We also offer peer support for Headteachers who are dealing with a crisis
For example the death of a pupil, a serious allegation or any other critical incident. We know that these situations can cause considerable stress and anxiety. We have a team of experienced volunteer Headteachers who have offered to provide peer support.
We know a crisis can erupt without warning, for example an unexpected pupil death, and can be extremely challenging to deal with. Headteachers can find themselves dealing with complex, highly charged emotional situations often liaising with a range of outside agencies. These situations cause stress in the moment and can trigger longer term anxiety. They can be some of the most intense and challenging moments of a HTs career.
Whatever the circumstances no school leader should have to face a crisis situation alone.
KAH has identified a team of volunteers who are ready to provide peer support to any HT dealing with a crisis. These volunteers are experienced HTs representing the full range of schools by type and phase and most crucially they have personal experience as a HT of dealing with a crisis.
How to access this support
Please complete this short online form to access this peer support, alternatively you can email support@kale-connect.org.uk Your request will be acknowledged and a volunteer HT will be allocated to provide peer support as soon as possible. You can access this support in the moment of crisis or afterwards when you are processing what has happened.
What you can expect
You will be contacted by a volunteer HT who will listen to you and seek to provide peer support in a way that works best for you. This peer support will not replace any statutory or local authority services but will work alongside this support.
The Wellbeing Group have developed the following guidance for the Headteacher requesting support and the volunteer providing support.
Guidance for the Headteacher dealing with a crisis
By engaging with a fellow headteacher, you are seeking their personal support. They will not offer legal or HR advice, but they will listen to you and talk you through the situation in which you find yourself, acting as a mentor. They may share details from their personal experience, telling you what worked for them and what did not and offer advice to help you formulate an action plan. They may also be able to signpost you to relevant organisations that can provide more official e.g. legal advice.
Guidance for the volunteer Headteacher providing peer support
This role is one of support and you will be acting as a mentor not a coach. You are not regarded as an expert nor as someone who can provide legal or HR advice. By offering to be a crisis support headteacher, you are agreeing to talk to or meet with a fellow headteacher who is experiencing a crisis that is similar to something you have experienced in your career. Your role is to listen to your colleague, discuss their issue with them and, where relevant, to share the benefit of your personal experience, what went well and perhaps what did not; what would you have done differently. You are asked to listen to what your colleague is going through, to offer moral support and, if appropriate, to help them create a plan of action to deal with the situation. You may also wish to signpost them to any useful organisations as appropriate.