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Wellbeing Advisory Service

Are you a school leader or wellbeing lead who wants to transform how your school approaches staff mental health and wellbeing?

Read on to find out how you can access funded expert advice from a staff wellbeing advisor.

Our advisory service is funded for schools across Wales with a focus on staff wellbeing. We provide practical resources and expert guidance to help you prioritise staff mental health and wellbeing in your school. With our help you can take meaningful change at your school.

After contacting the service in 2024/2025 over:

94%

of schools felt more confident about how to improve staff wellbeing in their school

Depending on your needs our advisors can support you to:

  • Develop a tailored staff mental health and wellbeing action plan
  • Develop new staff wellbeing strategies and policies
  • Develop staff wellbeing surveys or questionnaires
  • Create staff wellbeing groups
  • Raise awareness of support services, resources and signposting for staff wellbeing

Benefits

The benefits of improved staff wellbeing will be felt across your school.

  • You will be empowered to foster a supportive school culture that actively promotes positive wellbeing
  • Your school staff will be confident that you prioritise their wellbeing and take their mental health seriously 
  • You will have access to a reliable source of high-quality information and resources on staff mental health and wellbeing
  • You will be confident that your school’s approach is informed by best practice and the guidance outlined in Embedding a Whole-school Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing 

Put staff mental health and wellbeing at the heart of your school culture.

Apply now and an advisor will contact you.

"The wellbeing advisor support was excellent - very approachable and willing to listen to the individual context and suggest ideas. The wellbeing service has significantly developed my own awareness as a school leader, and particularly some of the practical ways we can work together to support all staff."
Headteacher

Hear from schools who have used the service

An illustration of colleagues supporting each other

Linsey’s story: meeting with a Staff Wellbeing Advisor led to a ripple effect of positive impacts for our school

A simple illustration of a work colleagues representing peer support

Sarah’s story: none of it feels like we’re just ticking boxes – it has helped to raise the conversation about mental health in our school

FAQs

What happens when I apply?

You will contacted by a specialist staff wellbeing advisor who will provide more information about the levels of support available to you and your school.

Does it cost to participate?

No, these services are funded thanks to support from Welsh Government.

How do I apply?

Please use our online application form. 

“As a school we really appreciated the level of support received from our advisor. All targets were well discussed and always followed up with supporting materials. An excellent and extremely helpful service.”
Senior school leader and wellbeing lead

Meet your Wellbeing Advisors

Claire Caldwell
Claire Caldwell

I've spent over 20 years working in education, holding a variety of roles across school with particular experience in senior leadership, Special Educational Needs, safeguarding, and the development of teaching and learning. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working alongside dedicated education professionals, gaining valuable experience and insight into both the opportunities and challenges that schools face.

I've seen first-hand the difference that educators make to the lives of children and young people, their families, and colleagues. The impact of education staff is significant, and I believe it is something that should be celebrated, supported and protected. This is what drew me to Education Support. I am passionate about helping those who support children and young people to thrive themselves, recognising how important this is in a constantly evolving education landscape.

Outside of work, I am an Inclusion Lead for Scouts Cymru, a Squirrels Leader, and a governor at a local school, giving me opportunity to continue to support and work with young people in different arenas. Most importantly though, I love spending time with my husband and son. Living in Flintshire gives us lots of opportunity to explore beautiful North Wales - heading off on adventures together, spending time outdoors and making memories with my family in this lovely place is by far my most favourite thing.

Emma Burton
Emma Button

I've spent over 20 years working in education, predominantly in specialist settings supporting children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Throughout my career, I've held a variety of roles spanning educational leadership, mental health, facilitation, and strategic improvement and change projects. I'm also a qualified Trauma-Informed Practitioner, which strongly influences my approach to working with people.

Having worked in education for so many years, I've seen first-hand the extraordinary difference that great staff can make to the lives of children and young people. I believe passionately that education staff have the ability to change lives, but to do this, they need to work in environments where they feel valued, trusted and empowered.

This is what drew me to Education Support. I'm passionate about helping schools create positive, supportive cultures where staff can flourish, recognising that looking after the people who work in education is fundamental to achieving the best outcomes for the children and young people they support.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, walking on the beach and being around horses. Living close to the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline means I'm lucky enough to enjoy plenty of time outdoors!

Jessica Sharkey
Jessica Sharkey

Based in Carmarthenshire, Wales, I’m a School Staff Wellbeing Advisor with over 14 years’ experience in education across England, Wales and internationally. My journey began as a mealtime assistant, and what started as a temporary role quickly grew into a real passion for school life and the people and pupils who make it what it is.

Since then, I’ve worked in a variety of roles, from teaching assistant and holiday club facilitator to classroom teacher of various ages, subjects leads, senior leader and supply teacher. Having experienced school life from so many different perspectives, I understand the unique pressures, challenges and rewards that come with working in education.

Alongside my time in schools, I’ve also supported adults living with poor mental health through the planning and delivering of creative wellbeing programmes in the third sector. A creative at heart, I love all things hands-on, from painting and floristry to crafting and cooking. I also feel most at home outdoors, and treasure walks in the beautiful Welsh countryside with my family and our two golden retrievers.

Bringing together my experience in education, mental health and creative wellbeing, I’m passionate about helping schools become emotionally healthy communities where staff feel supported, understood and valued.

Wan Maroof
Wan Maroof

I’m a School Culture and Wellbeing Practitioner at Education Support.

I live in Cardiff and love exploring food spots in my local area. I also enjoy getting out for walks, and we have lots of lovely places to explore- one of my favourite things to do is walk along the Taff Trail.

I’ve always been interested in mental health and education. I started my journey as a primary school teacher before training as an integrative counsellor. That’s where I found my passion for supporting the mental health of education staff.

Now, I support schools to develop more positive cultures where staff feel valued and appreciated.

Wellbeing Support and Development Services
Wellbeing Support and Development Services
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