Kaimahi Wellbeing and Safety
Our poari matua is responsible for the health and safety of all kaimahi. We aim to create a safe physical and emotional environment, and a positive, inclusive culture to support effective teaching and learning. Our kura monitors the health of workers as part of its primary duty of care.
At Paparoa Street School:
- we provide appropriate induction and professional guidance
- workplace harassment or bullying is not tolerated
- kaimahi may request leave as required
- kaimahi may request access to professional development and mentoring, as required, to increase competency and confidence and reduce stress
- kaimahi may apply for flexible working arrangements to be considered
- we recognise stress in the workplace as a hazard, work to manage it, and encourage kaimahi to speak up if they need support
- we have guidelines for the use of social media to protect kaimahi and ākonga
- we understand the increased risk from working alone.
To support kaimahi wellbeing and safety, we ensure that:
- kaimahi are made aware of our emergency management and health support procedures
- if a kaimahi is a subject of a concern or complaint, they are informed about the concerns and complaints process and are offered appropriate support
- if a kaimahi is involved in a confrontation (physical or verbal), they are offered support appropriate to the situation, which may include an incident debriefing.
Kaimahi are encouraged to report any health or wellbeing concerns to the tumuaki and kaiārahi matua. Counselling may be available through an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or a general practitioner (GP) can help to organise a counselling service.
We encourage kaimahi to support each other. Kaimahi with concerns about the mental health of a colleague can raise this with the tumuaki or an appropriate kaimahi. If a kaimahi becomes aware that a colleague is at risk of self-harm or suicide, they should consult with the tumuaki or an appropriate kaimahi. In the case of the imminent threat of suicide, we ensure the person's immediate safety and ring 111 or our regional crisis assessment team 
.
If a kaimahi has an accident, injury, or illness at work, we follow the procedures in Managing Injuries and Illness and Recording and Reporting Injuries and Illness. Our health and safety committee or delegated person is responsible for promoting the interests of kaimahi who have suffered illness or injury at work, including support for returning to work.
Support for returning to work
Support and rehabilitation is an important part of our safety management system. Paparoa Street School understands that kaimahi who have been on leave may require support to return to the workplace. We follow Ministry guidance to offer support to kaimahi. This includes:
- addressing relevant workplace hazards (including psychosocial)
- agreeing to an effective
return to work planA return to work plan may include:
- suitable duties being offered including modified or alternative duties
- frequency and duration of hours of work and work breaks
- support, aids, or modifications to the workplace
- time off for medical appointments
- special needs and conditions, and how the kura can help (e.g. assistance with transport)
- timeframes
- monitoring and reviewing progress so that problems can be identified and managed early.
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga: Injury and illness (see Creating a return-to-work plan) .
- working with all parties as appropriate.
Parties may include the employee's family/whānau, poari matua, the employee's manager or coworkers, the health and safety committee or delegated person, ACC, or treatment providers.
Related policies
Legislation
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Resources
: Term 4 2022, Term 3 2022, Term 3 2020
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