Pupils with SEND: supporting mental health

Have a robust mental health policy

There's no statutory requirement to have a mental health policy, but having one will help you and your staff provide consistent support to pupils. Your policy could lay out:

• Your whole-school approach to promoting mental wellbeing (see more about this below) 
• Warning signs to look out for and what staff should do if they're concerned about a pupil
• Where pupils can go for support
• The responsibilities of staff members such as the inclusion lead or the safeguarding team
• How staff should manage disclosures 
• Escalation processes
• The role of parents or carers

 See examples of mental health policies from: 

• Gordon Primary School in Greenwich
• Cherbourg Primary in Hampshire
• Beths Grammar School in Bexley

Create an inclusive school culture

Tackle social isolation

Switch up the groups during in-class group