Setting up a staff wellbeing group: essential tips for schools

Practical tips for creating an effective staff wellbeing group

One way to build a stronger culture of wellbeing across your school or education setting is to establish a Staff Wellbeing Group. This group brings together a team of staff who can champion wellbeing, represent colleagues’ voices and help lead and coordinate efforts to improve the wellbeing of everyone across the school community.

We know, however, that bringing people together to take on an additional responsibility can be challenging, particularly when time is limited and workloads are already high.

That’s why we’ve put together these practical tips to help you get started.

These tips draw on our experience of working with schools in Wales through our Wellbeing Advisory and Culture Development Services. Alongside insights from teacher, wellbeing lead, and author, Sophie Smith-Tong.

We hope these tips make the process of setting up a Staff Wellbeing Group more manageable, meaningful and achievable.

1. Clarify your goals

Why are you setting up a group? What are your goals/limitations? How will you measure if it is effective? It can be helpful to answer these questions before doing anything else. Our feedback from schools is that being clear from the start about the purpose of the group and what it can/cannot achieve is important for those running it and those attending.

2. Prepare sign posting

Remind staff who they can talk too if they are struggling, such as their line manager or SLT.

Our Employee Assistance Programme offers the EAP helpline and other practical support via an online portal (as the Staff Wellbeing Group may not be the most appropriate place for them to discuss certain issues). Make sure you have the EAP helpline number readily available and share it often with all staff.

There is also a free emotional support helpline if your school is not yet benefitting from our EAP: 08000 562 561.

3. Collaborate with SLT

Getting their support from the beginning and establishing collaboration is the most constructive approach. Consider how to communicate with SLT so they don’t suddenly find themselves with a list of demands from staff. What will you do if they don’t support some suggestions? Agree a process with them.

And remember, your school leaders and managers need support too! They can register for free professional supervision at no cost to your school. Supervision can help them to manage and process the pressures of staff wellbeing, and the other demands of their role, for the benefit of themselves and the whole school community.

4. Share responsibility fairly

No one person should be left responsible for the wellbeing of the entire school staff team - this can be detrimental to the wellbeing of wellbeing leads or staff member in charge and can also lead to limited viewpoints. We know from our work that staff wellbeing is at its best when the whole school community takes responsibility for it.

Schools in Wales can access free staff wellbeing tools and support, funded by Welsh-Government, at no cost. Our School Culture and Wellbeing Practitioners and Advisors work closely with you to understand your setting and help embed practical strategies – book a meeting with them now.

5. Make it optional

Ask those interested in joining a wellbeing group to complete a short form. Make sure you give plenty of information as to what being in the group will look like in terms of added expectations, responsibilities and benefits. Be honest and realistic. Giving space and time for staff to explore what volunteering will mean for them can encourage more long term and committed decision making.

6. Aim for diversity

Wellbeing is important for all staff. And wherever possible, it’s good practice to have a group made up of representatives from diverse backgrounds and roles to ensure a well-rounded perspective. For example if a group is made up of all Key Stage 2 teachers – it will not be inclusive of both support staff and Key Stage 1 experiences. Welcome feedback on how you can make the wellbeing group more inclusive and accessible. And remember to invite new staff to participate when they join your school.

Good luck setting up your group. And don’t forget, you’re not alone! We’re here for schools across the UK.

Speak to us today to find out how our EAP support for teachers and education staff can benefit your school, and access more practical tips on how to set up a Staff Wellbeing Group and make it work for your unique setting.

Author Bio

Sophie Smith-Tong is a primary school teacher, EYFS specialist, and Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead. She is also the author of Teacher Autonomy, and founder of Mindfulness for Learning, where she produces her own podcast with special guests from across the education sector.