COURSE RESOURCES
Developing the Role of the Senior Mental Health Lead
Cohort 11 - Starts April 2024
the launch webinar
When you get started it’s natural to have lots of questions. What do I have to do? How long will it take me? Where do I need to be and when? We’ll answer all these questions – and more – in our launch webinar.
You’ll get automatically enrolled into the launch webinar when you join the programme. If you don’t have the invite for any reason – please contact us.
30th April 2024, 4pm
your coaching circle
What is a coaching circle? It’s a group of peers from similar settings going through the programme at the same time as you.
You will be led by a professional coach with a wealth of mental health experience. It’s an opportunity to review progress, overcome challenges and share successes.
You’ll have 6 coaching circles during your programme (coaching circle 3 will be an optional drop-in session with your coach) each lasting about 90 minutes. You can check the dates and times by downloading the schedule on the left. If you don’t know your circle yet, please contact us.
THE CORE WORKBOOK
Your core workbook is an essential document that you will refer to throughout the programme. Please ensure you download and save it. You will then be referring back to it and editing it throughout the programme.
In here you will find the audit and action plan which your coach will explain. Also, information about how to conduct your Small Intervention Project (nothing scary-just an opportunity to investigate an area of interest to you). Your coach will explain everything to you and give you helpful reminders along the way.
PROGRAMME EXPECTATIONS
It’s nice to know what’s expected. This is what you’ll have to do to pass the course. However, we’ve signposted a wide range fo additional learning you can do so we strongly encourage you to explore what’s available to you!
Attend at Least 4 Coaching Circles
Complete an Audit, Action Plan and Draft Provision Map
Complete All Mandatory Course Modules
Create a 5-7 Minute Project Presentation
SUPPORT AND DEVELOP YOUR STAFF
Effective mental health provision requires a whole-school or college approach. To support you to support your colleagues we have developed a Staff Development Toolkit. Download the whole toolkit or review what’s available below.
Presentations
Explore a series of bite-sized presentations you can share with colleagues on INSET days and in team meetings.
Each presentation also comes with a full set of facilitator notes.
You can also use a staff skills survey to identify where there are knowledge gaps among colleagues.
Explainers
These concise summaries will give colleagues a complete understanding of a range of mental health conditions:
Helpful Resources
In addition we’ve also created a range of helpful resources, including:
- A sample mental health policy that you can edit and guidance on how to write your own
- A sample staff wellbeing survey
- A staff skills survey you can share with staff to determine development priorities
- A range of student and staff wellbeing measures you can use
before circle one
Before circle one please download and save the Core Workbook. It is helpful if you can make a start on your audit but there will be more opportunities to work on this after the first circle too. Previous participants have said it took them around 30-45 minutes. It can be found on page 5 of the Core Workbook. Check you know how to access your circle and that you have contacted your coach to introduce yourself. They are looking forward to hearing from you!
before circle two
Before circle two please complete the following on-demand courses.
Primary and Special Schools
Secondary Schools, Alternative provision and Further Education
And complete the following self-study tasks (click the green icons)
- Review and edit your audit and action plan (it’s in your core workbook you downloaded and saved before circle 1). Please send this to your coach when complete. You don’t have to fill in every box of the action plan.
- After you have completed the Provision Mapping course, produce a draft map of the local mental health provision in your area for adults and children. Your coach will guide you. You can find some example provision maps here. Send this to your coach once completed.
- Gather early ideas for your Small Intervention Project (your audit might help you to pinpoint a useful area). There is a walkthrough here.
- Writing Mental Health Policies – this is just an extra resource you may find useful and something to think about (it is not an expectation though to be completed)
before circle three
This circle is an optional drop in session so that you can ask your coach any questions you may have, share initial ideas of your Small Intervention Project or do what you need for you to ensure your success for the rest of the programme. Here are some ideas on how you could use the 90-minutes to best support you.
before circle four
Before circle four please complete the following on-demand courses.
And complete the following self-study tasks (click on green icon)
- Watch up to 7’26 of the Small Intervention Project screen recording found here. This walks you through your first steps on the project. The total recording is 18’40 and takes you through the whole task. Please come to the circle with ideas to discuss with the group.
- Please download the training plan template ready for your next session. You will be using it in your group to design your own training session based on the on demand learning.
before circle five
Before circle five please complete the following on-demand courses.
And complete the following self-study tasks (click on green icon)
before circle six
Before circle six please complete the following on-demand courses. Please also ensure all other mandatory on-demand courses are completed and you know how to send your coach your completed Small Intervention Project (you will receive instructions on how to do this nearer the time).
And complete the following self-study tasks (click on green icon)
frequently asked questions
Below are some of our frequently asked questions. If you can’t find an answer here, then please check out our full list of FAQ’s at our Support Centre