Workload and well-being

Background

The Minister for Education set up an education profession-wide stakeholder group to tackle issues relating to workload called the 'Managing workload and reducing bureaucracy group'. This consists of stakeholder representation from Welsh Government, regional consortia, local authorities, Estyn, Education Workforce Council, Welsh Local Government Association and trade unions.

They work collaboratively to identify workload issues and to commit to core principles of how they can be addressed, whilst also removing bureaucracy wherever possible.

The group recognises that finding solutions to workload issues and identifying areas where bureaucracy can be reduced will have a positive impact on teachers' mental health and well-being.

The group continues to meet and work collaboratively to consider solutions to workload related issues with particular attention to the effect of the pandemic, the disruption and changes to qualifications and to the changes to the curriculum.

Taking care of teachers (mental health and well-being hub for the entire school workforce)

Funded by Welsh Government, Education Support, a charity organisation with expertise in providing support for the teaching profession in relation to mental health and well-being, are taking forward a project to provide a number of resources to support the education profession across Wales in relation to mental health and well-being.

One of the resources Education Support have developed is ‘Taking care of teachers: Mental health and wellbeing hub’. This hub provides a range of support, information, videos and tools for education staff across Wales to use to support their mental health and wellbeing.

Education in Wales: workload charter

This workload charter is a commitment to improving the well-being of all school staff by reducing workload, enabling the
profession to focus on learners.