All staff working in education have an important duty of care to safeguard children. However, it’s also important to recognise that adults are not immune to safeguarding risks. 20th – 24th November 2023 is Safeguarding Adults Week – an initiative led by the Ann Craft Trust, dedicated to raising awareness for the safeguarding issues that affect adults every day. This year, the focus is on how people can promote the wellbeing of themselves and others.
This is a particularly important theme for those working in education to consider. Staff across the education sector face immense pressure to look after the children in their care, but it is important to consider the question; who looks after the staff? Good wellbeing amongst staff means that they are more likely to have the time, energy and motivation to work to the best of their ability. Moreover, it is crucial that concerning behaviour or potential wellbeing issues amongst staff in education are appropriately managed.
Low-level concerns regarding staff-members in schools are required to be captured by the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) Statutory Guidance. By recording and managing these concerns, patterns can be readily identified which could indicate potentially more serious issues, such as inappropriate behaviour outside of work, stress-related issues or mental health concerns. Appropriate actions can then be taken to address these concerns and decisions on how to support staff-members can be effectively made to help protect both children and the adult in question.
Recognising the value of staff wellbeing, and putting the steps in place to manage it, is vital to equip them in supporting the welfare of children and handling the challenges that may come with working in education.
Recognising the Challenges of Working in Education
While working with children can be an incredibly rewarding job, it can also be incredibly difficult. According to the 2022 Teacher Wellbeing Index survey carried out by Education Support, 78% of UK school staff reported to have experienced mental health concerns because of their work in the past academic year, with 59% considering leaving the profession.
The education sector faces several challenges which, without the right support in place, can pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of staff. These include:
- Heavy Workload: According to the National Education Union, teachers in England work an average of 54 hours a week, whilst school leaders work more than 60 hours a week. Having a consistently large workload or working long hours of overtime can place a great deal of stress on any adult. It also means staff are more likely to feel tired or burnt-out, which can make their job feel much harder and less rewarding.
- Mental Health Concerns: Anybody can experience mental health issues throughout their life. For education staff, everyday stressors such as meeting tight deadlines, personal challenges, or dealing with the complex task of safeguarding vulnerable children, can have a significant impact on their mental health. It’s important that all staff can access the support they need – such as access to counselling, financial advice or mental health training – to maintain a healthy mind and prevent any issues from escalating.
- Vicarious Trauma: Safeguarding children is an important responsibility, and holding this responsibility every day can have a personal impact. Education staff who manage the welfare needs of students should be aware of the emotional burden and stress that this task can cause in the form of ‘vicarious trauma’. Staff taking on this responsibility also need support to remain resilient to the difficult or upsetting situations that they are exposed to, such as incidents involving violence, neglect or abuse.
Good safeguarding practice comes from within. School staff who are stressed or experience other mental health issues and can’t access the right support, may not have the capacity to look after the young people in their care to the best of their ability.
Identifying Wellbeing Issues for Staff in Education
Just as with safeguarding children, early intervention is the best way to resolve any issues that staff might be facing. Getting support early on can prevent issues from escalating, reducing the risk of harm. By recording concerns regarding colleagues and employees, managers and leaders can recognise when a staff member might be struggling with mental health or wellbeing issues.
Some key signs of burnout to look out for as identified by Education Support include:
- Appearing constantly tired or sharing that they feel exhausted
- Detachment or disengagement from work and duties
- Low mood or irritability
- High absenteeism and reduced performance
- An increased pattern of physical illness symptoms such as headaches or gastrointestinal pain
Having the capacity to spot these signs and monitor any issues or concerns amongst staff is vital for ensuring nothing falls through the gaps, and that those working in education remain safe, happy and healthy enough to carry out their work and support students effectively.
Safeguarding Adults Week is an important time to remember that the health and wellbeing of those working in education is just as important as the health and wellbeing of pupils. Looking after your own welfare, and that of your colleagues, is the best way to make sure you can do the same for the children you have a responsibility to protect.
How a Safeguarding Solution can Help Support Your Staff
Safeguarding software, like CPOMS StaffSafe, is a powerful tool for helping schools to safeguard staff members. Having access to a simple system for recording low level concerns and securely consolidating essential personnel information, such as DBS checks, can help schools to:
- Monitor signs and build a chronology of any key events, issues or causes for concern against as many categories as required, from performance management and welfare concerns to recording allegations.
- Lessen the burden of identifying patterns of behaviour amongst staff members to take earlier intervention when needed and make informed decisions about how and when to place support in place if needed.
- Ensure that all SCR (Single Central Record) information regarding staff is accounted for, kept secure and easily accessible by offering a platform to upload, keep record of and govern all information regarding adults working in the setting.
Contact our team today for more information about how CPOMS StaffSafe can help you meet your adult safeguarding needs.
