Auditing your school and implementing change
A whole-school approach to mental health is complex, but there are tools available to help.
To successfully implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing, schools and colleges need to assess and understand the current situation, and action plan for change.
Because a whole-school approach is so wide-ranging, this process can be very complex. A successful whole-school approach to mental health involves pupils, parents, staff, governors or parent councils, and the wider community. Doing this work is a major transformational task for schools and further education settings.
In order to create this change in schools and colleges, staff may want to follow a series of steps or framework to help them methodically reach their goals.
5 Steps to Mental Health and Wellbeing framework
One example of a tool that schools in England can use to develop their whole-school approach is the 5 Steps to Mental Health and Wellbeing framework, developed by the Anna Freud Centre.
It is a simple, free and interactive tool to help schools and college develop a whole setting approach on their own terms.
Each of the 5 steps include two to six practical actions that education professionals can take to make sure that promoting mental health and wellbeing is integrated across the whole school or college curriculum. There are also suggested resources for schools or colleges to use as they work through the steps.
1. Leading change
Information on developing a mental health and wellbeing policy and preparing the school community for change.
2. Working together
Ways to bring the whole school community together, including establishing a mental health action group and engaging with parents and carers.
3. Understanding need
Learn how to assess and meet the mental health needs of pupils and students through using measurement tools and assessing interventions.
4. Promoting wellbeing
Information on integrating mental health and wellbeing across the whole school or college curriculum.
5. Supporting staff
Measuring and improving the wellbeing of staff, with suggestions for staff training and mental health resources for staff members.