How to run welfare checks for school staff

Know how to conduct wellbeing checks with your staff so you can effectively provide support and respond to any problems they have. Download our list of discussion questions to help you prepare.

Last reviewed on 24 March 2023
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Contents
  1. What are welfare checks and why should we do them?
  2. How to conduct effective checks
  3. Download our questions to help you prepare
  4. Keep any records confidential
  5. During the meeting: what to keep in mind
  6. Remember, you’re not trying to replace mental health professionals

What are welfare checks and why should we do them?

Also called wellbeing checks, they're a chance for staff to:

  • Talk about how they're feeling in general and how they're coping with their work
  • Raise any concerns they have
  • Seek support if they need it

Welfare checks are different from performance-related meetings, which focus on professional goals.

There's no statutory requirement to offer welfare checks, but it's a chance for you to understand how your staff are doing, address problems and provide any support they need.

How to conduct effective checks

There's no one right way to do them

Our associate education expert Lorraine Petersen suggests you could have an initial meeting