Isolation, loneliness and disconnection

Further education

A free toolkit for FE staff to address loneliness and isolation, offering practical guidance and signposting to strengthen wellbeing and belonging

Last reviewed: 29 October 2025

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This resource belongs to the resource hub for a whole-school or college approach.

  • Author The Education and Training Foundation
  • Whole-school or college approach principles Key
    5 Staff development, health and wellbeing
    Supporting
    • 1 Leadership and management
    • 2 School ethos and environment
  • Estimated read time
    15 mins

About this resource

This resource explores the issue of staff loneliness and isolation in FE settings. It provides practical support to help FE and skills staff working across multiple settings and in hybrid environments to maintain connections, feel valued and foster a sense of belonging. 

It offers a wide range of information, strategies and signposting, all of which are appropriate and designed to help staff who may be experiencing isolation, loneliness or disconnection.

 

Using this resource

This resource is designed for: 

  • leaders and managers in FE settings looking to strengthen staff wellbeing and belonging 

  • mental health leads in FE settings who want to signpost staff to effective, evidence-informed wellbeing resources. 

Learning outcomes

This resource addresses the following learning outcomes: 

  • Create a plan to develop, implement and sustain a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing, tailored to their setting’s needs. 

  • Put in place strategies to identify, understand and overcome resistance, and bring key stakeholders with them. 

  • Reflect on personal development needs, and put in place plans to be effective in role. 

  • Sustain and continually improve the approach in their setting, working effectively with peers and support networks. 

  • Build stronger links with appropriate local services and feel empowered to take a role in shaping these. 

  • Monitor the impact of a whole school or college approach in their setting. 

Download resource Save resource page

This resource belongs to the resource hub for a whole-school or college approach.

  • Author The Education and Training Foundation
  • Whole-school or college approach principles Key
    5 Staff development, health and wellbeing
    Supporting
    • 1 Leadership and management
    • 2 School ethos and environment
  • Estimated read time
    15 mins

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