School staff in West Dunbartonshire will be offered new support as part of a £1.5 million funding package announced by the Scottish Government to help manage additional pressures as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Barnardo’s Scotland and mental health charity Place2Be will offer new mental health support for staff with the intention that this will be available when schools return after the October break.

Education Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland will also offer new professional learning opportunities for post-probation teachers and develop a new coaching and mentoring offer for teachers who need it most.

The package of support for school staff has been developed with organisations represented on the Education Recovery Group.

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Education secretary John Swinney said: “Supporting the health and wellbeing of teachers and other staff is of paramount importance. 

“This was true before Covid-19, but it is of crucial importance as school staff support our children and young people to recover from the pandemic.

“This additional package of measures will complement the excellent practice which is already taking place to support the wellbeing of staff in schools across Scotland.”