Workshops
Practical sessions designed to build skills, confidence, and resilience.
Whole School Approach
Whole School Approach
Whole School Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing
Supporting mental health across your entire school community
Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) work collaboratively with schools to develop a sustainable, evidence-based Whole School Approach to mental health and wellbeing.
A Whole School Approach recognises that emotional wellbeing is everyone's responsibility. By creating supportive environments, promoting positive mental health, identifying needs early, and providing appropriate support, schools can help children and young people thrive both academically and personally.
Our role is to work alongside schools, not to replace existing systems. We help strengthen the support already in place by providing consultation, training, advice, and resources that build confidence and capability across the school workforce.
What are MHST functions 2 and 3?
MHSTs deliver support through three core functions. Functions 2 and 3 focus specifically on helping schools develop their approach to mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Function 2 - Supporting the senior Mental Health Lead
Every school should have a designated Senior Mental Health Lead who oversees the school's approach to wellbeing and mental health.
MHSTs support Mental Health Leads by offering:
- Regular consultation and advice
- Strategic planning support
- Guidance on developing a Whole School Approach
- Assistance with reviewing mental health provision
- Signposting to local services and resources
- Support in responding to emerging mental health needs
- Opportunities to network with other Mental Health Leads
- Access to local and national mental health updates
Our aim is to help Mental Health Leads feel confident in leading and embedding wellbeing across their school.
Function 3 - Giving advice to schools and supporting the wider workforce
Function 3 focuses on building the knowledge, skills, and confidence of school staff to support pupil wellbeing.
We offer:
Staff training
A range of workshops and training sessions covering topics such as:
- Anxiety and emotional wellbeing
- Low mood and depression awareness
- Behaviour and emotional regulation
- Managing exam stress
- Supporting attendance and emotionally based school avoidance
- Staff wellbeing
- Understanding self-harm and risk
- Neurodiversity-informed approaches
- Trauma-informed practice
Consultation and advice
School staff can access consultation from MHST practitioners to:
- Discuss concerns about individual pupils
- Explore strategies to support wellbeing in school
- Consider appropriate next steps and pathways
- Develop confidence in managing mental health concerns
Group and whole-school initiatives
We can support schools to deliver:
- Workshops for pupils
- Parent and carer group and information sessions
- Mental health awareness campaigns
- Wellbeing events and themed activities
- Targeted interventions for identified needs
For details of our current offer and upcoming sessions, please visit our Mental Health Leads Workshops page.
Policy and practice development
We work with schools to review and strengthen:
- Mental health and wellbeing policies
- Early identification processes
- Referral pathways
- Staff confidence and competency
- Pupil voice and participation
- Whole-school wellbeing provision
What does a Whole School Approach look like?
Schools with an effective Whole School Approach typically:
- Promote positive mental health for all pupils and staff
- Embed wellbeing throughout school culture
- Identify emerging concerns early
- Ensure staff know how to respond to mental health needs
- Involve pupils, families, and carers in decision making
- Have clear pathways for support and intervention
- Use data and feedback to continuously improve provision
How we can help your school
Whether you are beginning your Whole School Approach journey or looking to enhance existing provision, our team can support you through consultation, training, strategic planning, and practical wellbeing initiatives.
Together, we can create a school environment where children, young people, and staff feel supported, included, and able to achieve their full potential.
Groups
Targeted support programmes for children and young people with shared needs.
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