Managing stress and change in schools Context Stress Trauma and change School management issues Website resources Dai Williams, Work Psychologist Eos Career Services Seminar for Education London November 2000

Context Schools as Learning Communities Families: parents & children Teachers Support staff Heads Governors Local community & economy Resources: knowledge, methods funds, facilities & controls Pupil outcomes qualifications career & life opportunities Staff outcomes income, security, achievement, fulfilment, health School outcomes: culture, reputation, survival & development National outcomes: future society & economic resources School organisation & education processes Government, professions & unions Past Future © Eos Career Services 2000

Stress in schools - 1 Who is affected? - students, parents - teachers, support staff - heads, managers, governors - groups & management teams What kinds of stress? - on individuals and groups - chronic, acute and delayed Stress occurs when pressures and demands exceed our coping capacity and resources © Eos Career Services 2000

Stress in schools - 2 Causes Workload Role Relationships Work culture Trauma Change Personal life Effects Mental health Physical Health Performance Relationships Groups Personal life Career © Eos Career Services 2000

Stress zones & effects over time Context Response Inner peace Calm, relaxed, euphoric Normal life: pressures balanced Motivated, positive with resources & support Ongoing pressures exceed Chronic stress. Coping capacity & support Anxious, at risk Trauma, overload Acute distress or crisis. or delayed transition crisis Danger zone: fight or flight © Eos Career Services 2000 Normal life Ongoing stress Key:Stress release & calming

Managing stress levels Low Medium High Arousal level Mental & physical performance High Medium Low Optimum performance Laid back Anxious Crisis Training & problem solving Relaxation & stress dumping FITNESS Social support Inactive © Eos Career Services 2000

Trauma and change The most severe forms of distress are often associated with the effects of trauma and change Major life events, good and bad, may start a period of “transition”. Transitions involve distinct phases and typically take 6-9+ months to work through. Transitions appear to be a fundamental survival process that enables human to adapt to radical change in our lives and environment. They are potentially vital growth points for personal and career development. Events that affect groups can result in a collective transition period with potential crisis and recovery periods. © Eos Career Services 2000

The Transition Cycle © Eos Career Services 2000

Potential transition events in schools Personal life events (for staff or pupils) Separation or loss Bereavement Redundancy Relocation Career change Family trauma Accident or illness Crime or justice School events New students New staff Promotion High achievement Disciplinary action New head or principal Violence or accident Re-organisation Adverse inspection report New IT or other systems © Eos Career Services 2000 Use the transition cycle chart to anticipate potential periods of crisis and recovery after these events

School management issues Promote a healthy work culture especially fitness & working hours. Anticipate risks of stress and change for students & staff. Recognise symptoms of acute stress for individuals and groups. Make allowances for transition effects in sickness/absence and disciplinary situations. Encourage mutual support among staff & pupils. Encourage career first aid awareness. Allow for transition cycles when planning periods of change and managing the aftermath of trauma. Seek professional support for individuals & teams in crisis. © Eos Career Services 2000

Eos Life~Work website resources More details about managing stress and change can be found on the Eos Life~Work website at: Relevant papers include (click for direct link if viewing on PC): Career First Aid Managing the Life~Work boundary Transitions: managing personal and organisation change Human responses to change Safe and dangerous organisations See also pages on professional networking, life~work themes and community projects. Comments welcome on the Eos Forum, or by to Dai Williams at phone Eos Career Services © Eos Career Services 2000