Questions on work-life balance and tackling difficult issuesOur Online Support Team are here to answer your questions 24/7.By Sally Baker : 17 September 2009
Our Online Support Team is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It could be a straightforward question or a bigger issue that's troubling you where we can give you some extra support. It's easy to take the first step. Fill in some simple details including what's on your mind and send it off to one of our trained advisors for a personal email response. Click here to try it out today. Here are some of the questions we've been asked this week: Question: I am very overwhelmed, writing curriculum, delivering content AND managing behavior in the classroom. I'm feeling very stressed- and it's only week three! Answer: It sounds like you are facing a lot of work right at the start of the new academic year and it's starting to feel a bit overwhelming for you. You mention feeling very ‘stressed' – you should certainly consider visiting your GP for advice, particularly if you are experiencing physical symptoms like feeling sick or having trouble sleeping. We have an online InfoCentre with a whole range of information available; the following factsheets may be useful: From what you've said I think you may also benefit from talking directly to one of our trained advisors here, the service is free and you can talk in total confidence. There is someone here to answer your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call our Support Line on 08000 562 561 (England), 0800 564 2270 (Scotland) or 0800 085 5088 (Wales). Question: I, and several other colleagues, have issues with our head of department and we are unsure how to resolve this problem. To summarise; there is a lack of discussion on any important issues, none of us feels valued or respected and there is a general lack of consistency in the department. These issues have been ongoing for some time, what is the best way to tackle this? Answer: It sounds like you, and your colleagues, are at the point where you feel you need to take action to resolve the issues you are facing in your department. I would suggest that the first thing you do, along with your colleagues, is to contact your union for advice on where you stand with your concerns. Secondly I would suggest that you document all the things that are of concern and highlight points and issues that need to be resolved. If others beside you are feeling the same, it may also be useful to have a meeting with your head of department to discuss matters further, so everything is clear. If you find that this has not worked and have exhausted all efforts to convince the head of department that these issues are serious, then you should consider approaching the headteacher. If you, or any of your colleagues, would like support during this time, you can call our free and confidential Support Lines at any time on 08000 562 561 (England), 08000 855 088 (Wales) or 0800 564 2270 (Scotland). You may also find these factsheets from our online InfoCentres useful: 
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Teacher Support Network is a group of independent charities and a social enterprise that provide practical and emotional support to staff in the education sector and their families