Alliance chief executive Neil Leitch
is set to call for a focus on the wellbeing of the early years
workforce, at this year's Early Years Alliance annual
conference.
Minds Still Matter: a positive
approach to supporting wellbeing in the early
years,
will take place virtually on Thursday
20 June at 6pm.
This comes less than three months
ahead of the roll-out of the next phase of the entitlement offer.
Overall, the expansion will require an additional 40,000
educators by September 2025.
In his speech, Neil will criticise
misconceptions surrounding mental health, using his own personal
experiences to reaffirm that mental health challenges are not a
choice but an illness.
Neil will then highlight the impact
this has had on the sector's workforce directly, referencing the
Alliance's Minds Still Matter report,
saying:
“Mental health challenges come in all
shapes and sizes and rarely are those challenges obvious. When I
visit early years settings, I often see smiling educators,
engaging with young children, chatting happily with
parents.
“And yet, I know from our own research that beneath the
surface, many within our workforce are struggling. Struggling
with anxiety, depression, fatigue, low morale. With insomnia and
panic attacks.”
He will also acknowledge the
dedication of educators to support families at a time when they
are facing acute and significant challenges. and in turn, the
subsequent impact this has on educator's own wellbeing.
Recounting a recent conversation with an educator, Neil will
say:
“Just a few days ago, I was talking with a manager at a
setting that has a total of 51 registered children, with 35 of
those requiring additional
support.
She said to me: “Neil, I'm not sure I
can cope with this much longer. I am constantly worried about
safeguarding and in trying to support these children, and I worry
that I am the one who will end up in prison, because I am
overstretching myself”.
“We cannot underestimate the pressure
this puts on the workforce and for someone to feel like that, is
totally unacceptable.”
Neil will then stress the vital need
to focus on wellbeing in the sector, urging anyone who is
struggling to seek help and support:
“It is no exaggeration to say that
those who work in the early years change lives. The work you do,
day in and day out, lays the foundations for future generations…
And be in no doubt, for many children and families, you are among
the most important people in their lives. But as the saying goes,
you cannot pour from an empty cup.”
The conference will also feature
keynote addresses from Professor Jack Shonkoff, director of the
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, and Poorna
Bell, award-winning journalist, author and public
speaker.
