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Staff wellbeing

Last updated on 29 November 2021

Protecting the wellbeing and mental health of staff is:

  • essential for improving morale and productivity
  • critical to recruiting and retaining quality professionals
  • a legal duty: employers are required by law to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees
  • part of Ofsted’s inspection handbook

Education staff wellbeing charter

The DfE Education Staff Wellbeing charter is a declaration of support for, and set of commitments to, the wellbeing and mental health of everyone working in education. The charter is for education staff in England. This includes temporary and support staff. All state funded schools and colleges are invited to sign up to the charter, as a shared commitment to protect, promote and enhance the wellbeing of their staff. Sign up is voluntary and there is no deadline to sign up.

Full information and supporting resources are available at:

DfE: Education staff wellbeing charter

School workload reduction toolkit

Practical resources for school leaders and teachers to help reduce workload.

DfE: School workload reduction toolkit

Guide to supporting staff wellbeing

This booklet from the Anna Freud National Centre offers practical guidance about what school staff and senior leaders can do to support their own and their colleagues' wellbeing.

Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families: Guide to supporting staff wellbeing

Counselling

Schools may subscribe to an Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) which often include 24-hour telephone support for employees, trauma management, short-term face to face counselling sessions and a selection of wellbeing workshops. 

Education Support is a UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of education staff in schools, colleges and universities. 

Education support: Telephone counselling and support

Headspace for educators

Headspace offers free access to all teachers, school administrators, and supporting staff .

Headspace: Educators

Five ways to wellbeing

NHS: 5 steps to mental wellbeing

Action for happiness

GREAT DREAM framework with its 10 keys to a happier life.

Action for Happiness

Every Mind Matters

Every Mind Matters has been created by Public Health England, with tips and advice developed with experts and approved by the NHS.

Every Mind Matters

Last updated on 29 November 2021