Scholengroep Dirk Martens
Scholengroep Dirk Martens wants to improve safety and wellbeing in its schools. They’re doing just that with IDEWE’s help, focusing on everything from risk assessments for maternity cover and electricity to preventing burnout. “Our organisation is taking huge steps thanks to IDEWE’s experts,” says prevention advisor Elke Lambrecht.
Scholengroep Dirk Martens consists of seven primary schools and two secondary schools, and the organisation has been working with IDEWE since 2021. Prevention advisor Elke Lambrecht believes the collaboration has been a success: “When I first started at the school group as a prevention advisor, there were four external prevention services. I convinced management at the time to work with just one external service provider, primarily because it’s easier to communicate with a single point of contact. When it comes to communication, IDEWE are head and shoulders above everyone else, simply because they’re easily accessible at any time. If I need to discuss something, I can always reach out to my contact by phone or by email," says Elke with enthusiasm.
The maternity cover risk assessment has helped to establish health monitoring for all staff.
Medical survey for maternity cover
The maternity cover risk assessment was drawn up last year within the school group in collaboration with IDEWE. The survey protects pregnant or breastfeeding women from potential risks to their own health and the health of their child.
“In the beginning, it was difficult to convince management of the need to implement medical surveys in our school group. For pregnant women, however, it’s just as important to determine their health status to establish which risks they can no longer take.”
Together with IDEWE, Elke succeeded in convincing the management. The survey has since been prepared for the entire school group. “The risk assessment is the same for all nine schools in our school group. This year, we’re starting the first survey for preschool education.”
Teachers are keen to take IDEWE’s courses. They are aware of the need to do so.
Popular first aid and fire prevention courses
Together with IDEWE, Scholengroep Dirk Martens also organised two educational study days. The focus was on two courses: first aid and fire prevention. “We took the courses, which covered both first aid and fire prevention. An IDEWE expert provided all the knowledge and skills on how to act quickly and correctly both in life-threatening and less serious situations.”
Elke asks every school year who would like to follow the first-aid course. Anyone can register for a fire-extinguishing course every four years. “I try to promote the courses in all nine schools. I notice that employees are enthusiastic, and teachers even ask if they can follow the course. The main reason is that they realise the course is necessary”, says Elke.
IDEWE give us tips and tricks on how best to help employees avoid long-term absences.
Tips and tricks and paying greater attention to burnout
This year, Elke notes that there has been an increase in burnout within Scholengroep Dirk Martens compared to previous years. “A lot of teachers went off sick after the inspection came in. That’s a problem. We’re committed to keeping in touch with these people as far as possible. IDEWE can also help us here. We also receive tips and tricks on how best to help employees avoid long-term absences. IDEWE has expertise in a whole host of areas, which helps us immensely as a school group.”