Staff Health, Wellbeing and Safety in education
Updated 23rd September
Education Staffing Partnership is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of our temporary workers as far as is reasonably practicable. With education establishments re-opening it is important that we not only seek to help protect you our workers but also to protect those who work or study within the schools and nurseries we support.
There are no Government restrictions in place on Supply Staff working in individual or multiple education settings. However it is essential that we work closely with our clients and with you to ensure that all staff booked to work are aware of the latest Government guidance and best practice on working in educational settings during the pandemic.
As a temporary worker on, or eligible for, assignments through Education Staffing Partnership it is essential that you keep us informed of your circumstances and help identify any potential risks to your health and safety and that of those who you may come into contact with while on assignments.
It is essential that you follow Government guidelines on managing your personal risk of infection and help us mitigate risk for our clients and their staff and pupils. You are required to inform us immediately if at any time.
- You are diagnosed with COVID-19
- You have symptoms of COVID-19 or suspect you have the symptoms
- You live with someone that has contracted COVID-19
- You live with someone that has symptoms of COVID-19
- You are advised by the NHS test and trace service to self-isolate
- You receive a notification from your GP, hospital, or any medical professional to shield as you have been identified as someone with high risk of developing complications from COVID-19 infection
- You have you take a trip outside the UK and are required to self-isolate for a specific period on your return in line with Government guidance
In the event of one of the above scenarios you must follow government guidance in relation to self-isolation for the appropriate period. You will not be offered assignments by Education Staffing Partnership during a period of self-isolation and any existing assignments will be cancelled.
Required periods of self-isolation
- 10 days – From the onset of symptoms OR proof infection
- 14 days – For all other scenarios
You must carry a face covering with you on assignments to use as directed by the education setting in line with your personal circumstances. You must obtain a copy of the education settings risk assessment on arrival and adhere to it at all times, including but not limited to their policies on social distancing and the use of PPE.
If at any time you wish to not be considered for work or do not wish to accept an assignment please inform us immediately.
The latest guidance on Safe Working in Education and Childcare can be found here
https://gov.wales/education-coronavirus
COVID-19 Policy for agency staff re-entry into the education workforce
Education Staffing Partnership continues to closely monitor all guidance in relation to COVID-19 from Public Health England, the DfE and the World Health Organisation in relation to the management of risk and specifically the education sector.
Our approach to the provision of temporary education staff will continue to follow the changing guidance with the express aim of protecting our staff and the education settings in which they work.
Due to the at times rapidly changing guidance Education Staffing Partnership will review its COVID-19 measures on a weekly basis or as deemed appropriate in line with local or national circumstances.
Provision of temporary workers (placements or interviews)
We have clearly communicated with our workers the requirement for them to follow government guidelines on managing their personal risk of infection and the requirements for them to notify us in relation to their own personal circumstances.
Our temporary workers must inform us immediately if.
- They are diagnosed with COVID-19
- They have symptoms of COVID-19 or suspect they have the symptoms
- They live with someone that has contracted COVID-19
- They live with someone that has symptoms of COVID-19
- They are advised by the NHS track and trace service to self-isolate
- They receive a notification from a GP, hospital, or any medical professional to shield or they have been identified as someone with high risk of developing complications from COVID-19 infection
- They have taken a trip outside the UK and are required to self-isolate for a specific period on return in line with Government guidance
In the event of one of the above scenarios our temporary workers will be advised to follow government guidance in relation to self-isolation and their worker file placed on Temporary Block for the appropriate period. Our comprehensive safeguarding system will then ensure this worker cannot be place into any assignments during this 14 day period of self-isolation or until we obtain confirmation of a negative test.
All staff are required to carry a face covering with them on assignment or interviews and use it as directed by the education establishment OR to inform us at the point of accepting an assignment if they are unable to do so. Our staff are expected to obtain a copy of and adhere to the risk assessment/policies (at all times) of each education setting they attend.
Each time our staff accept an assignment with Education Staffing Partnership they receive an automated reminder in relation to the above as part of the assignment confirmation.
Current COVID-19 protocols in line with guidance
- Any worker found to have contracted COVID-19 will not be placed into an assignment and advised to self-isolate for 10/14 days as appropriate
- 10 days – From the onset of symptoms OR proof infection
- 14 days – For all other scenarios
- No assignments offered during a period of self-isolation
- In the event of the worker having worked on assignment in the 5 days prior to diagnosis, the clients concerned will be informed immediately
- Observe self-isolation protocols in the event of travel to listed destinations
When on assignment our staff are required to follow the individual policies of the education establishment or as directed by permanent staff on site. Education Staffing Partnership is happy to assist in providing client policies to temporary staff prior to their arrival.
Subject to change.
We are committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of our agency workers and supporting the efforts of our partner education settings to protect their staff and pupils as far as is reasonably practicable. The information in this policy and provided to our staff is subject to change without notice in line with Welsh Government guidance.
Updated – 23rd September 2020