Handsam Reminders
In the hustle and bustle of other responsibilities, you may have overlooked some articles from Compliance Matters Issue 38. Below are some of the things making the news in the world of compliance in spring 2023.
Creating a Positive Behaviour Management Culture in School
In 2022, the DfE released a series of updated guidance on behaviour in schools. Since then, schools all over the country have reviewed their policies. Martin Cain distils some of the key implications for leaders based on their experiences.
t has always been best practice for schools to review their Behaviour policy on an annual basis to ensure it is in line with statutory requirements, any new guidance and to also review what they are doing to create a culture of positive behaviour. There is a duty on schools to consult with parents and pupils when reviewing their policy and many now include both parent and pupil surveys and an Equalities Impact Assessment as part of this process.
Eating and Drinking in a School Laboratory
CLEAPSS the leading educational advisory service for science and technology, has stated emphatically that eating and drinking should not happen in a science lab. The organisation cites many references, including The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Approved Code of Practice and Guidance and Safety in Science Education, DfEE, 1999. They state "The references above support an outright ban on eating or drinking in laboratories and prep rooms."
Everyone who works within the science department should be aware of their responsibilities in relation to the legislation and they should all adopt the same strategy with regard to not eating or drinking in laboratories and prep rooms. This includes pupils, non-science staff, supply staff and anyone else using these areas.
Lockdown Procedures - Do You Know What to Do?
A recent article in The Guardian revealed that in 2022 police had made several “close calls” by foiling terror plots aimed at schools at the last minute. These interventions were made when would-be attackers had already picked targets and were gathering weapons. Metropolitan Police counter-terror head, Matt Jukes, said there are growing numbers of reports of children obsessed by mass shootings, with boys as young as 13 coming to the attention of the police as potential terrorist threats. Speaking at a Scotland Yard briefing in February, Jukes said: “We have absolutely seen cases in which we have intervened with young people to prevent them going on, potentially, to carry out attacks in their schools."The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has recently provided non-statutory guidance designed to help school leaders ensure that their policies on pupil hair and hairstyles are not unlawfully discriminatory.
World Health Organisation Guidelines: Mental Health at Work
The World Health Organisation recently issued its Guidelines on Mental Health at Work. This comprehensive guidance which can be downloaded from the WHO website is an invaluable guide to interventions that can implemented to better prevent, protect and promote, and support the mental health of workers. It highlights the importance of organizational interventions, manager and worker training and interventions for individuals. Particular attention is given to workers living with mental health conditions and the interventions that can be used to support them to gain employment, return to work following an absence or to be supported by reasonable accommodations at work.
Recognising the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
Knowing what to look out for and do when someone around you is experiencing a stroke can be life saving. During a stroke, every second counts and fast treatment can lessen the brain damage that having a stroke can cause.
The signs and symptoms of a stroke differ from person to person, but usually start suddenly. Different parts of the brain control different parts of the body so symptoms will depend on which part of the brain is affected and the extent of the damage.
Trial for ‘Menopause Leave’ is Rejected
Ministers have rejected a proposal from MPs about introducing ‘menopause leave’ pilots in England. They argued that it was focused on encouraging employers to implement workplace menopause policies instead, and said that this could be “counterproductive”. Actions on ‘menopause leave’ were suggested by the Women and Equalities Committee after accusing ministers of making “glacial progress” on menopause support in the workplace. In July 2022, they published a report about the impact of menopause on the UK economy. It said the lack of support was forcing women out of work and made numerous recommendations of how to give more rights to women at work.