Leading with hope: material poverty and mental wellbeing : Mentally Healthy Schools

About this resource

This guide explores how economic deprivation and material poverty can affect the mental health of learners and staff. It offers practical strategies to help leaders respond with purpose and positivity.

It draws on research and practice from FE colleges but can also be adapted for independent training providers, adult education, offender learning and work-based learning.

It considers ways to build of a sense belonging and connection, while also addressing some of the barriers created by poverty.

By using this resource, leaders can strengthen their approach to supporting wellbeing within their organisation and create a community where hope and aspiration can flourish.

Using this resource

This resource is designed for: 

leaders and managers in sixth form, FE and skills settings

senior mental health leads working across FE provision

wider FE and skills organisation.

Learning outcomes

This resource addresses the following learning outcomes:

Use their knowledge to effectively communicate a positive values-based approach, and to promote openness and understanding to normalise mental health and its fluctuations throughout life.

Connect different policies and processes (equality & diversity, bullying & harassment, behaviour and safeguarding) to ensure they are working together to support wellbeing.