Fundamentally Changing Absence Management: SupplyWell’s Flexible Workforce Solution

SupplyWell provides a seamless experience for both schools and teachers using our digital supply platform

We help schools connect directly with amazing teachers, teaching assistants, and cover supervisors. Built by a team of teachers and senior leaders who have experienced the challenges of supply and recruitment firsthand, SupplyWell is a group of teachers working with technology to create a fairer future for teachers, schools, and students.

My name is Michael Heverin, SupplyWell’s CEO and co-founder. I spent over 13 years working as a senior leader in schools before leaving the profession to prioritise my wellbeing. During that time, I discovered that my school spent an astonishing £22,000 in supply fees to cover my absence, with very little of that going to the teacher who was actually covering for me.  This lack of transparency in invoices and unfair treatment of supply teachers inspired the creation of SupplyWell.

To fundamentally change how schools manage absence, we first need to change our perspective on how schools operate. Teaching sits in a unique place in the public sector and is often run like a business. However, schools need to work differently from businesses as the current model is unsustainable for educators and school budgets. Traditional supply models are broken and not fit for purpose, understanding the reality of the situation is key. With 2.2 million teaching days filled by supply teachers who are often underpaid and undervalued, it’s crucial to treat supply teachers, teaching assistants, and cover supervisors fairly, or schools will continue to be overcharged by supply agencies.

Consistency in the classroom is key to outcomes, and that’s why a flexible workforce can alleviate pressures that arise from teacher absence. SupplyWell has built a better way of doing things. We’re not here to make money; we’re here to make an impact and bring equilibrium. The flexible workforce approach to tackling supply means that schools have an extension to their team with access to trusted members of teaching staff whenever they are needed. Ultimately, schools pay less for consistency and high-quality teachers, teaching assistants, and cover supervisors, while the educators are paid fairly, teaching happier, and have their wellbeing treated as a priority.

Taking a proactive rather than reactive strategy to absence management and adopting a data-led approach allows better proactive choices to be made in schools. It’s about investing in the continuity of your teaching workforce, not in the absence of it. With SupplyWell, schools can revolutionise their supply teacher model for the betterment of educators, students, and the education system as a whole.

The traditional approach to managing supply teachers is no longer sustainable or effective for schools, educators, or students. By exploring solutions such as SupplyWell’s flexible workforce, schools can transform the way they handle teacher absences, leading to a more consistent, cost-effective, and a fundamental change in the effectiveness of absence management. By prioritising the wellbeing and fair treatment of supply teachers, fostering a flexible workforce, and taking a proactive, data-driven approach, schools can create an environment where educators are happier, students receive a higher quality education, and the overall education system thrives. It is time for a fundamental change in the way schools obtain supply teachers, and SupplyWell’s digital platform offers a path towards a brighter and more equitable future for the education sector.

This is a sponsored article brought to you by SupplyWell

To find out more about how SupplyWell could benefit you, come and chat to them at Education Executive Live 2023. Book your tickets here!