Mental health training for school staff
School staff are ideally placed to identify changes in children/young people, as well as the early signs of mental health issues. We deliver training sessions for school staff, helping to enhance their ability to identify and support children and young people facing mental health difficulties.
Why this is needed
For children with challenging home lives often school provides the only structure and security they have. School staff play a vital role in giving these vulnerable children the care and support they need.
Sadly, research shows over 50% of teachers feel they have not received sufficient training to support children experiencing mental health difficulties (Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, 2017).
How we help
Each year we provide mental health training for hundreds of staff in primary and secondary schools. This training helps staff by:
- Enhancing their understanding of common mental health issues
- Providing practical strategies to support vulnerable pupils
- Explaining how and when they should refer children to appropriate support services
“The therapists have been essential in providing training on-site to our staff members who deliver pastoral care to pupils throughout the week. This ensures that the strategies and approaches of the therapists extend throughout the school, impacting as many pupils as possible in a consistent and evidence-based manner.”
Claire Robinson-Jones, Headteacher, Marlborough Primary School, Harrow
Examples of staff training we offer include:
- Identifying and supporting young people’s mental health
- Trauma informed practice
- Attachment
- Building safe and trusting relationships
- Mentally healthy communication
- Supporting the mental health of children/young people with Special Educational Needs
In addition to this, we support schools in delivering parent workshops tailored to the needs of their school community, topics include:
- Looking after our mental health as a parent/carer
- Managing challenging behaviour
- Supporting your child with exam stress
Please see our School Training Programme Brochure for a full range of topics.
If your school is interested in this service please visit our dedicated site: Connect-Ed website or contact us to discuss how we can help.