Education Support is a UK charity "dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of the education workforce". Initially established in 1877 as a benevolent fund for teachers, but today supporting those in higher education and further education as well as schools. In September 2015 three sister organisations, Teacher Support Network, Recourse and Worklife Support, merged to create a new charity Education Support. It champions good mental health and wellbeing of teachers, lecturers, school leaders and support staff throughout their careers and during retirement as well as supporting education leaders to help improve professional and organisational development. Education Support's services are open to trainees, newly qualified teachers, serving teachers, headteachers, and retired professionals, teaching assistants and all education 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, wellbeing at work, and career development.
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. 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 decided 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. 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 LecturersBBC News. In 2015, the Teacher Support Network, Recourse and Worklife Support Partnership became Education Support.
