The SBL Support Hub is a dedicated peer-to-peer network for school business leaders across England. We provide well-being support, crisis management guidance, and signposting to specialist resources. Our aim is to ensure every member has timely access to expert advice and a supportive community when facing operational or personal challenges.
We work with Advocates which are organisations which have a track record of supporting SBLs and will be able to continue to provide trusted and valued support.
We work with Partners who are individuals and include ISBL Fellows, SRMAs, known or experienced Consultants or school business leaders. Partners are independent volunteer contributors, who might be generalists or specialists.
We invite trusted partners and advocates to collaborate with us in delivering high-quality support. By contributing expertise, resources, or promotional reach, partners and advocates help strengthen the SBL Support Hub’s ability to respond effectively to member needs. In return, partners and advocates gain visibility with an influential sector audience.
The SBL Support Hub facilitates connections but does not endorse, guarantee, or accept liability for services provided by advocates or partners. Any contractual or commercial arrangements are solely between the advocate, or partner and the individual. For clarity advocates and partners are not agents of the Hub.
Career progression in the SBL world can be tricky to navigate.
We can help you identify areas to develop, point you towards training or CPD opportunities, and even connect you with mentors who’ve taken similar paths.
Whether you’re thinking about specialising, moving to a larger school, or stepping into a trust-wide role, we can help you map out your options.
First, take a deep breath. Mistakes happen, and you’re not the first or the last SBL to make one.
If you’re not sure what to do next, we can talk it through with you. Whether you need advice on fixing the issue, managing the communication, or just a bit of reassurance, we’re here to help you find a way forward.
Presenting to Governors can feel daunting, especially if you’re new to the role.
Start by focusing on clarity — keep your report factual, concise, and structured so that your key points are easy to follow.
If you need help, we can provide templates, examples, and guidance to help you feel more confident in the meeting.
This is a common situation, and it’s completely understandable to feel anxious.
We can help you understand what centralisation might mean for your role and signpost you to resources that explain the process and your rights.
If you want, we can also put you in touch with SBLs who have been through the same changes and can share what worked (and what didn’t) in their schools or trusts.
Tough conversations are part of the job, but they never get easy.
Take some time to prepare: write down the key points you need to cover, focus on the facts, and try to keep emotions out of it as much as possible.
If you’d like, we can help you plan your approach or connect you with someone who has handled similar situations — sometimes a fresh perspective can make all the difference.
First of all, you’re not alone — every SBL feels this way at some point.
We can help you find quick wins to get your workload under control, signpost you to time-saving templates and resources, or put you in touch with others who’ve been through the same challenges.
Sometimes just sharing the load by talking through your priorities with someone who understands the pressures of the role can make things feel manageable again.
You don’t have to do this job in isolation — there are some brilliant SBM networks out there, both locally and nationally.
If you’re not sure where to start, get in touch and we can point you towards networks in your area or online communities that match your needs. We can also help you figure out which networks might suit you best — whether you’re looking for peer support, sharing good practice, or mentoring opportunities.
Yes, much of the support you’ll find through SBL Support Hub is completely free.
Some services, like training, mentoring, or in-depth consultancy, may carry a cost — but you’ll always know upfront, and you’ll never be pressured to buy anything. Where there’s a free option available, we’ll make sure you know about it too.
Pick up the phone or drop us an email straight away.
Whether it’s a safeguarding issue, financial crisis, or just that everything feels too much, we can help you find the right support quickly. We’ll listen, we won’t judge, and together we’ll help you find a practical way forward.
Absolutely! We’ve all been there, and it can feel daunting at first.
Start by sending us a quick email to introduce yourself. We can signpost you to essential templates and resources, and even link you with a mentor who has been through those first few months and understands the learning curve.
You are not alone — your network is here for you.
It’s completely normal to feel this way. The summer often gives us time to breathe, and stepping back into the daily pressures can feel overwhelming.
Take things one step at a time. Start by reconnecting with what you enjoy about your role — maybe it’s the people, the problem-solving, or the impact you make on your school.
If you’re struggling to find that spark, reach out. Sometimes just talking things through with another SBL who understands can make all the difference, and we can connect you with someone for a chat or even a mentoring session.