Maternity risk assessment in special needs teaching

[Zibidee]

I am 11 weeks and have already had one risk assessment done where I teach in a complex needs secondary school. The headteacher was very accommodating and agreed to everything I requested (better seating, no involvement in challenging behaviour, adaptations for personal care).
I was wondering what other things pregnant people required in their risk assessment for 2nd and 3rd trimester, especially relevant to a very physical job like SEN teaching. I guess it's similar to nursing, policing, nursery workers. On my feet most of the day, 8-4, only 40min lunch break, then two hrs of desk work at the end of the day.
I feel like I'm not going to manage my current role much longer but don't want to take early leave, I'm hoping their will create an adapted role later on. But maybe I just feel like this because I'm still in the exhausting 1st trimester!

Any pearls of wisdom?

Hi Zib,

I am a gardener, so not the same but following as also an active role.

Its interesting you said your requests, because I am not an expert on maternal risk assessing (first pregnancy) so kind of was hoping a risk assessment would be robust from the employer saying you cannot do xyz - rather than me asking for requests IYSWIM.

I think there was a standard RA for things like seating. But I had read about other things that might be high risk in early pregnancy e.g. some advice says no to hydrotherapy pools due to the heat, and about specific students that would be higher risk and who I didn't feel safe working with. So I did feel it was a joint effort.
Just not sure what other things might be an issue in 2nd and 3rd. And have others been able to insist on alternate roles towards the end when the big bump and tiredness and needing to wee, not being able to stand as long would all impact on a physical job. Rather than being forced to take early leave.

Current government covid guidance states women must be able to socially distance at work in their third trimester. If you are unable to do this in your normal role, you should be given other work to do, or else sent home on full pay. I think that’s something you should make sure your work are aware of so they can plan ahead for what you’ll do.

Ok I didn't know that, is that regardless of vaccine status? I will have had 3 Covid vaccines by then.

@Zibidee

Ok I didn't know that, is that regardless of vaccine status? I will have had 3 Covid vaccines by then.

Yes, I’m fully vaccinated and have been sent home. You can find the info online