STAFF WELLBEING action plan

• Introduce a wellbeing strategy and policy which is produced with input from staff, governors, pupils and parents.

• Ensure that you have clear policies around managing staff absence and supporting staff wellbeing and that these are followed.

• Introduce staff wellbeing support such as:

- providing sessions around mindfulness, workplace relationships and managing stress, this could be delivered in person or accessed via an appropriate app

- ensuring that teacher targets are realistic and providing praise when praise is due

- encouraging a buddy system for reflective practice and problem-solving

- providing a dedicated space where staff can go to take time out

- encouraging staff to take their breaks and finish on time

- Consulting about change and new strategies

- training staff to recognise, understand and deal appropriately with mental health conditions and minimise stigmas around this

- providing advice on how staff can get help both inside and outside of the school.

- providing a school-based counsellor

- Supporting staff to train as mental health first aiders sector and these cannot and should not simply be left.

- carrying out an annual wellbeing survey.

As a school, you may be wary of taking any action, particularly where a staff member’s absence has been prolonged and/or if the cause of the illness is not clear or they are awaiting a diagnosis. It is important, however, not to allow the situation to drift until it reaches the point that the member of staff has been off for so long that dismissal starts to look like the only option. This can lead to issues for you in relation to successful claims of unfair dismissal (if over two years’ service) and/ or disability discrimination.