Senior Mental Health Lead Training: Extension of Funding
State-funded schools and colleges meeting the eligibility criteria can now access a grant for senior mental health lead training, with training sessions set to commence before July 31, 2024.
Every state school and college is entitled to claim a grant of £1,200 for their designated mental health lead to participate in Department for Education (DfE) endorsed well-being training programs.
This training initiative aims to empower your mental health lead in fostering a comprehensive approach to promoting and nurturing the mental health and well-being of students, learners, and staff within your institution.
If your previously trained lead has left your facility, you are also eligible to apply for a second grant.
Senior Mental Health Lead Training
The Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a £1,200 grant for qualifying state-funded schools and colleges in England. This grant aims to support the training of a senior mental health lead, enabling them to spearhead the development and implementation of a comprehensive approach to mental health and wellbeing throughout the institution. While this training is voluntary, it aligns with the government's commitment to provide such training to all eligible educational establishments by 2025.
Eligible establishments can apply for the senior mental health lead training grant with the training slated to commence before July 31, 2024. In cases where previously trained leads have left before integrating the mental health and wellbeing approach, eligible schools and colleges can also claim second grants.
The grants cover or contribute towards the expenses associated with attending a quality-assured course, and can also be utilised to hire substitute staff during the lead's training period.
To complete the application process and secure the grant by March 31, 2024, two forms must be filled out:
- Form 1: Initial application form to confirm eligibility and reserve the grant; and
- Form 2: Second stage of the application, requiring evidence of booking a DfE quality assured training course to facilitate the grant disbursement.
What Does the Training Cover?
The objectives of senior mental health lead training, outlined in the provided document (PDF, 172 KB, 9 pages), are designed to align with the core principles of enhancing emotional health and well-being among children and young individuals.
Research findings suggest that adopting a cohesive and evidence-based strategy towards mental health and wellbeing significantly contributes to enhancing emotional health and wellbeing among children and youth, thereby fostering a conducive environment for learning. Educational institutions that have embraced such approaches often report notable improvements in attendance rates, attention spans, behavioural well-being patterns, and academic achievements.
To evaluate your institution's current approach to mental health and wellbeing, consider utilizing the following resources:
- The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) preparing for recovery: self-review and guidance tool;
- A framework developed by Oldham Council: the comprehensive approach to emotional health and mental wellbeing for schools and colleges;
- Leading Change initiative, devised by the Anna Freud Centre; and
- The college mental health self-assessment tool is provided by the Charlie Waller Trust.
Applying For a Grant
You can apply for a senior mental health lead training grant by following these steps.
- Eligible settings should complete the first stage of the application process to reserve a grant. In this form, your eligibility will be checked and you will be asked to make a series of declarations as described in the conditions of the grant.
- You will receive confirmation that we have successfully received your application. This will tell you to book a DfE quality assured training course to start by 31 July 2024. Keep the evidence of your booking, as you will need this to claim your grant.
- You must submit the second stage of your application to claim your grant, providing acceptable evidence of booking a DfE quality-assured course. This completes your application, enabling us to process your claim for a grant.
The evidence you submit can be a scanned copy, screenshot or photograph of your confirmation email or invoice from your training provider. Your evidence must include the:
- Title of the training course;
- Start date; and
- Name of the training provider.
If you are applying for a second grant, ensure you tick the declaration to confirm your previous senior mental health lead has left your setting. Your grant will not be paid if you do not confirm this.
You must submit forms 1 and 2 by 31 March 2024. If you do not submit by the deadline provided, we may release your place to other applicants to ensure grants do not go unclaimed.
If your setting is due to change status (for example, by converting to an academy), you may not be able to access the online forms. If this is the case, contact us at MentalHealth.LeadTraining@education.gov.uk.
You can also contact us if you believe you are eligible to apply for a grant but are experiencing issues with the application form.