From the Teacher Support Network, www.teachersupport.info.

TEACHER SUPPORT NETWORK BACKS TUC’S STAFF WELLBEING INITIATIVE

Teacher Support Network today welcomed the TUC’s initiative to promote staff wellbeing through 'good work'.

Julian Stanley, Teacher Support Network Chief Executive, said: “Good work’ is a vital ingredient in helping employees enjoy healthy and happy lives.

“This is particularly true for teachers, who experience amongst the highest sickness absence rates of any profession owing to fundamental problems in their workplace, such as workload, long hours, disruptive behaviour amongst pupils and challenging relationships at work.

“The provision of support for teachers who have had to take time of work through sickness is insufficient in many schools, as demonstrated by the difficulties some of the teachers who contact us have in securing a phased return to work.

“Schools must improve the support given to those experiencing health difficulties, whether physical or mental. On top of this, they must invest in the wellbeing of teachers and other schools staff, implementing meaningful policies that provide greater support, helping to reduce the likelihood of them developing problems.”

More information on the TUC campaign can be found here:

http://www.tuc.org.uk/newsroom/tuc-17643-f0.cfm

Teacher Support Network co-wrote the booklet ‘Common mental health problems: Supporting school staff by taking positive action’ with the Department for Chidren, Schools and Families. It was sent to every school in England and Wales last year. You can find a copy here: http://teachersupport.info/mental-health/index.php

For the Teacher Support Network Press Office, contact us on 02076 972 762, 07825 511 927.