Here are highlights from our third quarterly report for 2008. You can download the entire report (pdf format) here.

This graph shows the percentage that each charity makes up in the Group’s total service use.

Increase in service use across all charities: over 9,000 more interactions compared to this time in 2007
The total number of interactions handled across all charities between July and September 2008 was 23,499. This is compared to 14,324 interactions between July and September 2007, showing an increase of 9,175 interactions compared to the summer break last year.

Real life story: Support Line helps teacher overwhelmed by false allegations take control of situation
John is 45 and an experienced teacher, currently employed at a special needs secondary school. He was accused of sexually assaulting a child. The allegation was totally unfounded and the child concerned admitted this when he was asked about it further. When John called the Teacher Support Network Support Line his call was taken by a trained coach who listened to his thoughts and feelings about the whole situation.

Worries about the credit crunch continue: ‘Money’, ‘Grant and Loan Enquires’ increase almost 10 per cent
‘Grant and Loan Enquires’ increased even further for Teacher Support Network, making up 35.8 per cent of all calls this quarter, compared to 26 per cent the previous quarter and 29.6 per cent for the same period in 2007.

Working Conditions continues to be a top issue for NQTs and teacher trainees.

Trainees and NQTs experience more financial issues than ever: ‘Money’, ‘Grant and Loan Enquires’ increase by almost 20 per cent
This has also increased 15.8 per cent since the previous quarter and is now only just behind‘Money’ and ‘Grant and Loan Enquires’ now make up 29.8 per cent of all calls from trainee teachers and NQTs, compared to just 10 per cent for this time last year. ‘Careers’ as the top issue category.

Real life story: Support Line gives confidence to teacher isolated by colleagues at new school
Gwen is 43 and has been teaching for 17 years. She recently moved to a small rural primary school and was having some difficulties with her new colleagues. Her predecessor had decided to stay on in the school part-time following her retirement.

‘People skills’ category tops the chart for callers in Scotland with 26 per cent of all calls
The top issues for Teacher Support Scotland are different to other areas of the charity, with the categories ‘people skills’ and ‘Careers’ coming out on top. Find out more on page 24.

CUSN callers feeling the pressure at work and financially: call numbers continue to increase
The top issue category for CUSN callers remains ‘Working Conditions’, with 35.6 per cent of all calls this quarter. Read more on page 29. The top issue categories for TSS are different to other areas of the charity, with ‘People Skills’ and ‘Careers’ coming out on top, each with 26 per cent. ‘Personal Issues’ is the top category by
far for Teacher Support Network (England) and TSC.

Attached file(s):
• Third Quarterly Report for 2008