What to look out for
As a school leader, you're not expected to be a medical expert. Your role is not to diagnose, but to notice, show care, and offer support. The most important thing to look for is a sustained change from an individual's usual way of being. A single instance of being late or irritable is rarely a cause for concern, but a pattern of behaviour might be.
Remember, many of the behaviours below can have numerous causes (e.g., family issues, physical illness, financial worries). The goal is not to guess the cause, but to recognise that a staff member may need support.
Taking more sick leave Taking less care with appearance Sudden weight gain or loss Working too many hours or taking on too much work Arriving late to work and missing deadlines Changes in behaviour when socialising, e.g. erratic or unacceptable behaviour, drinking or