I work as a teaching assistant so why am I being paid only £20 a day?

Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?

I am a mature student, in my 40s, retraining and in the final year of my foundation degree in early childhood studies. I spent the first year doing unpaid work across the sector. Having gained experience I started to look for paid positions – a stipulation of the degree and useful in getting a fuller experience, especially as this final year involves conducting a small research project.

After many trial days through a recruitment agency, I found myself in a setting I really liked, working as a teaching assistant under an experienced and supportive teacher. However, even though I was told I would be replacing a TA who was leaving, I am only being paid student expenses of £20 a day.

I do the full hours and believe I am a dedicated and determined worker. I am beginning to feel resentment setting in but keep it at bay with the thought of doing my research project, completing my degree and then negotiating full pay. But the lack of pay is beginning to gnaw at me, especially as my husband and I are struggling with childcare costs and my study time is also much reduced due to working full-time.

When is the best time to raise my needs and aspirations? I am scared of being unwise in a sector notorious for letting go of qualified and good employees. However, it doesn’t seem fair that unqualified supply staff are paid a wage while I am not. The other dilemma is, I am aware that my boss has my welfare on her list of things to negotiate with management, although this has not been articulated in any way so I do not wish to harass her.

Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.