School leadership wellbeing advice and guidance

We recognise school leaders are key to promoting and maintaining wellbeing in schools as a universal entitlement for all.

The most effective school leaders place it at the heart of everything they do.

Wellbeing charter

The Department of Education (DfE) is asking all state-funded schools and colleges in England to sign up for its wellbeing charter.

The charter is a commitment to protect, promote and enhance wellbeing of all education staff including temporary and support staff.

For wellbeing guidance, resources and support use the following online guidance and downloads:

5 steps to mental wellbeing - Mental wellbeing NHS guidance
10 wellbeing tips for school staff (PDF, 1.29MB) - Wellbeing tips for school staff from Young Minds
Education Support - UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff
Ensure there is a robust mental health and wellbeing policy - policy guidance from Anna Freud
Essex Headteacher Wellbeing Programme - Rationale (Word, 144KB) - Wellbeing document from Essex County Council (ECC)
Essex Headteacher Wellbeing Programme - Trauma perceptive practice (TPP) briefing (Word, 732KB) - Wellbeing document from ECC
School Staff Wellbeing Policy - free draft policy from Welbee
Supporting staff wellbeing in schools - Booklet download on staff wellbeing from Anna Freud
Wellbeing in Education Strategy presentation (PDF, 2.41MB) - Wellbeing presentation on strategy for headteachers from ECC
Wellbeing in Education Strategy presentation (PDF, 3.87MB) - Wellbeing presentation on strategy for education leaders from ECC

Below are a series of videos on the ECC YouTube channel hosted by Sally Rendell specifically for headteachers: