Education Support

About Us

At Education Support, our mission is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff. We believe that better mental health leads to better education and we are the only UK charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of the entire education workforce.

Through our nearly 150 years in the education sector, we have developed an understanding of the pressures of working in education and we know it is a unique environment. Our extensive research around the mental health and wellbeing of the education sector, including our Teacher Wellbeing Index (TWIX), tells us that education staff are struggling. 78% of education staff are stressed and 39% of education staff said they have experienced mental health issues in the last academic year*. In addition, our recent Commission on Teacher Retention** revealed that 78 per cent of teachers said they would be likely to leave the profession if they were offered a job in another sector, which promised a better work-life balance. Education Support delivers services to support education staff and improve mental health and wellbeing. Services designed with the needs of educators at the forefront, with support tailored specifically around the unique challenges presented by working in the education sector. We know that unique challenges require tailored support and our extensive experience allows us to deliver effective services underpinned by the research and quality assurance we undertake. It also ensures we can evolve and iterate our services to meet changing needs.

Our services

Our expertise in the sector allows us to deliver services that are tailored for people working in education, with everyone delivering our services trained to understand the education sector. Specifically, our Employee ASsistance Programme (EAP)  is designed to provide bespoke support for anyone working in schools, colleges or any other education setting.

EAP Plus

EAP Plus Our EAP Plus portal gives schools and individual users a package of advice and information designed to help education staff support their own wellbeing, identify issues and access support before they reach crisis point. Developed using our knowledge and expertise across the sector, EAP Plus focuses on three key areas:

• Support for staff wanting to protect and prioritise their wellbeing
• Support for school leaders on how to stay well, while creating cultures that care
• Support for schools who want to look after their staff.

Resources are regularly added and updated, and the EAP Plus service provides access to non-EAP services at a discounted rate.

Telephone support and counselling

At the heart of our service is our emotional support helpline. It is available 24/7/365 and is the first point of access for people accessing our EAP. Callers always speak to a fully qualified counsellor (BACP accredited) who understands the education sector. Access to trained counsellors on demand gives staff support to deal with challenges as they arise rather than allowing them to grow and have a bigger impact.

Face to face counselling

The EAP provides access to a series of counselling sessions, available in person, via video conference or telephone. Users will receive an appointment within 10 days of their first call to the EAP.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Our Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT), In My Hands, provides an alternative to traditional in-person counselling services. It is self-paced and includes weekly involvement from counsellors.

Manager Assist

Line management can be challenging, especially in an education environment, but getting is right is an important part of staff wellbeing. Manager Assist offers support to those in a managerial, team leader or supervisory role, helping to develop skills, support the navigation of challenging conversations and offering impartial and confidential advice and support.

Mindfulness coaching

AWARE, our mindfulness programme, helps individuals learn the practice of being mindful to engage in the present moment with focused attention using online technology to deliver the service.

Additional services

Additional to the services above, staff can access legal and financial advice and our Life Coaching service.

< Back to Commercial Supporters