Guidance for schools: Getting help
Please also see guidance materials under Thriving, Getting Advice and signposting, Getting more help and Risk Support.
Mental Health and Behaviour in school (DfE 2018). https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/755135/Mental_health_and_behaviour_in_schools__.pdf
Non-statutory guidance published by the Department for Education which aims to support schools in recognising and responding to mental health issues facing pupils. A key aim of the document is to decrease the number of pupils with mental health difficulties being branded as ‘troublemakers’ and to enable schools to develop and implement initiatives to promote positive mental health. A large range of resources and case examples.
MIND ED https://www.minded.org.uk/
Information for schools about self-harm
Self- harming behaviour is of great concern to school staff both in terms of response and management and also support for the child or young person.
This session from MindEd provides a useful introduction to self harm. It starts with a knowledge check, followed by information used within the healthcare setting to gain a better understanding of self harm among young people.
https://www.minded.org.uk/LearningContent/LaunchForGuestAccess/447452
see also this guide for professionals from Young Minds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/media/wr5fwijg/no-harm-done-professionals-pack.pdf
and this guide specifically for school staff from the Royal College of Psychiatrists: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/nccmh/suicide-prevention/wave-1-resources/young-people-who-self-harm-a-guide-for-school-staff.pdf?sfvrsn=e6ebf7ca_2
Information for schools about eating disorders
As with self-harm, teachers, school nurses, pastoral or other members of staff may be the first to become aware that a young person may be developing an eating disorder.
The mentally healthy schools website https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/ has useful guidance:
https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/mental-health-needs/eating-disorders/what-schools-and-further-education-settings-can-do/
The Anna Freud National Centre https://www.annafreud.org/
‘Supporting mental health and wellbeing in secondary schools’ includes helpful advice on eating disorders among other topics https://www.safernel.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/anna-freud-booklet-2-website.pdf
Information for schools about bereavement
https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/for-schools/recognising-the-impact-of-bereavement-on-a-child-or-young-person
https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/a-whole-school-approach-to-supporting-loss-and-bereavement/
https://healthyschoolscp.org.uk/mental-health-and-emotional-well-being/bereavement/
Handsonscotland https://www.handsonscotland.co.uk/
This extremely helpful website provides an A-Z directory of information, help and practical advice about supporting the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
It was developed in Scotland so has some specific references which don’t detract from its overall usefulness. https://www.handsonscotland.co.uk/A-Z-of-topics/
Keep your head (Cambridgeshire & Peterborough) https://www.keep-your-head.com/
The website has a dedicated section for
Professionals: https://www.keep-your-head.com/prof
Children and young people https://www.keep-your-head.com/cyp
Adults https://www.keep-your-head.com/adults
Policy development - Schools will have different structures in place in terms of how to address concerns among pupils. These will include safeguarding concerns, friendship worries and problems, family issues, sexual health concerns, learning support and wide – ranging emotional needs.
Assessment and intervention pathways need to be clear, possibly by using a flow chart as part of a policy document which identifies key members of staff and their responsibilities.
The Charlie Waller Trust https://charliewaller.org/ provides a template which schools can use:
https://www.egfl.org.uk/sites/default/files/School_effectiveness/Health-improvement/training-resources/How%20to%20write%20a%20mental%20health%20policy.pdf
