STRESSED-out East Lancashire teachers who find themselves in emotional turmoil because of problems in school can turn to a new 24-hour confidential helpline launched today.

Teacherline, spearheaded by the TBF: the teacher support network. and partially funded by the Department for Education and Employment, will become the country's biggest independent counselling, support and advice service for more than 450,000 staff in England and Wales.

And the freephone helpline, manned by professional counsellors, is expected to be used by at least 15,000 teachers in the first year and save up to £18 million by lowering sickness and absenteeism. Simon Jones, North West regional spokesman for TBF: the teacher support network, formerly the Teachers' Benevolent Fund, said: "The launch of Teacherline is a landmark in British teaching. It will help keep more teachers in the profession, help relieve stress and help individual teachers find solutions to the challenges they face.

"The service will work with them to develop coping strategies that will ultimately improve their wellbeing and effectiveness, in addition to dealing with serious work or personal problems.

"Teacherline is also there for those who simply want to talk through a hard day."

Most of the counsellors are former teachers and all have worked with teachers in a professional context for more than five years. They can offer independent, confidential advice on specific problems related to the profession, including stress, overwork, difficult students, difficulties with other staff or even personal issues like relationship worries, bereavement, drugs or alcohol abuse.

A spokesman for Teacherline went on: "Teachers play a vital role in society. They have a day-to-day responsibility for the wellbeing and development of our children and it is important their needs are supported and recognised.

"There is a great deal of evidence that teaching is a high stress profession. Teachers have been subjected to major changes over the part few years, an increase in workload and rising expectations from parents and the government."

The Teacherline number is 08000 562561.

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