Prioritise staff training and professional development
Wellbeing and mental health support should be part of the core business of everyone in school.
Identify what training is needed for school staff.
All secondary schools should offer teachers, and other practitioners in school, training and support in how to develop children's social and emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Training and development will also help ensure that school staff have the knowledge, understanding and skills to deliver related parts of the curriculum effectively.
Click each item below.
Teachers should be able to manage behaviour effectively and have a clear understanding of the needs of pupils, including those with mental health needs.
School staff should be trained to identify and assess the early signs of anxiety, emotional distress and behavioural problems among secondary schoolchildren; they should know how to access pastoral care or specialist services and be able to assess whether a specialist should be involved, and make an appropriate request.
Training may cover listening and facilitating skills and the ability to be non-judgmental.
Pupils should be supported to build successful relationships and helped with predictable change and transition.
