TEACHER wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic crisis is a “serious concern” amid an intensive workload at childcare hubs set up in the county, councillors have warned.

At the meeting of Powys County Council’s learning and skills committee on Wednesday, May 13,  Cllr Sandra Davies brought up concerns about teacher and support staff well-being.

Teachers in Powys are now preparing lessons and dealing with pupils work and questions online.

They are also on rota to work shifts at the Childcare Hubs around the county, set up in March to provide childcare facilities for key workers during the coronavirus lockdown.

Cllr Davies, the Labour member for Cwm-Twrch, said that many teachers and support staff were putting their own health at risk and their families by “going in and out of these environments”.

She added: “What is going to happen when we come to the summer holiday period if we are still in this environment?

“Do we have plans in place for that to ensure that welfare of our staff is protected during that period?”

Interim chief education officer Lynette Lovell, answered the questions and said:  “Doing shifts at the hubs is exhausting.

“From 8am to 6pm they provide lots of activity for the children, and work on continuity of learning plans for their own classes. Their wellbeing is key here, many are getting tired now.”

Committee chairman, Cllr Pete Roberts, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Llandrindod South, said:  “I’m aware of at least one headteacher who has only had two days since the hub started, when they have not had to do some form of intervention.

“Even when they have been scheduled to have time off. It’s a very serious concern.”

Ms Lovell told committee members that as no date had been set in Wales for a return to schools, work had started looking at how to continue the childcare hubs through the summer period.

As part of this work education service and headteachers would also need to look at possibly opening further childcare hubs, as more people start returning to work.

“Our hub leaders are also the headteachers of their own school and the work is taking its toll and we need to ensure that they are effectively managed over the summer period,” added Ms Lovell.

Cllr Davies said: “It’s reassuring that it’s being looked at.”