This book is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to promote and encourage mental health in their school, or evaluate their existing provision, in line with current government priorities. It covers not only the day-to-day practical steps you can take to meet the mental health needs of learners, but also a provides a whole bank of ideas for ensuring you adopt a whole-school approach to positive mental health. Pooky Knightsmith lays out tried and tested tools you can use to evaluate the overall mental health of a school, showing how to improve and support the mental health of staff, and how to ensure that the voice of every learner is heard and valued, including the most vulnerable - and that everyone involved with the school feels safe, healthy and happy. Pooky's simple 'litmus test' framework lays out six practical areas you can explore to implement change within your own school, with explanations, sheets to fill in, tips from loads of school staff, and case examples that break these ideas down into easily digestible chunks. This much-needed book is a jumping off point for meaningful change in all aspects of your school community that will promote, support and strengthen mental health at whole-school level.

What does supervision mean in a school setting? How can supervision benefit staff and student wellbeing? How can I best run supervision sessions? Supervision is an effective way to support staff in navigating the complex experiences of simultaneously teaching and safeguarding children, but much of the existing literature on supervision can't easily be applied to school settings. Bringing together theory and practice, this practical how-to guide includes chapters on why supervision is so important for staff and student wellbeing, what qualities make for an ideal supervisor, how to adapt supervision for in-person and online settings, as well as criteria for an optimum supervision environment and suggested material to include in supervision sessions.

This planner provides detailed guidance on what a Designated Mental Health Lead needs to do, when they need to do it, and how they can achieve the best results. It gives a clear focus and checklist for each week, including spaces to add your own to-do list, and encourages reflection on the outcomes and impact of your actions on pupils' attainment and wellbeing. It also encourages a focus on your own development and self-care, with space to record what you are currently reading or listening to and one thing you are grateful for that week. In addition to the termly and weekly plans, the book provides short briefs on key aspects of the role, including how to work effectively with teachers, the HR team, the DSL, governors, the pastoral team, Mental Health Support Teams and parents. It is an invaluable resource for all DMHLs tackling the 39 academic weeks.

This is an accessible guide for schools explaining how to implement effective techniques to improve staff mental health. Drawing on case studies from years of experience supporting staff mental health, Amy Sayer introduces inexpensive, practical and realistic strategies that schools can implement to ensure the mental wellbeing of teaching staff. This book provides steps to ensure that self-care and family time do not slip under the radar in the face of increasing pressure and limited resources. From providing adequate staff room facilities to ensuring that teachers can set clear boundaries around weekends and break times, these ideas create and foster a culture of openness around mental health and help teachers to re-discover their love of teaching.

The teenage years are associated with high levels of uncertainty and anxiety, compounded by academic and social demands, and physical and emotional changes. They can be especially tough for teenagers who learn differently. This workbook contains a host of practical activities for teachers and other adults supporting young people with learning differences, whether at home or in the classroom. Drawing on their years of first hand experience, and up to the minute research, the authors outline a trans-diagnostic framework for identifying what might be behind a student's behaviour. They show how the first crucial step all practitioners must take is to work out what could be causing a teen's feelings of anxiety or uncertainty, and how this can be addressed. The activities in this workbook are organised into three sections, each addressing one of the three key areas where anxiety or uncertainty can be found: the structural, sensory and social domains. The tried-and-tested worksheets and activities present a much-needed alternative to a diagnosis-led approach. They can be used with any teenager, with or without a diagnosis, in classroom settings, intervention groups, or one to one work. The Anxiety Workbook will help you to really understand and address the needs of the SEN students you support, thereby improving their well-being, confidence and self-esteem and empowering them to get the most out of their education.

There are many reasons why children and young people face barriers to attendance at school, ranging from anxiety, neurodivergence, mental health difficulties, through to bullying. Suzy Rowland's "I Can't Go To School!" a book for children with an accompanying guide for adults, contains a variety of accessible exercises and activities, alongside a range of friendly and reassuring illustrations, to spark conversation between children and the adults around them. Although some pupils may wish to read the book by themselves; ideally, they will be working through it with a parent carer or supported by a member of the school's pastoral team. I Can't Go To School and it's associated Companion Parent & Teacher Guide, skilfully introduces topics that children of a variety of ages might find difficult to talk about, relating to their school experiences, issues with friends or their inner world. Removing your child from full-time education isn't an option for some parents. For others, it's the only option. This book acknowledges different situations and helps parents and schools to work through a number of options on this sensitive issue. Unfortunately, some schools are inflexible about addressing the barriers to regular attendance, thankfully, others are more forward-looking. Whichever scenario you find yourself in, you are sure to find the content in the Companion Guides & The Children's Workbook, insightful and positive.

Knowing when children and young people are struggling, and identifying the best ways of supporting them is vital. This is all the more important when working with children with varying learning difficulties who may not always be able to communicate their feelings. By demystifying terms such as mental health, wellbeing, learning difficulties and the sensitivities surrounding labels, this practical and evidence-based guide helps you achieve an in-depth understanding of the children and young people you work with. It provides you with skills and knowledge for supporting their mental health and wellbeing in educational settings - from nursery to secondary school in both mainstream and specialist environments with talking and non-verbal communication approaches to accommodate varying needs. Most importantly its holistic approach explores the interaction between the child's learning difficulties and the psychological, social and environmental factors which influence how they manage their ups and downs in life. This lets you think beyond the child and the classroom.

This essential textbook equips you with a strong understanding of theories, policies and practices and how they impact on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, guiding you through your SEND course or modules. It provides you with the foundations and tools necessary to think critically about the issues and developments concerning SEND, inclusion, and professional practice. The book includes: - Material surrounding mental health in childhood and adolescence - Chapters on global perspectives of SEND, and assistive technologies - Practical case studies, reflection questions and activities - Spotlights on key theories and research - Up-to-date information on policies impacting SEND

Mind Mechanics is a comprehensive resource to support schools in teaching pupils about mental health. Drawing on a wide range of therapeutic interventions, including CBT, Behavioural Activation and Compassion-Focussed Therapy, it provides activities and lesson plans to empower children with the skills they need to manage their mental health throughout life. The book contains lesson plans, games and activities, assessment tools and information on risk factors and specific issues that might impact children. It also features photocopiable and downloadable worksheets, making the provision of mental health teaching simple. Mind Mechanics can be used flexibly as a full programme as part of the school's Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship curriculum, as a targeted intervention for a group or individual, or as a resource bank of individual activities to use as and when needed.

Mind Mechanics is a comprehensive resource to support schools in teaching pupils about mental health. Drawing on a wide range of therapeutic interventions, including CBT, Behavioural Activation and Compassion-Focussed Therapy, it provides activities and lesson plans to empower teens with the skills they need to manage their mental health throughout life. The book contains lesson plans, games and activities, assessment tools and information on risk factors and specific issues that might impact teens. It also features photocopiable and downloadable worksheets, making the provision of mental health teaching simple. Mind Mechanics can be used flexibly as a full programme as part of the school's Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship curriculum, as a targeted intervention for a group or individual, or as a resource bank of individual activities to use as and when needed.