What are welfare checks and why should we do them?
Welfare checks, or wellbeing checks, are not a statutory requirement but they're a chance for staff to:
- Discuss how they're feeling in general and how they're coping with their work
- Raise any concerns they have
- Get support if they need it
They're different from performance-related meetings, which focus on professional goals.
If you do decide to carry out welfare checks, remember to keep staff workload to prepare for the meeting to a minimum. This is in line with the DfE's updated teacher appraisal guidance and model policy, which puts greater emphasis on reducing teacher workload and promoting wellbeing.
How to conduct effective checks
There's no one right way to do them
It's up to you to decide how to carry out welfare checks, as it'll depend on your school's context.
1-on-1 check-ins with a clear schedule Casual chats and a ‘buddy system’ that pairs