A Senior Mental Health Lead is a strategic leadership role responsible for developing and implementing a whole-school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. This role is crucial for supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges, as the designated mental health lead plays a key part in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing within the school community.
What is a Senior Mental Health Lead?
The role of a Senior Mental Health Lead is a crucial one in promoting and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff in schools and colleges.
As part of the government’s commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing in education, the Department for Education (DfE) is offering grants to eligible state-funded schools and colleges in England to train a Senior Mental Health Lead.
This training is designed to equip senior mental health leads with the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to develop and implement a whole-school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Senior Mental Health Leads play a pivotal role in fostering a positive mental health culture within educational institutions. By developing comprehensive strategies and interventions, they ensure that mental health and wellbeing are prioritised across all aspects of school life. This holistic approach not only supports the mental health of students but also enhances the overall school environment, making it a more supportive and nurturing place for everyone.
Eligibility and Requirements
State-funded schools and colleges in England are eligible to apply for a grant to train a Senior Mental Health Lead. The role requires support from the Senior Leadership Team to meet programme requirements. Ideal candidates are members of the Senior Leadership Team or work closely with the leadership team. A quality assured course is a fundamental requirement for receiving grants related to senior mental health lead training.
Role and Responsibilities
The Senior Mental Health Lead is responsible for overseeing, planning, evaluating, and implementing a school-wide strategy to support mental health for all pupils and staff. The role involves developing and implementing a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Senior Mental Health Leads are responsible for influencing strategic change and embedding mental health and wellbeing into the culture of the school.
Benefits of Senior Mental Health Leads
Having a Senior Mental Health Lead can help promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the school community. The role can help develop a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing, ensuring that mental health is considered across all aspects of school life. Senior Mental Health Leads can also help directly support pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, providing guidance, resources and interventions to support mental health and meet the needs of the school population.
Training and Development for Senior Mental Health Leads
DfE assured training courses are available to support Senior Mental Health Leads in their role. These training courses cover a range of topics, such as neuroscience, auditing, and action planning. The courses are designed to give Senior Mental Health Leads the skills and knowledge needed to implement an effective whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
By completing this training course, Senior Mental Health Leads are empowered to develop a deep understanding of the complex factors involved in supporting the mental health of the entire school community and drive sustainable, positive change in their institutions.
Funding and Grants for Senior Mental Health Lead Training
The government is offering a grant of £1,200 for eligible state-funded schools and colleges in England to train a Senior Mental Health Lead.
Second grants are available to settings if the Senior Mental Health Lead that was previously trained left before embedding a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Grants can be reserved by completing an application form by 31 December 2024.
Course Outcomes and Learning Objectives
Senior Mental Health Lead training courses are designed to equip learners with the skills, knowledge, and understanding needed to implement an effective whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. Courses cover topics such as social and emotional learning, school culture, and mental health support teams. Learners will be able to implement and sustain a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Who Should Train as a Senior Mental Health Lead?
- Newly appointed Mental Health Leads or existing leads who haven’t yet completed this training are ideal candidates.
- Newly appointed or existing Mental Health Lead.
- Senior leadership team (SLT) member or an empowered staff member responsible for developing and overseeing the school’s approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Schools and colleges can decide who is best placed to take on the role of Senior Mental Health Lead and undertake the training.
Accreditation and Certification for Senior Mental Health Leads
DfE assured training courses are quality-assured and interactive.
Courses are delivered by expert trainers and facilitators.
Learners who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate and evidence of course completion.
Program Delivery and Structure
Training courses are delivered over 5 weeks.
Courses are designed to give Senior Mental Health Leads the skills and knowledge needed to implement an effective whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
The training is delivered in a way that is engaging and interactive.
Expert Trainers and Facilitators
At Connex Academy our course is delivered by expert trainers and facilitators with experience working in schools. Two of those are highly renowned in their recognised fields; Dr Elke Paul (co-founder of CreatePositive) is an international education and mental wellbeing consultant, content developer, facilitator, and speaker and Ella Savell-Boss is an NSPCC accredited safeguarding trainer and has over 17 years’ experience of working with children and families in education and safeguarding.
Our DfE approved course is modular and flexible and offers a mix of online & video instruction, directed reflection, webinars and coaching to best suit your learning needs. Trainers have a deep understanding of mental health and wellbeing in schools. Facilitators are experienced in supporting Senior Mental Health Leads in their role.
The Impact of Senior Mental Health Leads on Mental Health
Senior Mental Health Leads can have a positive impact on mental health in schools. The role can help promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the school community, as Senior Mental Health Leads play a key part in supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.
They are responsible for developing and implementing a whole-school approach to mental health, ensuring it is considered across all aspects of school life and providing guidance, resources and interventions to meet the needs of the school population.
Implementing the Senior Mental Health Lead
This type of role requires support from the Senior Leadership Team to meet programme requirements. Ideal candidates are members of the Senior Leadership Team or work closely with the leadership team, as the role involves developing and implementing a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. This ensures mental health is considered across all aspects of school life and allows the Senior Mental Health Lead to provide the necessary guidance, resources and interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of the entire school community.
Our Senior Mental Health Leads training programme will give you the skills and experience you need to develop a positive approach to mental health across your whole school. There is grant funding for schools and colleges, but individuals can also fund the course themselves if they wish. If you are interested in finding out more get in touch today here.
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If you would like any more information, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at info@connex-academy.com or call 01253 543 660.
