Only one fifth of teachers see themselves in career in five years' time, poll finds

One in five teachers say that it is unlikely they will still be working in the profession in five years’ time, according to a survey.

Just over half of teachers and school staff said they feel confident approaching their school management team with concerns about their own mental health.

In regard to pupil mental health, only a third of teachers and school staff said they feel confident recognising mental health problems from the behaviour of their pupils.

Place2Be, the children’s mental health charity, polled teachers and school staff across Scotland as it launched a free online mental health training programme for teachers.

While a majority still said that they are looking forward to the next year of teaching, just one in six said they are confident about preparedness to recognise and support emotional problems in children

Almost a third said that managing classroom behaviour feels stressful or causes anxiety and only a quarter said that they could intervene to support pupils with serious social, behavioural or emotional issues.

The data from 439 teachers and school staff in Scotland showed that  34 per cent felt confident in being able to recognise mental health problems from the behaviour of their pupils.

Only 25 per cent felt confident they could intervene to support pupils and just 16 per cent said they are confident about tools or strategies to recognise and support emotional problems.

Just over half – 56 per cent – of Scottish respondents feel confident in approaching their schools’ management team about their own mental health and wellbeing and 20 per cent say it is unlikely they will still be a teacher in five years’ time.

Place2Be released the survey alongside a new online training programme for schools on children’s mental health.

It said the Mental Health Champions – Foundation Programme is now available to 50,000 UK teachers.

Jacqueline Cassidy, Place2Be Director, Scotland, said: “The past few months have been challenging for many children and families, but particularly those who were struggling before the pandemic. As schools come back together, teachers will play a crucial role in supporting children with these difficult feelings, and promoting ways to look after our mental health. 

“It’s so important that teachers feel confident and equipped to spot the signs of when a child might be struggling and need professional help. Place2Be is proud to be offering this mental health training programme for free to 50,000 UK teachers. I hope many teachers across Scotland register.”