What is a Governor’s Role in Health and Safety

This blog is based on Judicium’s Health and Safety ‘Sofa Session’ from the 7th of December, with our resident experts Isthar Pearce, CMIOSH, and Jamie Ashard, LLB (Hons), GradIOSH, DipNCRQ. This session focused on legal frameworks and responsibilities; what to look for in risk assessments; emergency procedures; and health and wellbeing.

Legal Framework and Responsibilities 

1. The importance of health and safety in schools and its impact on students, staff, and visitors.

Emergency plans such as lockdown, fire drills and evacuation plans need to have a coherent plan staff and students are familiar with. Often in emergency situations there is an element of panic so fully prepared plans help to support staff and students in stressful situations.

The benefit of testing these drills is to help identify any gaps which can be remedied prior to an actual event. For example, a door may be left unlocked during a lockdown procedure drill, which can then be identified and assigned to a member of staff as part of the procedure.

These comprehensive plans should also include a secondary location. As in the event of a fire, the school will assemble at the assembly point - a place of safety outside. However, a secondary location such as a local church or another school could help provide warm shelter and safety for the staff and pupils for a time to allow parents/ buses to collect them.

2. Explain the roles and responsibilities of staff and governors during emergencies.

As governors have a strategic overview of how the school is managed, they should ensure such plans are implemented and ask for information on drills and practices. The governors can help by providing solutions and suggestions to help improve the plans.

Senior leadership with responsibility for the daily management of the school are required to establish the plans and ensure they are effective.

The staff within the school have a responsibility to cooperate with their employer and conduct their roles set out in the emergency plans. 

3. Ensure governors are familiar with the school's emergency contact information and chain of communication.

As part of the school’s emergency plans there should be a communication process. This is to allow communication to be clear and ensures contact is made to the relevant people.

Governors should check schools have this included in their plans and is up to date.

It should be clear who is the designated person to speak with the press and all other members of the school are informed not to speak to the press.

Health and Wellbeing

1. Discuss the importance of promoting good physical and mental health among students and staff, e.g., school health and wellbeing initiatives and the role of governors in supporting them.

The school should have a wellbeing policy which highlights the school’s commitment to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. The policy and procedures should outline the wellbeing initiatives available to staff, such as a confidential helpline, counselling, etc.

If faced with an event that may cause distress, to provide support the school should conduct a debrief with the members of staff involved.

When staff feel supported and looked after, it affects the school's positive health and safety culture.

2. Emphasise the importance of addressing issues like bullying, mental health, and wellbeing.

When issues do arise, it is important to address them as early as possible. If a member of staff expresses work-related stress, a stress risk assessment should be conducted to highlight how the school, as the employer, can support that member of staff.

The school should review absence data to highlight any issues relating to wellbeing. Also, when a member of staff has been on long-term absence it is important to have a return-to-work procedure to help the staff member return to work effectively

Key Takeaways to Ensure Safe Festival Celebrations in Schools 

• Governors should provide leadership and strategic oversight in ensuring a safe learning environment.
• Schools/Trusts should have suitable policies and procedures that outline the role and responsibilities of the Governors/Trustees.
• Always consider how Governors/Trustees can assist in ensuring legal requirements are met, e.g., by monitoring risk registers, emergency procedures, health and wellbeing initiatives, etc.

The Health and Safety Service is also providing accredited training courses, including eLearning with specific  modules ranging from courses designed for premises managers and SLT to all staff offerings: https://www.judiciumeducation.co.uk/elearning

We also offer live, exclusive training options https://www.judiciumeducation.co.uk/training

To review Judicium’s forthcoming sofa sessions please click here.

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