more flexible way of working. Particularly at secondary level, supply teachers are very much in demand, notably in shortage subjects such as science.

There are, broadly speaking, two types of arrangements: long-term supply work which tends to be contracts of half a term or more, while other supply teachers choose short-term work, often arranged daily.