So how can taking an insurance policy support a healthier workforce?

Taking a policy with Harrington Bates provides a wealth of award-winning occupational health and wellbeing. Anybody part of your staff absence insurance will automatically get access to a wide range of support, and you can even look to include whole school wellbeing so everyone can reap the benefits!

Who are Smart Clinic?

Smart Clinic are the amazing company who provide occupational health and wellbeing services alongside our sickness policy. The services they provide include, but are not limited to:

• Pre-placement screenings
• 24-7 employee assistance line
• Menopause counselling and support
• Physiotherapy
• Counselling
• Stress management

Hop on to their website to read about all the fantastic things they are doing within schools https://smartclinic.com/ 

How else can occupational health and wellbeing help? 

Staff absences can have a detrimental impact on students and colleagues, and it also has financial implications of having to find cover or supply staff. However, Smart Clinic are there to support staff members back to work and, in some cases, prevent the absence from occurring!

Staff are able to access all the occupational health and wellbeing without being absent or have the need to contact the school as they will have their own access to the Smart Clinic client area. Therefore, it provides extremely good support from the outset which limits the risk of longer-term absences, benefiting both the staff member and the school!

If you would like to look at taking a policy with us so your staff can benefit greatly from the above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and we would be more than happy to help!

A secondary school in London has announced they will be open to pupils for 12 hours per day to try and break teenager’s tech obsession. The headteacher wants to help children who spend their lives buried on their devices with some unable to make eye contact or maintain a conversation. The pupils will be offered extracurricular activities including art, dodgeball, basketball and cookery classes and they will also be served a hot dinner after the official school day ends.

Earlier this year the government announced a crackdown on phones in schools, however many had already banned them during lessons. The guidance backed headteachers in prohibiting the use of phones through the school day (including break times). Schools will be able to choose an approach to prohibiting mobile phones which suit them, but this could include banning phones from the school premises, handing in phones on arrival at school or keeping them locked away.

Why are schools banning mobile phones?

• Using mobile phones in school can lead to online bullying, distraction and class disruption which can lead to lost learning time. Phones often lead children to take part in activities they usually wouldn’t so banning phones would take the pressure off children to act impulsively and participate in negative behaviours.
• Sleep cycles are affected by blue light from screens which trick our brain into thinking it is sill daylight, making it difficult to sleep. This then has a negative impact on children and young people during the school day.
• Too much passive screen time could weaken communication and social skills and some research has found that children who spend more than two hours a day on screen-time activities scored lower on language and thinking tests.

Are there any benefits of screen time?

• Children in households with computers perform better academically than peers who do not have ready access to computers.
• The internet gives children access to a wealth of information to help build their knowledge.
• Online games and activities can enhance teamwork and creativity.
• Interacting with computers can improve visual intelligence and hand-eye coordination.

To be able to use mobile phones effectively, children need education and guidance both at home and at school. Mobile phones can have a positive impact on children however there are many negative effects that can easily be prevented. Adults should role model when it is and is not okay to use them and they will need to enforce boundaries around safe, responsible and appropriate use.

What is your school’s policy on mobile phones?

Red Nose Day is a big annual charity event organised by Comic Relief. Red Nose Day started back in 1985, making 2024 its 39^th year! The day raises money to keep children safe, healthy and educated. Over the last six years, it has raised more than £250 million to help end child poverty and has positively impacted over 25 million children around the world. The vision of Comic Relief is to live in a just world, free from poverty. They believe those closest to the issues have the best solutions, so they partner with amazing projects and organisations that tackle some of the biggest challenges faced by society today.

How can you take part?

There are many ways to take part in fundraising for Red Nose Day:

• You can bake the wonkiest cake,
• Run backwards dressed as a lobster,
• Host a silly games night for your friends.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you enjoy yourself and have a laugh.

Your donations make a real difference to people around the world. All year-round, the money donated to Comic Relief works hard to support some incredible projects making a change to peoples lives across the UK and around the world. Over the last year, Comic Relief funding has helped to support 4.1 million people.

As of 2022, Comic Relief has raised more than £1.5 billion in 37 years, and last year £42 million was raised during Red Nose Day. With your help and support with fundraising, this year even more could be raised. Everyone here at Harrington Bates will be taking part and wearing red noses, let us know how you will be!

This week is children’s mental health week and this year’s theme is My Voice Matters. This week empowers, equips and gives a voice to all children and young people in the UK. Children’s mental health week was launched in 2015 by Place2Be and each year hundreds of schools, children, parents and carers take part. Is your school taking part this week?

My Voice Matters is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves. When they feel empowered, this can have a positive impact on their wellbeing. Children and young people who feel their voices are heard and can make a difference, have a greater sense of community and self-esteem. This year, Place2Be want children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to be empowered to work together to create a positive change for their mental health and wellbeing.

Last year, YoungMinds reported a record high of urgent referrals and open referrals for under 18s in England.

The key issues impacting youth mental health include:

• Lasting disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic,
• The ongoing cost of living crisis,
• Increasing pressures from social media,
• The climate crisis.

What are the signs to look out for?

• Significant changes in behaviour,
• Ongoing difficulty sleeping,
• Withdrawing from social situations,
• Not wanting to do things they usually like,
• Self-harm or neglecting themselves.

How can you support a child or young person?

• Be there to listen:

Regularly asking a child how they’re doing, helps them get used to talking about their feeling and know that there’s always someone there to listen.

• Take what they say seriously:

Listening to and valuing what a child says makes them feel valued. Consider how to help them work through their emotions in a constructive way.

• Build positive routines:

Try to have structure around regular routines, especially around healthy eating and exercise. A good night’s sleep is also important, so having a fixed time for going to bed and getting up makes a difference.

In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having a mental health problem has increased by 50% and the Good Childhood Report 2022 shows that children’s happiness continues to decline. Now, five children in a classroom of 30 are likely to have a mental health problem.

Children are not getting enough mental health support which is why this week is so important! Having a positive impact on children makes the difference that all children and young people need right now!

This week (22^nd -28^th January) is cervical cancer prevention week which typically takes place each year in the last week of January. The primary goal of this week is to raise awareness and to encourage women to attend cervical screenings (smear tests) and provide information about HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccinations.

Cervical cancer prevention week was established to honour the memory of Jade Goody, a well-known British reality TV star, who passed away from cervical cancer at a young age. Her story highlighted the importance of early detection and prevention. This week brings attention to the lives that have been impacted by cervical cancer, find solutions, and remember those that we have lost.

In the UK – 1 in 4 people don’t attend screenings.

In the UK, around 3,200 women are diagnosed every year with cervical cancer, with over 800 losing their lives. However, the UK has the tools to prevent cervical cancer. We have a wide-reaching HPV vaccination programme and a highly effective cervical screening and colposcopy service. These tools are preventing more cases than ever before, and we also have the mental health support with charities such as Macmillan and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.

Two women die everyday from cervical cancer in England and a further 9 women are given a life changing diagnosis BUT cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and getting screened can stop it before it has even started! So, make sure you get your HPV vaccinations and you attend your smear tests because it could save your life!

How can you get involved?

• Share information – by sharing information about cervical cancer, it spreads awareness and may help encourage other people to get their smear test or go and get checked out.
• Attend a screening – if you have received your invitation to get a screening and have put it off or life has gotten in the way then now is the time to go.
• Support HPV vaccinations – the vaccine is usually offered to children aged 12-13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV so by making sure these groups get their vaccination it can save so many lives!

For only £100 you could help fund a day’s cost of a dementia advisor for their telephone support line. These advisors provide vital work by giving people a listening ear and specialist guidance when it’s need the most.

Why do Alzheimer’s Society need support today?

• Dementia is the biggest health and social challenge of our time.
• There is currently estimated to be 900,000 people in the UK with dementia with many undiagnosed and facing the realities of their condition alone.
• With the help and support from fundraising, Alzheimer’s Society can give vital support to those who need it the most, hold decision-makers to account and fund ground breaking research to transform the future for everyone with dementia.

1 in 3 lives will be devastated by dementia in the future. The time to act is now!

How does the Alzheimer’s Society provide help and hope?

• Through support lines, online and print information, expert dementia advisors and an online community, Alzheimer’s Society give advice and practical guidance for the next steps as people living with dementia navigate the hardest times of their lives.
• Through vital work, Alzheimer’s Society want people living with dementia to enjoy more fulfilled lives.

How can you get involved?

• The easiest way is to dress up. This can be as simple as wearing a festive jumper or an elf hat but there are also plenty of other ways to fundraise such as wearing something red or green or perhaps arranging an elf run!

Everyone here at Harrington Bates will be taking part, let us know how you will be too and send in your pictures!

Why is Remembrance Day important?

• To remember the sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from the UK and the Commonwealth.
• To pay tribute to the special contribution of families and of the emergency services.
• To acknowledge innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict and acts of terrorism.

The theme of Remembrance Day 2023

Remembrance Day 2023 is about remembering and honouring service. Physical, mental or emotional injury or trauma; the absence of time with loved ones; or the pressures that come from serving, highlight why the Remembrance of service is so important.

The Armed Forces continue to play a vital role in Britain today, at home and overseas. From peacekeeping and disaster relief, to helping in the fight against COVID-19, it is important to remember the contribution of those serving in the Armed Forces.

Why wear a poppy on Remembrance Day?

The poppy is the enduring symbol of remembrance of the First World War. Poppies were a common sight, especially on the western front which is where the poppy became a popular symbol of remembrance.

How can I be part of remembrance Sunday?

• There are lots of local parades all around the country that you can attend.
• Support the Poppy Appeal and wear a poppy.
• Take part in the two minutes silence at 11am.

This weekend gives you the opportunity to recognise the personal sacrifices made by men and women, past and present and be part of the commemorations so wear your poppy with pride!

World Teacher’s Day is celebrated on the 5^th October every year, all around the world!

Why are teachers important?

We all know teachers don’t just teach. You support, nurture, and inspire our children. You play a vital role in shaping and developing children by pushing their limits and helping them strive for better. This is why we are celebrating you today!

Teacher’s Day has been observed all over the world since 1994 after the UNESCO Recommendation Concerning Teachers. It celebrates the marking of the “Teaching in Freedom” in 1996. This year’s theme is The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers. Is your school celebrating?

According to UNESCO, the world needs 69 million teachers in order to achieve the goal of providing universal primary and secondary education by 2030. That’s a lot of teachers! Do you think this would be achievable? Let us know.

Why is world teachers’ day important?

• The day honours you, the teaching profession, all around the world.
• It highlights the current issues that are affecting teaching.
• It applauds progress but also challenges stagnation.

Harrington Bates wants to celebrate you by providing you with direct access to health and wellbeing cover from the Smart Clinic when your school buys an insurance policy with us! We recognise that you spend so much time caring and supporting our children all year round, so now let us take care of you when you need it!

Below are some tips to make going back to school that little bit easier:

1. Be prepared!

Being organised and getting everything you need ready the night before can make the mornings much easier. You’re less likely to forget anything and it may even mean you get a little longer in bed!

2. Get a good night’s sleep.

There are numerous studies that show poor sleep can have negative affects on concentration. So, having a good night’s sleep is vital and makes you feel much more ready for the day. How many hours per night do you get?

3. Have a good breakfast.

Starting the day with a well balanced and nutritious breakfast helps to boost your energy levels throughout the day which in turn keeps your concentration going for every lesson. What’s your favourite thing to make for breakfast?

4. Take one day at a time!

Planning is key! You may start to feel overwhelmed by the workload and homework but by prioritising each task you are more likely to get everything done and have more time to do what you enjoy doing.

5. Talk to someone.

If you are struggling with school, talking to someone you trust can always help. A problem shared is a problem halved! Our Harrington Bates policies include occupational health and wellbeing cover so there is someone around to support you 24-7!

That’s why as part of Mental Health Awareness week, we’re providing our readers with five practical and simple ways to look after their mental health.

Making these small changes to how you live won’t take up lots of time or cost a small fortune. They are designed so that anyone can follow them. Why not start today?

1. Talk, talk, talk!

We know it’s often not easy to talk to other when you feel troubled, but it really does help. And it isn’t a sign of weakness. It takes courage to let others know when you’re struggling, and you’ll feel much better for it.

Rather than keeping things to yourself, confide in someone close to you. Just being listened to can help you feel supported and less alone.

And it works both ways. If you open up, it might encourage others to do the same.

2. Get active

Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. It is also proven to be great for mental wellbeing, helping to reduce anxiety and stress, combatting low mood and increasing self-esteem.

And the great news is you don’t need to start marathon training to reap the benefits. Low intensity exercise works great to. The most important thing to consider is finding something you enjoy, whether that’s going for a walk or taking up a new sport or hobby.

3. Quality sleep

It’s widely acknowledged that sleep plays a large role in a person’s mental wellbeing. After all, there’s a reason it’s said that someone in a bad mood “woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”

Sleep is closely connected to mental health and has demonstrated links to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and other conditions.

There are simple ways to improve your sleep which anybody can do. These include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and tobacco in the evening and dimming lights as you begin to unwind.

Also, refrain from using electronic devices such as mobiles and tablets for an hour before bed.

4. Discard negative relationships

Negative relationships are highly detrimental to a person’s mental health. Whether with a partner, friend or family, it’s important that you invest your time in people that make you feel good about yourself and add value to your life.

Being in relationships where you are judged, put down or dismissed can impact your mood, self-esteem and ultimately make you anxious or depressed.

Try to remedy relationships where possible, but if you feel any of the above when you spend time with someone, it may be time to draw a line and move on.

5. Learn a new skill

Every day provides the opportunity to do something different or learn something.

Knowledge fuels self-confidence. Research has proven that lifelong learning, whether acquiring a skill like learning a new language or taking up an activity like bird watching or a pastime like pottery, can greatly improve your mental wellbeing as it adds meaning to life.

It also allows you to escape any worries or concerns you may have, and focus all your attention on something new and something you enjoy.

Set yourself a challenge, no matter how big or small.