Additional services

Some insurers offer a no frills policy with no additional benefits at the cheapest possible price, while others offer a range of services to help prevent and manage staff absence.

Some of the additional services in the staff absence insurance market are designed to improve your school operations and staff retention, whereas others aim to address and improve your workforce’s health and wellbeing. When taking out an insurance policy, make sure you consider the impact the services below could have on your school.

Occupational health and wellbeing support
Managing your workforce can be about more than just insurance. You may also need measures in place to reduce teacher absences and support absent staff back into work. Giving employees immediate access to healthcare and wellbeing services will prevent many absences, ensure a fast and professional response is offered to any absentees, and support your workforce through any professional or personal difficulties they are experiencing. For more information, please visit the ‘benefits of occupational health’.

HR services
Inevitably your school will need to deal with HR and employment issues and you may require professional advice and support. Dealing with such issues requires expert knowledge and can be time-consuming for your senior team.

Some providers will offer your school access to specialist HR consultants and employment lawyers with experience of advising on the day-to-day and strategic people challenges faced by schools and academies. These consultants will be able to advise your school on all aspects of employment law including representing schools in tribunal claims such as unfair dismissals, discrimination and equal pay.

When choosing a policy, make sure you ask the provider...
Do you offer a HR support and advice service?
Do you offer an occupational health and wellbeing support service?
Do you provide the option for schools to add a health cash plan to their policy?