Teacher Support Network
| Founded | 1877 |
|---|---|
| Type | charity |
| Focus | providing practical and emotional support to the education sector |
Area served |
England 08000 562 561 Scotland 0800 564 2270 Wales 08000 855 088 |
Key people | Julian Stanley, Chief Executive |
| Website | http://www.educationsupportpartnership.org.uk |
Education Support Partnership is a 24/7 helpline for all teachers. It aims to provide practical and emotional support to staff in the education sector and their families regardless of age, length of service, or union affiliations to improve well-being, quality of life, and career effectiveness.
Education Support Partnership services are open to trainees, newly qualified teachers, serving teachers, headteachers, and retired professionals, teaching assistants and all eduation staff, as well as staff in the adult, further, and higher education sectors. The charity's areas of expertise include finance, housing, care issues, health, well-being at work, and career development.
The Telephone Support Line offers free, information, advice, and solution-focused counselling to teachers and lecturers. The helpline provided by national charity Teacher Support Network is available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.[1]
Education Support Partnership is the new name for the joined forces of:
- Teacher Support Network (England).
- Teacher Support Cymru.
- Teacher Support Scotland.
- Recourse (formerly College and University Support Network.)
History
The organisation began as a benevolent fund for teachers, which was set up by the National Union of Teachers in 1877.
In September 1999, it launched its telephone counselling service for teachers suffering from work-related stress. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the line took over 11,000 calls in its first year.
In 2001, it began offering online services such as email counselling and fact sheets of information useful to teachers.
In 2001, Teacher Support Scotland was established to provide specific support to teachers in Scotland. A year later Teacher Support Cymru was set up to provide similar support to teachers in Wales.
In 2005, Teacher Support Network trustees took the decision to formally invest in a policy and public affairs function.
In 2006, the charity launched the College and University Support Network with, the support of the University and College Union The new charity provided specialist support to all those working in post-school education. In 2010, College and University Support Network was relaunched as Recourse.
In 2008, Teacher Support Network conducted a literature review which, for the first time, pulled together and evaluated the evidence available about teacher well-being.
In 2010, high-profile cases, including the Peter Harvey case, led to an increase in calls from teachers to the network.[2]
In 2010, the Teacher Support Network and British Council for School Environments produced the 2010 School Environment Survey, with promotional assistance from Association of Teachers and Lecturers BBC News.[3]
In 2015, the Teacher Support Network, Recourse and Worklife Support Partnership became Education Support Partnership
Support
The support they provide is invaluable: the combination of emotional support and informed advice as they know how the school system works - a Teacher Support Network Service User
Teacher Support Network's vision is for all teachers and lecturers to have access to practical and emotional support to improve their wellbeing, professional effectiveness and personal fulfilment.
The charity has a range of services available to suit teachers' needs including:
- 24/7 Support Lines (England: 08000 562 561 Wales: 08000 855 088)
- Financial assistance
- Online support
- InfoCentres
- E-newsletters
Policy
Teacher Support Network's group of charities strive to ensure that national, local and school level policies all help to improve teacher health and wellbeing. In doing so, the group aims to improve school performance overall.
Reports
some key publications
- 2010 School Environments Survey:[4]
- Beyond the school gate:
- in partnership with Parentline Plus
- in partnership with the British Council for School Environments
Teacher Support Cymru
Teacher Support Cymru "is a free counselling, support and advice service for teachers in Wales. It also provides online coaching and the service is fully bilingual"[5]
Teacher Support Scotland
Teacher Support Scotland was set up in 2001 to provide specific support to teachers and their families in Scotland.
Recourse (formerly College and University Support Network)
Recourse provides free support services specifically for all staff working in adult, further and higher education. Supported by University and College Union, Recourse complements the work of the union offering information and advice, telephone counselling, online coaching and financial assistance.