The National Educational Leaders in Mental Health Certification

A programme for heads, senior leaders and local authorities on meeting mental health needs of their staff (and a bit on pupils)

Social, emotional and mental health difficulties in our staff and pupils are on the rise and getting more complex. Life as a teacher and education leader has changed enormously over the past few years.

From a leadership perspective, the needs of your staff have changed enormously and the way you lead has had to adapt too.​

At the same time, the mental health and wellbeing needs of your staff has become more of a priority and employers are being expected to provide far more pastoral support for staff than ever before.​

These things combined, mean that even for the most inclusive school, the provision, ethos and culture need to change to meet these needs.​

We are delighted to lead a national Programme to offer certified courses to recognise advanced leadership skills in schools, colleges, academy trusts, virtual schools and local authorities.​

The National Educational Leaders in Mental Health combines taught/facilitated sessions with self-studied units and homework activities to implement the learning in their workplace. For those who remember in the National Programme of Specialist Leaders in Behaviour and Attendance, this course is delivered in a similar way.​

The course is designed to help school, college or local authority staff reflect on their culture, values and ethos, undertaking an audit of their situation and action planning to address the needs of their staff (and in turn their pupils).​

Who is it aimed at?

The Programme is aimed at Assistant Heads and above, plus academy trust and local authority staff.  Middle leaders and aspiring leaders are welcome to join the course, however, be advised the course is aimed at strategic leadership.

What are the aims of the learning?

The aims of the course for participants are:

  • To understand yourself more
  • To understand other staff more
  • To audit your own provision
  • To understand factors affecting Mental Health
  • To develop Mental Health and Wellbeing friendly ethos and values
  • To develop Mental Health and Wellbeing policy and provision
  • To understand how to be or manage a Designated Mental Health Lead
  • To become a National Educational Leader in Mental Health

Regional options

The content covers all four countries in the UK, and is suitable for curricula based on the UK education system as the course is based on meeting the mental health needs of staff. The course is available in English, if you require the course in a different language please contact us for details.​

Adjustments

The course consists of core modules everyone is required to complete, but this is complemented by self-study and workplace activities that you select for your setting.  This means the content can be customised to meet the needs of local authority staff, alternative or specialist settings, in addition to mainstream education.

Online self-study route

15 pre-recorded 20-25 minute videos, follow-up activities and self-studied units. Complete the certification process at your own rate.

In-person route (regional courses, group bookings or delivered by our local partners)

Three days, follow-up homework and self-studied units. If you think your local area would participate in a group course, please contact us.​

Assessment

Participants complete a reflective portfolio to gain the accreditation, which can also be submitted to gain a level 4 Mental Health Aware Leadership qualification.

Course content

Facilitated sessions:

  • Leadership in mental health, policy & action planning
  • Values and beliefs
  • Bias and reactions to mental health
  • Reflecting on leadership approaches
  • Statutory expectations
  • Emotional Coping
  • Common Mental Health Difficulties
  • Managing the Mental Health Lead

In addition, participants will study two of the following self-study topics:

  • Support services for mental health
  • Supporting staff experiencing poor mental health
  • Disabilities and medical conditions
  • Common mental health difficulties
  • Factors affecting mental health
  • Factors affecting coping
  • Trauma and life events
  • Attachment
  • Mental wellbeing
  • Community partnerships
  • Staff feedback

You will need to be able to commit to approximately 3-4 hours a week for 3-6 months.

Download a pamphlet

Request a copy of the Welcome Workbook below to see some of the content of the course and the prereading.

What is the outcome?

Aside from auditing and checking your mental health provision for staff and pupils, participants submit a portfolio to gain the National Educational Leaders in Mental Health certificate and can gain a Level 4 qualification in Mental Health Aware Leadership. The course meets the requirements for the Designated Mental Health Lead if leaders are also undertaking that role.

Guide Price – Only £1100 + VAT​

Option to pay over two years available for schools in exceptional circumstances (cannot be used with other offers).

Train the Trainer – Initial training 3 days £1900 per trainer, Annual accreditation £800 (includes an update day), fee per participant £275 – Train just 3 people to cover your costs!

If you have any questions about what this course could mean for you, or you are interested in delivering the course for us, please contact us on +442381 120010 or info@rootofit.com.