Provide training for staff with responsibilities for mental health and wellbeing

On this page you can find information about:

• how to identify training needs
• sources of free training

Context

Building a whole-school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing is a major cultural shift for many schools and colleges. Research shows that school and college staff welcome their new responsibilities for promoting mental health in school but also that some feel unconfident about their role. Training and development play an important part in motivating staff to embrace a new culture.

Despite tight school budgets, 29% of primary school teachers and 34% of secondary teachers said their school provided training opportunities to spot the signs of pupil mental health problems [i]. Many organisations provide free training resources.

[i] Teacher Tapp survey commissioned by the Anna Freud Centre, 2020. Unpublished.

Identifying training needs

Training is most effective when it meets an identified need. An integrated whole-school policy on mental health and wellbeing could combine findings from staff and pupil surveys to identify needs, a clear strategy in the school or college improvement plan about how to meet those needs, and a training plan to ensure those plans are put into practice.

Training is not just for teachers. All school staff – from administrative staff to caretakers and catering staff to headteachers – are all part of a whole-school culture to promote mental health and wellbeing. The Anna Freud Centre has developed a free short animation and set of resources on the ‘CARE’ principle to encourage all staff to be Curious and Approachable; to Refer when necessary; and to show Empathy.

Holding or commissioning training

Set aside time on induction or INSET days for all staff (not just teachers) to use the CARE resources alongside school policies and procedures so that they can discuss their role in promoting mental health.

Many organisations and consultancies, including the Anna Freud Centre, offer training on mental health and wellbeing to schools and colleges.

When holding or commissioning training, it is useful to think about the following:

• Is the training you’re looking to offer a more general introductory training that could be appropriate for all staff, perhaps as part of an INSET day?
• Is the training more specialist, suitable for staff in a specific role?
• Who is best placed to deliver the training – for example can it be delivered by an internal member of staff or would it be better delivered by an external expert?
• What is the best format to deliver your training?
• Is the training provider an expert in their field? Can you see previous feedback examples from the training?

Resources