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Expectations of leaders

How leaders can promote an environment prioritising practitioner safety and wellbeing by using evidence-based safety measures.

Wellbeing

The standard highlights three core areas of focus for supporting practitioner wellbeing: 

  • safeguarding wellbeing and preventing harm 
  • responding to concerns promptly 
  • building and enhancing capacity 

It's important to emphasise preventative measures when promoting a healthy organisational culture. Organisations are expected to: 

  • create a safe work environment to improve practice with open access to regular, reflective supervision. See Employer standard 5: Supervision 
  • develop an inclusive environment that prioritises safety and encourages speaking out 
  • recognise the emotional complexity and address its effect on wellbeing 
  • commit to removing mental health stigma 
  • promote open wellbeing discussions at all levels 
  • proactively manage safety and wellbeing risks 
  • include measures to prevent harassment or violence 
  • address the challenges of lone working 
  • provide practitioners with practical support, advice, and tools for their roles 
  • ensure wellbeing policies are flexible to meet diverse employee needs 
  • support evidence-informed flexible working arrangements that consider both practitioner wellbeing and service needs 
  • offer evidence-informed tools for self-care and wellbeing across the workforce 
  • use co-design to develop wellbeing frameworks and interventions, focusing on workforce wellbeing 

Organisations are expected to: 

  • create systems that allow practitioners and managers to report issues, these issues include resource shortages and wellbeing concerns - the systems will ensure quick resolution
  • set up confidential channels for disclosing wellbeing concerns and seeking extra support 
  • allocate enough time for wellbeing support, do this through reflection and talks - they should be in person and online
  • offer guidance to supervisors and managers, direct them to further help about how to support employees with mental health conditions 

Organisations are expected to: 

  • provide learning and development opportunities to improve coping skills and capacity
  • offer relevant tools and resources 

Next Page: Benefits of achieving the standard

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The resources have been developed by Research in Practice in collaboration with DfE.
Published: 30 October 2024
Last updated: 11 June 2025