Senior Mental Health Lead | Early Years

Course Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes (approx.)

Senior mental health leads working in independent or international schools should have the knowledge, practical skills and tools to be able to plan for and effect positive whole school or college change. They are pivotal in supporting schools to implement and sustain an effective whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.

This course provides senior mental health leads with a clear understanding of their role and supports them to develop a clear vision and strategic plan which effects change, helps enhance pupil outcomes and delivers greater emotional and physical wellbeing for all stakeholders.

Delivered by Anna Bateman, mental health and wellbeing expert who works in an advisory role for the DfE, the course has been split into bite-sized modules and will be delivered through a blend of high-quality remote video CPD and self-directed learning.

Please note: The course consists of learning through video, task completion and further reading/research. Please consider this when planning and allocating your time. To successfully understand and achieve the objectives from the course, learners are expected to engage in all aspects of the learning process and complete all relevant activities to ensure they can successfully apply the knowledge and skills they have gained in their own setting.

Designed in line with the following policies:

Promoting children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing 2021
Learning outcomes for senior mental health leads in schools and colleges 2021
Mental health and behaviour in schools 2018
Equalities Act 2010

Learning Objectives

Understanding how to develop a strategic action plan to implement change which supports positive mental health and wellbeing for staff, pupils and parents.
Recognising the key responsibilities of the senior lead for mental health and how to identify needs and monitor the impact of any interventions.
Understanding how to ensure children and young people can get targeted support and the importance of supporting their own wellbeing as well as that of staff and pupils.
Realising the knowledge and skills to be able to create a positive ethos in relation to mental health and ensuring the voice of every learner is heard and valued, and influences decisions.
Recognising how to work with parents, families and carers and promoting resilience and supporting social and emotional learning through the curriculum.

Course Units

Introduction

Module 1: Mental health and the education context

This module will explore what we mean by mental health and what this looks like in the education context. We will also discuss what is meant by a ‘whole school approach’ and what this means in practice.

Module 2: The role of the senior mental health lead

In this module, we will explore the role of the senior mental health lead in more depth and how they can lead change. We will also look at how to develop a strategic plan that suits the needs of your school.

Module 3: Creating an ethos and environment

In this module, we will discuss how to foster a whole school attitude and understanding of mental health within a school and how to reduce the stigma around staff and students’ mental health.

Module 4: Identifying need and monitoring impact

This module will look at the tools used to assess when there may be a mental health difficulty and reflect on the best tools to assess all pupil’s mental health so earlier intervention is possible.

Module 5: Targeted support and appropriate referrals

In this module, we will reflect on the range of services available within your locality to support mental health, exploring the benefits of creating partnerships with other services for the benefit of pupils.

Module 6: Curriculum teaching and learning

This module will explore how we can contextualise PSHE and RSHE and understand how PSHE is a key part of prevention and promoting awareness of mental health.

Module 7: Enabling student voice

In this module, we will explore the role of children in developing a whole school approach to mental health and the benefits of gaining feedback from students.

Module 8: Staff development

In this module, we will explore the importance of promoting staff-wellbeing and also leading by example by taking care of your own wellbeing.

Module 9: Parents, families and carers

In this module, we will explore how to engage with parents and carers effectively and promote the best outcomes for pupil mental health.

Module 10: Mental health and boarding

This module will discuss how to apply best practice mental health and wellbeing provision to schools with boarding facilities in order to support children and young people.

Module 11: Steps to success

In the final module, we will look at the key points for success and what steps you can look to take next.

About The Expert

Anna Bateman

Subject matter expert on mental health & wellbeing, who works in an advisory role for the DfE.

Find out more

Certificate in the Role of the Senior Mental Health Lead for Independent and International Schools (2022-23)

Available on demand

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About The Course