The Government has set aside £800,000 to provide “tailored mental health and wellbeing support” for headteachers.
The Department for Education (DfE) has already been running a pilot scheme across 385 school and is now planning to roll out the programme across all schools in England; subject to the appointment of a provider to deliver the programme.
The pilot scheme is being run by the charity, Education Support and, although it is not clear whether the current incumbent is being considered for the nationwide scheme, it is understood the contract will be awarded in readiness for the new school year in September.
Last year, Education Support’s teacher wellbeing index survey revealed that 77 per cent of teachers and 89 per cent of senior leaders reported feeling stressed.
The initial programme has already resulted in help and support being delivered to 225 senior leaders and using evidence from the pilot, the DfE is looking to extend the support to headteachers in both secondary and primary schools, for up to 18 months.
In a statement, the DfE confirmed that it is: “now assessing the next phase of this provision, which will build on the evidence from the pilot and aim to offer tailored mental health and wellbeing support to school leaders, as part of the department’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Samantha Randall, an Associate with Palmers Solicitors and an employment law expert, said: “Mental health is now a massive issue in the workplace. Employers and senior school leaders need to ensure that they provide all members of staff with the optimum conditions where they feel they do not need to hide issues they are facing.”
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