Key MHWB Staff at Woodlands

  Miss Humble

The Senior Mental Health Lead's role is a strategic leadership role, with oversight of the whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.

The government have recognised the importance of the Senior Mental Health Lead role and as such committed funding to schools in England to train a SMHL, with the aim that all schools will have a SMHL by 2025. Miss Humble is our SMHL at Woodlands and successfully completed the advanced SMHL course with Leeds Carnegie in August 2022.

Miss Humble  works with our wider pastoral, SEND and safeguarding teams to ensure that where Social, Emotional or Mental Health needs are identified, we work in collaboration with families and external agencies to ensure the right provision is in place for our child, their families and our staff.

As with physical health needs, we have specially trained staff in school to support with mental health needs, offering mental health first aid where needed.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Miss Humble, Mrs Grant, Mrs Atkinson, Mrs Hall, Mrs O'Brien and Miss Russell are Youth Mental Health First Aiders, having completed comprehensive training with Mental Health First Aid England.

Adult Mental Health First Aiders

Mrs Sharpe and Mrs Grant are Adult Mental Health First Aiders, having completed comprehensive training with Mental Health First Aid England.

Having undertaken taken the Two Day MHFA course these staff have had additional training to:

• Understand the important factors affecting mental ill health
• Identify the signs and symptoms for a range of mental health conditions
• Use ALGEE to provide Mental Health First Aid to someone experiencing a mental health issue or crisis
• Listen non-judgementally and hold supportive conversations using the Mental Health First Aid action plan
• Signpost people to professional help, recognising that the role of a Mental Health First Aider does not replace the need for ongoing support.

It’s important to remember that MHFA England courses do not teach people to be therapists or counsellors and do not teach people how to diagnose mental health conditions or provide ongoing support. Instead, their role is to act as a point of contact and reassurance for a person who may be experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. 

Governance

Our Mental Health and Wellbeing lead governor is Mrs Emily Beach. As director of Huddersfield Horizon SCITT, Mrs Beech has a wealth of knowledge and experience in supporting trainee teachers, their colleagues and their students in all aspects of their roles, including the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing.

If you have any queries or concerns around the Mental Health and Wellbeing of your child or wider family member please do not hesitate to call in and see us in school at any time where we can offer support and advice.