Working in education can be immensely rewarding, but it can also be physically, mentally and emotionally demanding.

Whether you are a teacher, teaching assistant, higher-level teaching assistant, cover supervisor, learning support assistant or another education professional, your working day may involve responding to changing needs, building relationships, managing competing priorities and helping children and young people feel safe and supported.

This is true across both SEND and mainstream education. It can be particularly noticeable for supply staff who regularly move between settings, learn new routines and adapt to different teams and expectations.

Looking after your wellbeing is not a luxury or a sign that you are less committed to your role. It is an important part of building a sustainable career in education and recognising when you may need additional support.

Why wellbeing matters when you work in education

Education professionals are often focused on the wellbeing of the children and young people they support. However, constantly concentrating on the needs of others can make it easy to overlook your own.

Looking after your wellbeing can help you:

• recognise stress before it becomes overwhelming
• recover after challenging or emotionally demanding days
• maintain healthy and realistic boundaries
• manage change with greater confidence
• ask for help when you need it
• continue working in education in a sustainable way

Wellbeing is individual. What helps one person may not be right for another, and your needs may change depending on your role, setting and circumstances.

Notice what affects your wellbeing

Regularly checking in with yourself can help you recognise changes in how you are feeling. This does not mean analysing every difficult day. It means paying attention to patterns that may suggest you need rest, practical adjustments or additional support.

You might notice:

• difficulty switching off after work
• changes to your sleep, appetite or energy
• feeling unusually anxious, irritable or overwhelmed
• dreading work for an extended period
• regularly missing breaks or working beyond reasonable limits
• finding it more difficult to concentrate or make decisions
• feeling emotionally affected by particular situations or incidents

These experiences do not necessarily mean that something is seriously wrong, but persistent or worsening changes should not be ignored. Speaking to someone early can make it easier to identify what support may help.

Practical ways to support your wellbeing during the school day

There is no single wellbeing routine that will suit every person or every education setting. Small, realistic actions can nevertheless make a meaningful difference.

Where your role and the school day allow, try to:

• take your agreed breaks rather than routinely working through them
• drink water and eat regularly throughout the day
• ask questions when responsibilities, routines or expectations are unclear
• identify who you should speak to if you need practical or emotional support
• pause briefly after a demanding interaction before moving to the next task
• focus on realistic priorities rather than expecting yourself to complete everything at once
• use the support and supervision arrangements available within the setting

If you are involved in a safeguarding concern, serious incident or situation that leaves you feeling unsettled, follow the setting’s reporting procedures and speak to the appropriate member of staff. You should not be expected to carry concerns alone.

Create a transition between work and home

Moving directly from a busy working day into home responsibilities can make it difficult to mentally leave work behind. A simple transition routine can help signal that the working day has ended.

This might include:

• taking a short walk after work
• listening to music or a podcast during your journey home
• changing clothes when you arrive home
• turning off work-related notifications at an agreed time
• writing down non-confidential reminders for the next day
• making time for an activity that helps you relax or reconnect with other parts of your life

Remember that confidential information about pupils, colleagues or settings should never be included in personal notes or discussed outside appropriate professional channels.

Protect your professional boundaries

Healthy boundaries are not about being unhelpful. They allow you to work safely, professionally and within the responsibilities of your role.

This may mean:

• asking for clarification if you are unsure what is expected of you
• speaking up if you are asked to complete a task for which you have not been trained
• taking the breaks to which you are entitled
• being realistic about your availability and travel distance
• not accepting placements that you know are unsuitable for your experience or circumstances
• contacting your teaching agency if a placement differs significantly from the information you were given

Clear communication allows schools, education settings and consultants to understand what support you need and which opportunities are likely to be suitable for you.

Find approaches that work for you

Wellbeing advice can sometimes feel like another list of things to complete. You do not need to adopt every recommendation or create a perfect routine.

Instead, consider one or two manageable approaches that fit your circumstances, such as:

• spending time outdoors
• building regular movement into your week
• maintaining a consistent sleep routine where possible
• making time for hobbies and relationships outside work
• talking to someone you trust
• using breathing, mindfulness or grounding exercises if you find them helpful
• reflecting on positive moments as well as difficult ones
• seeking professional support when self-help strategies are not enough

The aim is not to remove every source of pressure. It is to understand what helps you recover, maintain perspective and respond when something is affecting you.

What should supply staff do when a placement affects their wellbeing?

Supply work can offer valuable flexibility and experience, but unfamiliar routines, unclear expectations or unsuitable placements can sometimes affect your wellbeing.

If you experience a problem during a placement:

1. Speak to the appropriate school contact where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
2. Report safeguarding concerns immediately through the setting’s safeguarding procedures.
3. Make a factual note of relevant information without retaining confidential pupil information.
4. Contact your consultant if the role differs from what was agreed, your responsibilities are unclear or you feel that you do not have the support required to work safely.

Your consultant needs accurate information to understand the situation, communicate with the setting where appropriate and help identify suitable next steps.

Wellbeing support for registered Axcis candidates

Axcis is a specialist SEND teaching agency that also supports a growing number of mainstream education roles across England and South Wales. Our candidate support extends beyond helping education professionals find their next placement.

Registered Axcis candidates have access to the Still Human wellbeing app. Designed for people working in education, the app includes:

• daily wellbeing check-ins
• guided mindfulness exercises
• expert articles
• podcasts and videos
• practical wellbeing resources

These resources can be used throughout the year, whether you are working in one long-term setting, completing short-term supply placements or preparing for your next role.

Registered candidates can also access professional development through The Axcis Academy, including training provided in partnership with The National College.

When should you seek additional help?

Wellbeing resources and everyday habits can be useful, but they are not a replacement for professional mental health care.

Consider speaking to your GP or another qualified health professional if stress, anxiety, low mood or other changes are persistent, worsening or affecting your sleep, relationships, work or daily life.

You can also find confidential support through Education Support’s helpline for education staff.

If you or someone else needs urgent mental health help, use the NHS guidance on getting urgent mental health support. Call 999 or go to A&E if there is an immediate danger to life.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to feel tired after working in a school?

Education work can be physically and emotionally demanding, so some tiredness after a busy day is understandable. If exhaustion is persistent, worsening or affecting your daily life, consider speaking to your GP or another qualified health professional.

How can I switch off after a difficult school day?

A consistent end-of-day routine may help. This could include a short walk, changing clothes, limiting work notifications or talking through a concern using the appropriate professional support channels. Avoid taking confidential information home or discussing identifiable pupils outside work.

Should I tell my teaching agency if a placement is affecting my wellbeing?

Yes. Contact your consultant if the placement differs from what was agreed, you do not feel adequately supported, your responsibilities are unclear or you have concerns about your ability to work safely. Safeguarding concerns must also be reported immediately through the setting’s procedures.

Who can access the Still Human wellbeing app?

The Still Human wellbeing app is available as a benefit for registered Axcis candidates. Contact your consultant or email info@axcis.co.uk for help accessing it.

Can a wellbeing app replace professional mental health support?

No. A wellbeing app may provide useful resources and everyday support, but it is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health professional.

Looking after yourself supports a sustainable education career

Caring about your wellbeing does not make you less dedicated to the children and young people you support. Recognising your limits, using available resources and asking for help are important parts of working safely and sustainably in education.

Your wellbeing needs will not always remain the same. Continue checking in with yourself, communicate when something is not working and seek appropriate support when you need it.

This article provides general wellbeing information and is not medical advice. If you are concerned about your mental health or wellbeing, speak to a qualified health professional.