How to run welfare checks for school staff

What are welfare checks and why should we do them?

Also called wellbeing checks, they're a chance for staff to:

• Talk about how they're feeling in general and how they're coping with their work
• Raise any concerns they have
• Seek support if they need it

Welfare checks are different from performance-related meetings, which focus on professional goals.

There's no statutory requirement to offer welfare checks, but it's a chance for you to understand how your staff are doing, address problems and provide any support they need. This is especially important now, as pressure of working during coronavirus is likely to have exacerbated existing challenges.

How to conduct effective checks

It's up to you to decide how to carry out welfare checks, as it'll depend on your school's context. You might go for one-on-one check-ins with a clear schedule, or casual chats and a ‘buddy system’ that