Overworked school leaders struggled to find an hour free in their schedule to take part in free, government-funded mental health support sessions, an evaluation of the scheme found. Education Support has been offering six professional supervision sessions for staff in assistant headteacher roles and above as part of a 拢1 million Department for Education scheme. A , published Thursday, urged the Department for Education to consider 鈥渉ow the culture around expectations for leaders accessing support could be changed鈥�. It said this could include 鈥渟etting clear expectations (and associated time/funding) for school leaders to access supervision or support for mental health and wellbeing鈥�, after a number spoke of 鈥渉ow isolating the role can be鈥�. 鈥淏arriers [to engaging with the support] are related to school leader workload and expectations around school leaders accessing support.” 19% didn’t start mental health programme The programme offers 鈥減eer support鈥� sessions which provided leaders “with an opportunity to discuss the challenges they face within a group of others鈥�. Supervision was also offered to “leaders in need of or preferring one-to-one support”. The sessions consisted of “confidential conversations about the work they do and how the challenges they face impact them as professionals”. Up to the end of April, 314 (26 per cent) applicants had completed all six sessions, while 102 (8 per cent) 鈥渟topped engaging鈥� before the last of their appointments. Meanwhile, almost a fifth (19 per cent) of the 1,221 eligible applicants to the scheme 鈥� which was launched in 2021 鈥� came from people who did not start the programme after being offered a slot. Leaders report reduced stress and anxiety The study noted that some had 鈥渇eelings of guilt around taking time for support and prioritising their own needs鈥�, as previously reported by Schools Week, while others identified stigmas 鈥渁round seeking help鈥� as a barrier to engagement. Meanwhile, those working on the project said some leaders found it difficult to 鈥渇ind an hour/hour and a half within the working week to participate鈥�. A further 264 (22 per cent) applicants 鈥渨ere awaiting contact about their first session or had been placed on a waiting list鈥�. Those who benefited from the support reported said they had 鈥渞educed stress and anxiety, improved management of workload and wellbeing, and greater clarity of thinking鈥�. Government is looking to extend the scheme.