Get help with flexible working in schools
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-02)

Help to implement flexible working, including a toolkit of resources, webinar training and support from flexible working ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools.

Flexible working in schools has many benefits. It can:
- help recruit and retain teachers
- improve staff wellbeing
- promote equality in the workforce
The Department for Education (DfE) recognises the challenges of implementing flexible working. We have:
- published a practical toolkit of resources to provide support
- appointed ambassador schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs) to support school leaders
- extended a contract with Capita to deliver webinars and oversee the flexible working programme until 2026
Flexible working toolkit

The toolkit includes practical resources for school leaders, trust leaders and teachers to help implement flexible working. It was produced by subject experts (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65156f9b6dfda6000d8e37da/Toolkit_experts.pdf) (PDF, 104 KB, 2 pages) including school leaders, other sector experts and DfE.

Use the toolkit to:
- increase your understanding and awareness of flexible working in schools, including its benefits
- develop and implement a flexible working policy, strategic approach and effective practice
- help staff request flexible working
The toolkit has been designed for use in all schools and settings, including:
- special schools
- alternative provision
- pupil referral units and trusts
The toolkit may also be useful for other settings if adapted for use, including:
- sixth-form colleges
- further education colleges
- other providers
Use the flexible working toolkit (https://www.flexibleworkingineducation.co.uk/dfe-toolkit) resources.

Flexible working ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools

Flexible working ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools (FWAMS) (https://www.flexibleworkingineducation.co.uk/about-fwams) offer advice and practical support to school leaders to improve flexible working in their schools.

Flexible working support can help with:
- designing a flexible working policy
- flexible hiring
- timetabling
- budgeting
Settings that can access FWAMS

Bespoke support is available to:
- MATs
- mainstream primary schools
- mainstream secondary schools
- special schools
- alternative provision settings and pupil referral units
- high disadvantage schools (where high proportions of pupils are eligible for the deprivation pupil premium)
Regional and specialist FWAMS

The Capita website (https://www.flexibleworkingineducation.co.uk/) provides further information, including how to get support from one of the FWAMS, or discuss support for regions or specialisms not listed.

Training Capita can provide

Capita is working with FWAMS to deliver a national programme of free workshops and webinars for school leaders and teachers on:
- the benefits of flexible working
- co-headship, and applying and working as a job share
- supporting equality of opportunity and diversity through flexible working
- overcoming barriers to flexible working
Contact

Email Capita at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) to:
- book a place on a workshop or webinar
- get support from one of the FWAMS
- discuss support for regions or specialisms not listed