Government Initiative - Senior Mental Health Lead Role
The context
The DfE is offering up to two thirds of schools (first come first served) in England a grant of £1,200 to help their senior mental health lead develop or introduce a sustainable whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. Using an evidence-informed approach to mental health and wellbeing leads to improved pupil emotional health and wellbeing which can help readiness to learn. It can support the mental health and wellbeing of the whole school / college community. Visit the DfE website to read more https://www.gov.uk/guidance/senior-mental-health-lead-training.
B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) course.
Between September 2021 and July 2023 a specific course for senior mental health leads in B&NES , Swindon and Wiltshire was delivered to over 200 schools. The training resources, slides and activities are now available to any school in B&NES and can be accessed by visiting the Wiltshire Healthy Schools website
All schools are also invited to a series of ongoing network meetings which provide support, information and advice to any Senior Mental Health Lead in B&NES, Swindon or Wiltshire.
These network sessions are held three times a year and will focus on supporting the role of the Senior Mental Health Leads in schools and colleges. They are useful opportunities for schools to ask questions, share good practice and hear the latest local and national updates. The focus will be on implementing a whole school and college approach to mental health. These meetings are free and take place from 3:30-5pm online.
Future SMHL networks: All dates and booking details are available here
Bookings are being centrally coordinated across all three authorities by Wiltshire using their Hub equivalent called ‘Right Choice’. A few B&NES schools already have a Right Choice account, in which case - please speak to your Headteacher or School Business Manager to request a Right Choice account for yourself. If your school is not currently set up on Right Choice, please ask your HT/SBM to email rightchoice@wiltshire.gov.uk to request a new school account. Then follow the link below for the sessions you want to book and attend.