Guidance for Managers and Headteachers

Page updated: 11/11/2024

Managers play a crucial role in supporting the wellbeing of their staff. Their actions and attitudes significantly impact the overall health, morale, and productivity of their teams. Below are key measures managers and headteachers can support staff wellbeing. Find below some practical ways to incorporate health and wellbeing into your business planning and team management.

 

 1. Fostering a Positive Work Environment

  • Promote a Culture of Respect and Inclusion: Managers should cultivate a workplace where every team member feels valued and respected.  
  • Encourage Work-Life Balance: Managers can support wellbeing by promoting a healthy work-life balance. This may involve Flexible working arrangements, if appropriate, respecting personal time, and encouraging employees to take their full allocation of annual leave days. 

 2. Providing Support and Resources

  • Recognise and Address Stress: Managers should be aware of signs and effects of stress and burnout within their team. Providing appropriate support, whether through reducing workloads, offering mental health resources, or simply being available to talk, is essential. 
  • Promote Wellbeing Programmes:  Managers should actively promote wellbeing initiatives and events to their teams, ensuring everyone is aware of the resources available. 

 3. Communicating Effectively

  • Open and Transparent Communication: Keeping staff informed about changes and expectations helps reduce uncertainty and anxiety. Managers should encourage open dialogue where employees feel safe to discuss any concerns. 
  • Regular Check-ins: Conducting regular one-to-one meetings allows managers to understand individual challenges their team members may face and offer support where needed. 

 4. Leading by Example

  • Model Healthy Behaviours: Managers should lead by example in demonstrating good work-life balance, taking breaks, and managing stress effectively. When managers prioritise their own wellbeing, it sets a positive precedent for their teams. 
  • Show Empathy and Compassion: Being empathetic to personal circumstances and showing understanding towards employees' needs, especially during challenging times, fosters a supportive and trusting relationship. 

 5. Developing Skills and Career Growth

  • Support Career Development: Providing opportunities for learning and professional growth can boost morale and job satisfaction. Managers should encourage skill development and help employees set and achieve their career goals. 
  • Recognise and Reward Contributions: Acknowledging achievements and contributions regularly can significantly enhance employees' sense of purpose and motivation. 

 6. Flexibility and Adaptability

  • Adapt to Individual Needs: Recognising that employees have different needs, managers should try to be flexible in accommodating various work styles, life circumstances, and health requirements. Further advice can be sought from HR where required.  
  • Respond to Feedback: Being open to feedback on management practices and making adjustments when necessary shows a commitment to improving staff wellbeing. 

Health and Wellbeing Team Triage form

Do you require support from the Health and Wellbeing Team? In order for the Health and Wellbeing team to provide you with the support you need we have created this short questionnaire to give us more information to tailor our response. 


Please be as detailed as you can and specify whether you would like one of the Health & Wellbeing team to provide a presentation, signpost to further support and resources, request more information on a specific subject etc.

 

Note: When a request is submitted we will do our best to accommodate, however allocation will be given depending on resources, priorities and commitments of the team. All forms need to contain appropriate and sufficient information in order to allow for preparation of events. Additionally, all forms must be submitted with an appropriate timescale prior to the event, with a minimum turnaround time of three weeks.

 

 

Please complete this short form.

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