With infection rates falling, detailed plans have now been unveiled for all children and young people to return to full-time education across the UK throughout August and September.

Restrictions on group sizes will be lifted to allow this to happen; however, education providers will need to ensure that COVID-secure measures remain in place to reduce the risk of transmission in their setting. Added to this, of course, is the challenge of reintroducing your teaching and non-teaching staff, and overcoming the various employment-related issues this presents.

To support your preparations, our Head of Team & Solicitor Jane Hallas and Senior Health & Safety Consultant Scott Crichton will be hosting a free 45-minute insight and advice session to offer clear, practical advice on the urgent challenges facing school leaders, help you approach situations confidently, and enable you to plan for a smooth, safe transition.

Speaking to educational leaders every day, the pair will cover some of the issues we know to be front of mind right now, including: 

• Dealing with anxious staff and refusals to work appropriately;
• Managing pregnant staff and staff with disabilities;
• Restructuring and redundancies (planning, process and notice periods);
• For independent schools, how to change terms and conditions;
• Handling health and safety issues raised by unions;
• Dealing with dysfunctional management teams; and
• Other everyday operational difficulties and managing difficult employees.

From a health and safety perspective, there has been very little relaxation of legislation or standards for schools during COVID-19. In fact, compliance has never been more important. The session will help you to understand what “reasonably practicable” steps schools should take prior to reoccupation and the vital role of risk assessment.

Plus, if there are still certain question marks around aspects of your reopening arrangements, there will also be an opportunity to put your queries to Jane and Scott for direction, clarity and reassurance.