I have read with interest the thread on screening of visiting lecturers and also the discussion about Local Government and schools. Although working in OH I am also an ex nurse teacher and have been a visiting lecturer in the past.  At one stage, I also worked within a Local Authority as an Occupational Health Advisor on a short term contract specifically within the Education Directorate (for schools) Some 14,000 staff including "visiting" or supply teachers as they are know had pre-employment screening via health questionnaire.  I am at present working in a different LA in which we screen teachers also for diabetes and epilepsy pre-employment. If diabetic we request consent to notify headteachers and other relevant personnel to offer help if needed eg hypoglyceamia. Similarly for Epilepsy we obtain consent to enable help to be given if a fit should occur. This also applies to visiting/supply teachers. Whilst working as an OH specifically in Education, the majority of referals were for "stress" related sickness abscence, depression and anxiety. There was also a specific system for referals for workplace harrassment and also bullying. The Fitness to Teach regulations (Amanda spoke previously of these) mention that for school teachers there should be fitness to work in the context of mental health (not in those words as such) so Pre Employment screening took place to ascertain history of certain mental health problems. The NUT www.teachers.org.uk also has information on these areas. "Teacherline" is a free counselling service which teachers can be referred to specifically for stress related problems which is run by teachers who are counsellors and is a free facility via the telephone and was set up in recognition that sickness abscence in teaching due to stress is a major problem and health concern. The HSE Hazard publication on Work Related Stress could be a useful reference in relation to teaching either in schools or the FE and HE setting. The Association of University Teachers website www.aut.org.uk also has some information, advice and offers support for stress in teaching. From personal experience visiting lecturers prepare sessions in their own time, do not have the support of colleagues who know the particular University and also may undertake lone working at home. There are also traffic hazards if travelling long distances in addition to the normal stressors most teachers face. In addition a visiting lecturer may have problems getting a permanent lecturers position so may be stressed due to lack of work! I hope this contribution has been useful as I wanted to think more broadly and perhaps open further interesting discussion in this area. Kind regards, Sue Mclaren at http://www.ohnurse.co.uk/


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