keenly by pupils due to the specialised support they need.
FEATURE: SCHOOL MAINTENANCE & DESIGN for many years.
Arguably the most important benefit born out of use of a software like Risk Manager. With the specialised support SEN pupils require, it is important to consider the wider, more specific risks that may arise.
Potential hazards can be identified, tracked and monitored, allowing schools to implement the appropriate preventative measures to both effectively manage incidents if they do happen and reduce the likelihood of future occurrence through effective reporting. For example, where hoists are required for the physical movement of pupils, this potential risk must be charted into the system and inform regular maintenance checks to make sure it remains operational. Reactive maintenance can also be managed quickly and efficiently, minimising disruption. This is not only practical management but makes sure that the environment functions in the way it was designed. For example, damage to elements in a classroom may interfere with acoustic or lighting elements, that are carefully designed to create the best environment for SEN pupils who may be more sensitive to these factors.
With the aforementioned shortfall in funding to address all remediation requirements across England’s schools, it unfairly falls back to the schools and their estate teams to try and implement change to help prevent further deterioration and better building conditions. Plus, not supporting schools in creating excellent learning environments will take focus away from high-quality education and ultimately negatively hinder other governmental goals around levelling up the UK.
Taking the heavy lifting out of SEND school asset management
School maintenance is of course not just about repairs – it is a continuous task. Like any educational facility, SEN schools face risks and management requirements across health and safety, legal and compliance, which risk management software can manage effectively. SEN schools are responsible for providing education and support to students with a range of needs, covering physical disability, behavioural challenges, neurodivergence and learning difficulties. Just like any educational facility, these schools face a range of risks across health and safety, legal and compliance, and finance. However, the variety of risk factors they face is much more numerous, and the negative impact of not managing these effectively is felt more
Organisations have all manner of compliance considerations, but SEN schools are subject to a range of unique regulations and requirements. Ranging from standard health and safety through to disability discrimination laws, these must be met to avoid costly penalties, reputational damage or legal ramifications.
Alerts and reminders can be attached to important deadlines, making sure that necessary steps and documentation are handled at the appropriate time. This system also allows the allocation of certain tasks to certain people, making sure there is no confusion on responsibilities within the staff body.
Enhanced decision-making and efficiency maximisation
All data pertaining to risk, incidents and compliance is housed in a central place. By analysing this data, schools can identify trends and make strategic decisions to improve the overall functioning of buildings and the wider estate.
Risk management software also provides insights to inform effective resource allocation. By identifying areas of risk and prioritising appropriately, schools can ensure that they are using their resources to maximum effect, which works to improve outcomes for students by directing the right things to where and when they are most needed.
Equally, the ability within tools like Sypro’s Risk Manager for users to allocate tasks and actions to individual staff members, along with housing all communication, removes any ambiguity or opportunity for misunderstanding – making sure that all processes are clear, transparent and easy to follow from start to finish.
A final note
The pressures on education institutions and staff are innumerable, and the Department for Education’s Schools White Paper – Opportunity For All looks to intensify this further with several announcements last year. This includes the revelation that Ofsted will inspect every school by 2025, including the backlog of ‘outstanding’ schools that haven’t been inspected
June 2023
www.education-today.co.uk 35
The education system has for a long time put the greatest focus on grade outcomes, but we must remember that schools are responsible for so many other things such as health and wellbeing, safeguarding, condition, and assets to name just a few.
If we are to overlook the responsibilities at large, we risk the pressures of bringing all schools into an academy format over the next eight years mounting to a point that teachers and teaching standards suffer, thus impacting results. If a system can automate any processes, it works towards keeping the pressures on estates teams and teachers as light as possible so they can focus on improving both environments and education in tandem.
Finally, with the ongoing move towards academising, those schools looking to be incorporated into a Multi-Academy Trust must prove themselves a secure asset. Having systems that manage risks in place already will be a huge benefit in this position, with the acquiring MAT party being able to see the system and audit trails to back up a sound investment.
Software exists to make things quicker and easier. Automating many elements of risk management – such as incident reporting and reactive actions, and regular maintenance tasks – does just this for users. Ultimately, this saves all-important time, which can be funnelled into other tasks that improve education.
For more information, please visit
http://www.sypro.co.uk/
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