IEU Deputy General Secretary says staff safety is not an ‘extra’

For schools to flourish, all staff must be genuinely cared for – in both their work and their lives. With physical and psychological violence continuing to be a huge challenge in schools, consistent and meaningful support for educators is essential.

IEU members carry the immense responsibility of supporting students’ emotional and psychological wellbeing – and they should be proud of the profound impact they have each day helping students feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.

This work goes well beyond academic instruction; it’s fundamental to building a nurturing and inclusive school environment. But where is the same level of care and structured support for staff?

Occupational Health and Safety law requires every employer to take all reasonably practicable steps to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and free from health risks. This duty of care extends beyond physical safety to include psychological and emotional wellbeing – covering harm caused by stress, anxiety, and exposure to violence or aggression.

Yet excessive workloads and increasingly aggressive student and parental behaviour continue to erode staff health, often with little meaningful intervention from employers.

Survey revelations

In the recent IEU Victorian Catholic member survey, one in three members reported that their health had been affected by work-related stress in the past year, with injuries usually linked to overwhelming workloads and student behaviour challenges.

Principals and deputy principals describe a vicious cycle: burnout leads to understaffing, which then intensifies workload and resourcing pressures. School leaders themselves are grappling with rising levels of aggression, unsustainable workloads, and the emotional toll of supporting struggling staff. They urgently need proper assistance – including resourcing, professional training, and opportunities to debrief and decompress.

The frustrating thing is that the capacity to care already exists. Schools and education systems have long demonstrated their ability to provide robust wellbeing programs for students facing stress, anxiety, and family difficulties.

Safe spaces, counselling access, and proactive support help students build resilience and improve their mental health. It is well understood that students who feel safe, valued, and heard are more likely to engage with learning. Considerable effort has gone into designing structured approaches to support this.

Educators know that building trust strengthens students’ connection to school, encourages open communication, and plays a vital role in safeguarding children by identifying signs of harm or distress.

This proves the emotional intelligence, organisational capacity, and practical expertise to care for people already exists within the sector. Yet very little is done to apply that same care to the wellbeing of teachers and school staff – the backbone of the education system, and the most influential factor in school culture, and student outcomes.

As members point out in the survey, no other profession accepts such a casual disregard for the safety and welfare of its workforce. Staff wellbeing remains an afterthought. That must change.

Practical wellbeing support for educators:

Enhances teaching effectiveness

Support systems such as mentorship, collaborative planning time, and access to professional development enable teachers to grow in confidence and competence.

Reduces burnout and turnover

Providing access to mental health resources, manageable workloads, and a healthy work-life balance helps retain skilled staff.

Creates a positive school culture

A culture of mutual respect and support encourages stronger relationships throughout the school community.

Improves student outcomes

Teachers who are emotionally and mentally healthy are better able to support student learning, manage classrooms effectively, and respond with empathy and patience.

Supports mental health and emotional resilience

Regular access to wellbeing programs, counselling services, and stress management resources helps educators maintain their mental health and build resilience.

Caring for educators is not just about individual wellbeing – it’s a strategic investment in the entire educational system. Schools that prioritise the support of their staff build resilient, high-performing teams that can better meet the needs of students and the broader community.