At Our Lady Help of Christians, we place great importance on the mental health and overall wellbeing of every member of staff, both within our schools and across the central team. We understand that good mental health underpins personal satisfaction and professional effectiveness, and we aim to foster an environment where wellbeing is prioritised and openly supported.

Definition of Mental Health and wellbeing:

“A state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community”.

(World Health Organisation)

Our Lady Help of Christians Trust are proud to have signed up to the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter (DfE). It is our declaration of support for the wellbeing and mental health of everyone working in our Trust and has been created in collaboration with the DfE, Ofsted, mental health charities and education organisations.

Our commitments in the charter include:

• To prioritise staff mental health
• Give staff the support they need to take responsibility for their own and other people’s wellbeing
• Give line managers access to the tools and resources they need to support the wellbeing of those they line manage
• Establish a clear communications policy
• Give staff a voice in decision-making
• Drive down unnecessary workload
• Champion flexible working and diversity
• Create a good behaviour culture
• Support staff to progress in their careers
• Include a sub-strategy for protecting leader wellbeing and mental health
• Hold ourselves accountable, including by measuring staff wellbeing

Our Approach to Supporting Staff Wellbeing

As a Trust, we adopt a proactive and considerate approach to mental health by:

• Creating a working environment where potential work-related stressors as far as practicable are avoided, minimised or mitigated through good management practices, effective Human Resources policies and staff development.
• Increasing managers’ and employees’ awareness of the causes and effects of stress.
• Developing a culture that is open and supportive of people experiencing stress or other forms of mental ill-health.
• Developing the competence of managers, so that they manage staff effectively and fairly.
• Engaging with staff to create constructive and effective working partnerships both within teams and across the Trust.
• Establishing working arrangements whereby employees feel they are able to maintain an appropriate work life balance.
• Encouraging staff to take responsibility for their own health and well-being through effective health promotion programmes and initiatives.
• Encouraging staff to take responsibility for their own work and effectiveness as a means of reducing their own stress and that of their colleagues.

 

Support Across the Trust and Individual Schools

Each school within the Trust has appointed Mental Health Leads who offer guidance, reassurance, and signposting to further support. These trained colleagues are available to help staff navigate difficulties and access the appropriate services when required.

Staff seeking support may:

• Speak with their school’s Senior Mental Health Lead.
• Approach their Line Manager.
• Access Vivup, our Employee Benefits Platform, which includes a range of wellbeing tools and resources (see below).

Support for School Leaders

The role of the HR Director is central to ensuring school leaders across the Trust feel consistently supported and well-equipped to manage the demands of their positions. They provide expert guidance on staffing, wellbeing, and employment matters, enabling leaders to navigate challenges with confidence and clarity. Their approachable manner and strategic oversight help create a culture where leaders feel valued, listened to, and able to access timely support. By fostering positive working relationships and promoting fair, supportive practices, they play a vital part in strengthening leadership wellbeing and contributing to the overall stability and success of the Trust.

To further strengthen wellbeing across our leadership teams, the Trust has appointed a Director of Pastoral Support and Wellbeing for School Leaders. There are regular visits to each school to ensure all leaders are supported and have someone to turn to for confidential sharing/guidance. The Director works with leaders to help them identify and manage mental health concerns in themselves and signposts to further support.

Accessing Help and Advice

We are committed to ensuring all staff feel supported, whether through in-school initiatives, professional learning opportunities, or confidential external services. Staff are encouraged to contact their Mental Health Lead, line manager, or HR representative whenever guidance is needed.

For any safeguarding issues, please refer to the school’s Safeguarding Policy.

Employee Benefits to Support Wellbeing (EAP) - Vivup

All employees who work for our Trust have access to Vivup, a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).  These benefits are designed to improve physical, financial and mental health wellbeing. The platform centralises various perks and wellbeing solutions, which are accessible to employees through a single online portal or app. 

Key benefits offered through Vivup Employee Assistance Programme (EAP):  include:

Health and Wellbeing Support: 

Proactive and preventative solutions designed to support overall health, when you need it most:

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): 

Confidential 24/7 access to counsellors and support specialists. Whatever mental, physical, financial or personal issue you're facing, you can find a wide range of resources waiting to help.

Counselling and information:

Vivup gives you access to professional Counselling Services that offer a range of confidential interventions and treatment pathways for your individual needs.

Vivup understand that clients need a 360-degree approach to wellbeing, and we ensure that you receive the right support, by the right person, at the right time. Whether you need advice, short term support, or a specialised treatment, we’re on hand to help 24 hours a day – 7 days a week.

Access on Online GP:

Get unlimited access to expert, GMC-registered GPs for advice, reassurance, diagnosis and, where appropriate, onward referral with Your Care. Consultations are available via video or phone 7 days a week from 8am-10pm (excluding UK bank holidays).

Your Care:

Your Care is a dynamic wellbeing platform offering a range of personal, emotional and financial wellbeing tools to help you be a happier, healthier you!

Financial Education and Support: Resources and advice from partners like Angel Advance and Ask Bill to help improve financial resilience. Employees can access a range of free impartial help regarding aspects such as: energy; water; self-help and debt.

By embedding mental health and wellbeing into the heart of our Trust, we aim to create a positive, caring workplace in which every member of staff can flourish and continue to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of our pupils.