In this episode Sam Miller talks to Ceri Jones, Manager of the Torfaen Young People's Counselling Service about staff wellbeing and supervision in the context of Covid-19 and the planned 'reopening' of schools on June 29th. Particularly relevant given the explicit reference to staff wellbeing in the Welsh Government's operational guidance to schools which states:
'COVID-19 makes it more important than ever that we acknowledge the need to provide a reflective space for staff to deal with and process the often stressful, uncomfortable and sometimes painful experiences of working with children, young people, their families and the systems around them.
When it is not possible to employ a counsellor for this specific purpose, leaders in good schools provide opportunities for staff to discuss issues with them or their colleagues. Sharing experiences and discussing their feelings and emotions can identify areas where additional support is needed, and is a valuable exercise in itself for helping people support their own well-being.
Local authorities should work with schools and settings to provide support to staff. All parts of the system should work together to ensure that staff’s well-being is supported both directly and indirectly (such as managing messaging, avoiding duplication of work and avoiding unnecessary demands on staff)'.
(Keeping Education Safe: Operational guidance for schools, https://gov.wales/keep-education-safe-operational-guidance-schools-and-settings-covid-19).
Listeners may also be interested in:
https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/Supervision%20in%20Education%20-%20Healthier%20Schools%20For%20All%20-%20Main%20report_0.pdf
https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/bps-offers-advice-preventing-secondary-trauma-those-taking-distressing-work-home
Contact details for Ceri Jones can be found at https://www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/EducationLearning/SpecialeducationalneedsSEN/Specialist-Support-Services/Schools-Counselling-Service.aspx
