Tools Repository

Reducing barriers to learning.

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Here is a bank of all of the tools, resources and links you can find throughout the 'Assess' section of the website. If you can't see what you're looking for but you know which stage of education you're looking for support with, don't forget to check that section on the here

‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’

This is the theme this year. Please visit https://wfmh.global/2021-world-mental-health-global-awareness-campaign-world-mental-health-day-theme/ ...Read more

#AntiBullyingWeek

It's not too late to register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/anti-bullying-week-2021-one-kind-word-celebration-event-tickets-183617423657 We will be joined by some amazing speakers to highlight the importance of Anti-Bullying Week & the need to spread the One Ki...Read more

#AntiBullyingWeek2021

https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/anti-bullying-week-2021-toolkit?utm_source=afc&utm_medium=twit...Read more

#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

Celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week 2022 and this year's theme of 'growing together' with Anna Freud NCCF free toolkits of resources for primary and secondary schools. ...Read more

#ChildrensMentalhealthweek#7-13thFebruary2022

Resources for teachers.. ...Read more

#KindnessMatters

NB: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ Did you know kindness can help reduce stress and improve our emotional wellbeing? Research shows that being kind has clear benefits for our mental health. Find out more about what these benefits are from the kindness matters guide ...Read more

#Mental Health Awareness Week

#MentalHealthAwareness week 2022

Have you downloaded all your resources? https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week ...Read more

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

#StressAwarenessMonth

It's #StressAwarenessMonth and @StressMgtSoc are encouraging everyone to pick one action for their physical, mental and emotional ...Read more

#WMHD2022

It's just 4 days until World Mental Health Day. Find out about how you can get involved and learn more about the day here: https://bit.ly/3fKsQoK ...Read more

#WorldKindnessDay

World Kindness Day is coming up on November 13th. Follow the link for some help...Read more

5 Steps Seminars

NB: Anna Freud The Anna Freud Centre has launched its 5 Steps to Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework, a simple, free and interactive tool to help schools develop a whole se...Read more

6 days to go.. #WMHD

Don't forget to purchase you green badge in support of #worldmentalhealthday The green ribbon is the symbol of mental health awareness. ...Read more

A range of great Derby websites

Continue to provide support for the important work underway in schools to support staff, pupils and families in schools. Each of them has live resources and a rolling programme of supportive activity and training for schools. Visit them to see what’s available: ...Read more

Active April resources

Life is happier when we get outside, move more & stay active Join in with @Action for happiness. ...Read more

Adolescent Well-Being Scale

This a self-rating scale for depression in young people aged 11-16 years. Available here.It involves 18 questions...Read more

Advice for loneliness

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek#IveBeenThere#Lonliness Here is some practical advice and tips on how to help yourself or others if you or they are feeling lonely. 1. Keep in touch with those around you Talk to friends and family. Sometimes a fr...Read more

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek#IveBeenThere#Lonliness

Here is some practical advice and tips on how to help yourself or others if you or they are feeling lonely.

1. Keep in touch with those around you

Talk to friends and family. Sometimes a friendly chat can make a big difference, whether someone is around the corner or further away.

Whether you choose to meet up in person, or chat on the phone, via video calls or on social media, all contact can help remind you that you are not alone.

Make sure to check in regularly – most of us love hearing from people we have lost contact with. Creating a routine of checking in with others and being more sociable can be good, as it can make it easier to reach out at the time you feel lonely.

Messaging old friends or colleagues, or setting up a group chat on a messaging app like WhatsApp or Messenger may help them and you feel more connected.

2. Join a group

Find a group with a shared interest. Being part of an offline or online group or club is a great way to make connections and meet people. Think about activities that you would like to try out and look for groups centred around these.

The people around you may also be able to introduce you to a group they belong to. This could be anything, from gaming and singing to cooking or sport.

Also remember to be welcoming to newcomers and seek to involve others in the conversation, especially those who may be lacking confidence.

3. Do things you enjoy

Filling your time doing more things you like can stop you from focusing on feelings of loneliness and is good for your wellbeing.

Spending time outdoors in green space, doing exercise and listening to podcasts and radio shows are just some of the ways to boost your mood and occupy your mind.

4. Share your feelings – but do not compare

Being able to talk about how you feel with others can help with loneliness, and hearing a familiar voice or seeing a friendly face makes us feel less isolated.

However, try not to compare yourself with others. Remember that many people may only share the good things happening to them on social media, so comparing can make you feel lonelier.

Plus, we can never be sure of what someone else is going through.

5. Help someone else feel connected

Reach out to others – think about people you know who might be feeling lonely and make an effort to connect with them.

Remember that feeling lonely for a long time can make it harder for people to make new connections. It may be difficult for people experiencing loneliness to respond to your friendly contact at first, so be patient and kind.

Try to keep in touch with those around you too. If you pass neighbours or acquaintances on the street, take the time to smile, wave and chat. You could offer to swap phone numbers or create a local group chat to stay connected.

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/lifes-challenges/loneliness/

Anna Freud – Resources

Anna Freud, hosted through the MentallyHealthySchools.org.uk platform have a fantastic and expanding library of dedicated resources. From videos, to assembly plans, information and guidance, online activities and support with school policies and training, there is a huge amount to be found. ...Read more

Anna Freud NCCF @AFNCCF

In 2023 Anna Freud are running free training for school staff on delivering and evaluating effective mental health & wellbeing interventions in schools! Book your place now: https://crowd.in/RZ2Zp7...Read more

Anna Freud NCCF Library

The Anna Freud centre have a new online research library which houses a collection of evidence based material on children and young people’s mental health written and co-written by the Centre staff. Explore: https://cr...Read more

Anti-Bullying Week

This takes place 14-18 November this year. The theme is "Reach Out" The week will kick off with Odd Socks day on Monday 14th. Click on the following link for resources: ...Read more

Anti-Bullying Week

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week ...Read more

Autism acceptance week

If you're school is supporting ...Read more

Back to School

NB: Internet Matters As children get ready to start back at school, explore Internet Matters #backtoschool guidance to support them safely whether they're learning in person or online ...Read more

Back to School 2021 toolkit

Follow the link for resources to help in dealing with mental health concerns. https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/back-to-school-2021-toolkit/ ...Read more

Back to School Resources

NB: www.mentallywellschools.co.uk Free resources to improve mental health in schools. Browse the growing library of free created and curated mental health resources to benefit the mental health and wellbeing of your students and your staff. ...Read more

Black History Month

Black History Month activities for kids to use in the classroom this month or ways to discuss Black history throughout the school year, options for your classroom's, plus ways to include this year’s theme. ...Read more

Black History Month resources

A set of resources for schools for Black History Month, focusing on mental health themes. ...Read more

Boundaries, Rest and Letting go

NB: EducationSupport We’re bringing together a panel of experienced #teachers, #HR leads and ...Read more

Boxall Profiles

The Boxall Profile is an observational tool that focuses on identifying children’s developmental needs and the levels of skills they possess to access learning. It supports staff in developing greater observational skills and deepens understanding of children’s difficulties and can support t...Read more

British Science Week starts tomorrow

British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths that will place between 11-20 March 2022! Run by @BritSciAssoc ...Read more

Burnout: recognising the signs and protecting yourself

NB: www.educationsupport.org.uk The term burnout was originally coined in the 1970s to describe the consequences of ‘severe stress and high ideals’ among the helping professions. These are fields where many feel a high level of moral purpose, a dedication to making a diffe...Read more

Butler Self-Image Profile

The Self Image Profiles (SIP) are brief self report measures that tap the individual’s theory of self. There are 2 forms; the SIP-C for children aged 7 to 11 years and the SIP-A for adolescents aged 12 to 16 years. The SIP provides a visual display of self-image, enabling the child / young p...Read more

Can we make prevention in mental health really work?

www.annafreud.org The Transformation Seminars are a series of free online events where we contemplate the future of children and young people’s mental health. Join us as we ask some of the most eminent names in mental health: what wou...Read more

Childhood Trauma, the Brain and the Social World

NB: https://uktraumacouncil.org/ ...Read more

Childline’s Calm Zone

There are lots of ways to feel calmer. The trick is finding out what works for each individual. Childline have free resources of ideas, games, tools and exercises designed to help children and young people stay calm as much as possible. To find out more click here: ...Read more

Children’s Grounding & Soothing Strategies Booklet

Bridge the Gap are excited to share their NEW digital booklet! 81 pages packed with strategies to help children mange big/difficult emotions. Colour images & child friendly print gives children lots of ideas on how to ground & soothe. Also helps to support there valuable work. ...Read more

Children’s Mental Health Week

Children's Mental Health Week is starting tomorrow. 7-13 February 2022. This year's theme is Growing Together. Grab your resources here: www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk From virtual assemblies to growth stories... ...Read more

Children’s Mental Health Week

This year’s #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek (6-12 February 2023) theme is ‘Let’s Connect’. @Place2Be’s free school resources will help pupils and teache...Read more

Children’s Mental Health Week, including Wear your Scarf to School Day

Are you ready to Support children’s mental health week, 7-13th Feb? Access your resources for Children's Mental Health Week and Wear your Scarf to School Day ht...Read more

Children’s Mental Health Week: Meaningful relationships vital in helping young people thrive

NB: www.annafreud.org Today marks the start of Children’s Mental Health Week, and this year’s theme is ‘Let’s Connect’. Activities will focus on the healthy, meaningful and rewarding connections in children’s lives which enable them to thrive. ...Read more

Compassion and Wellbeing in Education Day

An exciting opportunity with UK and Worldwide leads. Click to book: https://www.derby.ac.uk/events/latest-events/compassion-and-wellbeing-in-education/ ...Read more

Counting down to Children’s Mental Health week….

#Growingtogether Have you downloaded your free resource's??? https://mentallywellschools.co.uk/free-resources/ ...Read more

Derby Inclusion Conference

Get your place booked... ...Read more

Derby Inclusion Conference… 5 weeks to go

Get your place booked... Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Inclusion Leaders, Behaviour leads, Senior Mental Health Leads, SENCos, Teachers, Governors. ...Read more

Derby OA Inclusion Conference & Showcase

Schools are invited to attend the following conferences. Places are funded through the OA Inclusion Programme so they’re free to attend and schools are welcome to bring along several members of staff including Head Teachers, Senior Leaders, Behaviour Leads, SENCOs, Pastoral Leads, Governors, T...Read more

Don’t forget to claim your free Children’s Mental Health Week pack

www.mentallywellschools.co.uk https://mentallywellschools.co.uk/childrens-mental-health-week-2023/ ...Read more

DSMHL Network dates

Empathy Week 27-02-23 to 02-03-23

Series of FREE webinars perfect for assemblies or lessons that bring empathy into your classroom this Empathy Week. https://www.empathy-week.com/registeredschoolaccesstoempathyweek2023event...Read more

Every Mind Matters

Follow the link for the NHS top tips to support children and young people. #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek#2022 https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/supporting-others/childrens-mental-healt...Read more

External Agency Support

Click below to check out our repository of useful links, contacts, and organisations that support different elements of Children's and Young People's Emotional and Mental Healt...Read more

Five ways to increase your happiness in 2022

NB: https://www.artofbrilliance.co.uk/ Top tips from the young teachers from Danielle aged 4 ...Read more

Five ways to increase your happiness in 2022!

NB: https://www.artofbrilliance.co.uk/happi...Read more

Forest Schools

NB: www.forestschoolassociation.org Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. A program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-es...Read more

Free online tools & resources #childrensmentalhealthweek

Yes Futures empowers young people to develop confidence and resilience through personal development programmes in primary and secondary schools. https://www.yesfutures.org/resources-for-teachers ...Read more

Free Resources

NB: Bridge the Gap Bridge the Gap have got immense information in providing resources to help you support pupil wellbeing. From helping you to understand their emotions and feelings, to giving you the knowledge and tools to support them. They have created a wealth of resources that are...Read more

From Mental Health to Mental Wealth

www.artofbrilliance.co.uk At the art of brilliance their NEW Wellbeing Award can transform your team’s mental health! They want people to feel confident, resilient, creative, motivated, empathetic, agile, & who have real purpose in their lives. This programme equips them! Full d...Read more

Healthy Coping Strategies for Young People: Free Seminar

NB: @AnnaFreudNCCF Developing healthy coping strategies to deal with intense and difficult emotions is an important skill for young people. Learn more about them at Anna Freud next Schools in Mind seminar on 26 January: ...Read more

Helping your pupils with the latest news

Some children may be upset by what's going on in the news at the moment. This guide from @BBCNewsround is full of advice for children on what to do if they are feeling sad about what they've seen, heard, or read in the news ...Read more

Home Education Support

Off School website SDSA have produced a new website for schools to support helping their families to educate at home. Please visit: ...Read more

How can teachers get the most out of relationships with the parents and carers of their students.

NB: www.educationsupport.org.uk Register for our free webinar for practical tips from a fantastic panel of experts: ...Read more

Inspirational book resources

NB: Dr Andy Cope@beingbrilliant www.artofbrilliance.co.uk Reading helps your brain stretch, as you create pictures in your mind. These pictures are unique, personal and can be an inspiration for your job, school and everything else. ...Read more

International Women’s Day

Click on the link for classroom resources: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/School-Resources ...Read more

Links to the latest updates from the UK Government and NHS

Public Health have issued guidance on Mental Health specific to the COVID-19 outbreak, which includes guidance on keeping in touch, use of social media and additional advice for at-risk groups. Please view the full document here: ...Read more

Looking after your Mental Health

NB: www.mentalhealth.org.uk Mental Health.org have lots of how-to... guides which include lots of evidence-based information on different ways that you can help to look after your mental health. They're all free to read online and download, or you can buy printed c...Read more

Mental Health & Wellbeing in 5 simple steps

The Anna Freud Centre launched its free 5 Steps to Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework, which is an evidence-based tool which supports you to decide ...Read more

Mental Health & Wellbeing resources

A whole host of great resources to support you individually and your colleagues on Education support's new revamped website. https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/resources/ ...Read more

Mental Health and Well Being

Below is a quick link signposting to all the NHS recommended Mental Health and Well Being organisations that are used in Derbyshire. https://derbyandderbyshireemotionalhealthandw...Read more

Mental Health Awareness Week

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek starts on 15 May. This years theme is Anxiety. ...Read more

Mental Health Awareness Week – toolkit of resources

NB: Mentally healthy schools / Anna Freud To help schools celebrate the week, the website has some resources about nature and mental health. It’s important to keep the focus on mental health and wellbeing throughout the school year, beyond Mental Health Awareness W...Read more

Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 toolkit

Don't forget to download your resources to help you this week. https://mentallyhe...Read more

Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 toolkit of resources

NB: www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk https://mentallyhealthyschools.org...Read more

Mental Health Awareness Week Toolkit

Mental Health Foundation Impact Report 2020 – 2021

NB: mentalhealth.org.uk The last year will be forever remembered for the global pandemic – a seismic event in all of our lives with impact in every area of society, including here at the Mental Health Foundation. ...Read more

Mental Health in an Unequal World

3 days to go..... Follow the link for a free downloadable document with educational content, with the help of collaborators from all over the world. www.wmhd2021.com/index.php ...Read more

Mental Health Masterclasses

https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/schoolmh We are launching our Masterclasses, a series of online webinars covering a variety of topics, from Embedding Mental Health in the Curriculum to Emotional Intelligence. ...Read more

Mental Health Masterclasses

NB: leedsbeckett.ac.uk Please note there is a cost for the masterclasse...Read more

Mental Health Podcasts

NB: https://linktr.ee/mentalhealthfoundation Check out the 'Let's Talk: Mental Health' podcast brought to you by @mentalhealth. They have got together with different people & experts to chat about mental health. Available whe...Read more

Mental Health Resources

Mental Health Awareness Week resources. Check out this selection of @beingbrilliant books. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek#Lonliness NB: Paid for resources ...Read more

Mental health resources for children, students, parents, carers and school/college staff

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk ...Read more

Mental Health Tips 2023

Happy New Year from Emotionally Healthy Schools. 🎆 http://MentalHealth.org.uk share some tips to help you protect your mental health in 2023: ...Read more

Mental Health Training

https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-and-wellbeing.aspx This is primarily fo...Read more

MHFA England – 2022 Round-up:

Mental Health First Aid England would like to share their top five most downloaded resources to help benefit you and your workplaces wellbeing throughout 2023. https://t.co/WHFWMxzLAe ...Read more

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

13th - 19th March 2023 ...Read more

PASS survey

Pupil Attitudes to Self and School (PASS) is an all-age attitudinal survey that provides a measurement of a pupil’s attitudes towards themselves as learners and their attitudes towards school, suitable for pupils aged 4 to 18+. Available ...Read more

PASS Survey at CODA

Mr. R Meehan, Assistant Head at the City of Derby Academy (CODA), talked to the Emotionally Health Schools team about the implementation, benefits and practicalities of using the PASS survey at the School for the first time. ...Read more

CODA has over the last academic year implemented the PASS survey as a part of a larger suite of GL assessments to help "measure aspects of life at school that weren't otherwise measured". Targeted specifically at years 7 - 10 to avoid disruption to year 11 exams, students were given up to 20 minutes to fill in the survey one form-group at a time after being briefed by their teacher about the survey's purpose. Mr Meehan indicated that the cost of the survey had been covered by the Pupil Premium funding received by the School.

The results of the survey are broken down into multiple levels across a number of different demographics such as school year, gender and nationality and are then graded through a traffic light system. Once completed, the results were then shared with all staff at CODA, not just teaching staff. Mr Meehan emphasized that he felt it was important for all staff to see the schools position to really embed a whole school approach and awareness to its pupil's mental and emotional health.

The results of the survey allowed CODA to see both the areas of strength and the areas of improvement across the entire picture of the school, with most of the results coming out as Green highlighting the good work undertaken by the school already. The survey was then embedded with existing support structures in the school - those pupils who came out Amber were passed to CODA's pupil-led 'Wellbeing Ambassador' team, and those that came out as Red were passed to the schools 'Pastoral team' for 1-to-1 interventions.

While it was useful for CODA to see the breakdown in that way, Mr Meehan warned schools to consider the total numbers of students in any given group before acting. If there are only a handful of students in a given category, can the results in that category be considered as statistically significant? Mr Meehan indicated that where an issue was identified in a smaller cohort by the survey, individual results were given greater weight to gain a fuller understanding.

When asked what he felt the limitations to the survey were, Mr Meehan outlined firstly that there was no indication in the results of how long pupils had taken to fill in the survey. Mr Meehan questioned the accuracy of the answers given by a pupil that may rushed through and completed the survey in 5 or so minutes, although because of this missing information it was impossible to tell. Mr Meehan also raised an issue regarding pupil comprehension of the survey questions, although this was mitigated by a clear and concise briefing by the form-tutor at the start of the exercise.

When asked if he would recommend the survey to other schools in Derby City that might be considering it, Mr Meehan indicated that it is a useful tool, it was worth doing but any school that is considering it should do so more than once in order to see the 'distance traveled' and improvements year-to-year.

The Pass Survey is appropriate for use in both Primary and Secondary schools, If you would like to read more about the Pass Survey, click here.

Person-centred approaches

Person centred planning is a set of approaches designed to assist someone to plan their life and support. It has grown in both profile and usage across Derbyshire's children's services in recent years, especially since the introduction of the stronger families and safer children way of...Read more

Positive Mental Health Whole-School Resource Pack

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/childrens-mental-health-week-2020-positive-mental-health-whole-school-resource-pack-t-lf-2548809 ...Read more

Prioritising your Mental Health and wellbeing as School staff

A moment to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing! This free interactive online webinar event is designed to be a moment for you to reflect on the ways you look after your mental health and wellbeing, find out tips on building more opportunities for rest in your ...Read more

Pupil Voice

Pupil voice in schools means a whole-school commitment to listening to the views, wishes and experiences of all children and young people. It means placing value on what children and young people tell school staff about their experiences. ...Read more

Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

https://www.westminster-abbey.org/ ...Read more

Reminder: Understanding Mental Health for young people

The mental health charity 'Mind' has put together a useful guide for young people to help them gain a greater understanding of mental health, with some quick tips and guides aimed at helping them manage it. Check it out here: ...Read more

Resources

We have been reading some fantastic books at the moment, this is just one of them. There is a vast choice out there to encourage, help and inspire our young people. ...Read more

Resources for School

NB: time-to-change Have a look at these tried and tested sessions, activities, tool kits, training programmes and films with students and staff, to help this generation become more open about mental health than any before. From lessons, assem...Read more

Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (and Subscales) (RCADS)

The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) is a 47-item, youth self-report questionnaire with subscales including: separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and low mood (major depressive disorder). It als...Read more

Robin Banerjee’s* Socio-Emotional Profile Questionnaires

Socio-Emotional profile questionnaires are designed to help you gain additional information about a child or young person’s emotional health and well-being, as well as to give a picture of the peer relationships and levels of social acceptance and rejection within a class or tutor group. ...Read more

Safer Internet Day

Today is Safer Internet Day... Get you free teaching resources: https://www.internetmatters.org/digital-matters ...Read more

Shout’s ‘Little book of coping skills’

Shout 85258’s ‘Little Book of Coping Skills’ as seen from the things our texters tell Shout Volunteers they’ll do to help them feel better after a conversation. Whether you’re feeling anxious, stressed, worried, overwhelmed or low, this booklet has plenty of tips and techniqu...Read more

Some good reads…

We have started off the year reading some good books and resources to help with our Mental Health and Wellbeing. Amazon currently have some good deals on various categories. Below is the link for Dr Alex George, "A Better Day" ...Read more

Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

What is the SDQ? The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a brief behavioural screening questionnaire designed for 3-16 year olds.It exists in several versions to meet the needs of researchers, clinicians and educationalists. Available ...Read more

Stress Awareness Day

NB: www.stress.org.uk/free-resources-2021 ...Read more

Stress-busting tips: how to stay calm and in control

Education Support's webinar will offer practical advice and support for teachers and education staff. Follow the link to book your place: ...Read more

Suicide Bereavement Training for Derby & Derbyshire – FREE ONLINE

NB: @dva.org.uk Joined Up Care Derbyshire have commissioned Harmless to deliver half day Suicide Bereavement training sessions online for staff and volunteers from a broad range of statutory, community and voluntary sector organisations, working within Derbyshire county and Ci...Read more

Support for Staff

The government mental health and wellbeing guidance for COVID-19 is packed full of i...Read more

Supporting each other: how staff can help each other with mental health and wellbeing

Get yourself booked onto this free webinar taking place: Tuesday 8th February 4-5pm 🕔 Get your FREE ticket here: https://t.co/CsmkEW4O36 ...Read more

Taking Care of Teachers

NB: Education Support Get the tools you need to create a school culture that prioritises the mental health and wellbeing of teachers & all staff including: Staff wellbeing audit Mental health plan template Chec...Read more

Talking about anxiety – Free Seminar

Have you booked on yet? This is an opportunity to attend a free seminar about anxiety in children and young people and practical tips for addressing it with a panel of experts on May 22nd 16.30-18.00. The seminar is provided by Anna Freud. ...Read more

Teacher Wellbeing

There's still time for you to get your ticket for Education Support webinar tomorrow, hosted with @AcademyTrust! Hear from their panel of experts and find out how to prioritise mental health and wellbeing in schools. Get your free ticket now ...Read more

The art of giving up…

NB: Dr Andy Cope @beingbrilliant An interesting blog post... ...Read more

The Leuven Scale

Manual: Well-being and Involvement in CareA process-oriented Self-evaluation Instrument forCare Settings...Read more

Manual: Well-being and Involvement in Care
A process-oriented Self-evaluation Instrument for
Care Settings Download

This tool has been developed by a team based at the Research Centre for Experiential Education (Leuven University – Belgium) under the supervision of Dr. Ferre Laevers. The tool focuses on two central indicators when planning any educational setting: ‘Wellbeing’ and ‘Involvement’. Wellbeing refers to feeling at ease, being spontaneous and free of emotional tensions and is crucial to secure ‘mental health’. Wellbeing is linked to self-confidence, a good degree of self-esteem and resilience. Involvement refers to being intensely engaged in activities and is considered to be a necessary condition for deep level learning and development.

Assessment of Wellbeing and Involvement

Laevers has created a 5 point scale to measure both wellbeing and involvement. If there is a lack of wellbeing and or involvement, it is likely a child’s development will be threatened. The higher the levels of wellbeing and involvement we can achieve for the child, the more we can add to the child’s development. When there are high levels of wellbeing and involvement, we know that deep level learning is taking place.

The evaluation starts with assessing the levels of wellbeing and involvement using the tables.

The procedure is simple and can be compared to ‘scanning’: observe the children for about two minutes to ascertain the general levels of wellbeing and involvement using the five-point scale. The observation can focus on groups of children or can be used to focus on a particular individual. Unless a child is operating at 4 or 5, learning will be limited. However, children cannot peak at levels 4 or 5 all the time and levels will fluctuate throughout the day.

Leuven Scale of Wellbeing

Extremely Low - The child clearly shows signs of discomfort such as crying or screaming. They may look dejected, sad, frightened or angry. The child does not respond to the environment, avoids contact and is withdrawn.
Low - The posture, facial expression and actions indicate that the child does not feel at ease. However, the signals are less explicit than under level 1 or the sense of discomfort is not expressed the whole time.
Moderate - The child has a neutral posture. Facial expression and posture show little or no emotion. There are no signs indicating sadness or pleasure, comfort or discomfort.
High - The child shows obvious signs of satisfaction (as listed under level 5). However, these signals are not constantly present with the same intensity.
Extremely High - The child looks happy and cheerful, smiles, cries out with pleasure. They may be lively and full of energy. Actions can be spontaneous and expressive. The child may talk to him/herself, play with sounds, hum, sing. The child appears relaxed and does not show any signs of stress or tension. He / she is open and accessible to the environment. The child expresses self-confidence and self-assurance.

Leuven Scale of Involvement

Reference: Well-being and Involvement in Care Settings. A Process-oriented Self-evaluation Instrument, Ferre Laevers (Ed.) Research Centre for Experiential Education, Leuven University. ISBN: 978-90-77343-76-8)

Level Involvement Signals:

Extremely Low - Activity is simple, repetitive and passive. The child seems absent and displays no energy. They may stare into space or look around to see what others are doing.
Low - Frequently interrupted activity. The child will be engaged in the activity for some of the time they are observed, but there will be moments of non-activity when they will stare into space, or be distracted by what is going on around.
Moderate - Mainly continuous activity. The child is busy with the activity but at a fairly routine level and there are few signs of real involvement. They make some progress with what they are doing but don’t show much energy and concentration and can be easily distracted.
High - Continuous activity with intense moments. The child’s activity has intense moments and at all times they seem involved. They are not easily distracted.
Extremely High - The child shows continuous and intense activity revealing the greatest involvement. They are concentrated, creative, energetic and persistent throughout nearly all the observed period.

The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale

The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale was developed to enable the monitoring of mental wellbeing in the general population and the evaluation of projects, programmes and policies which aim to improve mental wellbeing. It is designed to work with Children and Young People from the ...Read more

The Wellbeing Workout kicks off today at 4pm……

The Wellbeing Workout is designed as a mental health ‘6-pack’. The 6 webinar programme is designed to equip you with knowledge, skills and know-how to upgrade to ‘best possible self’ more often... and it starts today at 4pm.The We...Read more

Time To Talk Day 02/02/2023

NB: @Rethink Mental Illness @Mind This day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health. We all have mental health, by talking about it we can support ourselves and others. ...Read more

Top tips on connecting with nature to improve our mental health

NB: Mental Health Foundation Including some simple ways of connecting with nature that don't involve climbing mountains. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/MH...Read more

Top tips to support children and young people

NB: www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters Some children and young people would have enjoyed being off school, while others will have really struggled, keeping them at home and away from friends. Others may be coming to terms with family problems, loss or changes to their living situat...Read more

Transition toolkit

Thinking about the transition from Primary to Secondary Schools? The Anna Freud website has put together some amazing free resources. Follow the link for more information: ...Read more

Ukraine Crisis Mental Health Visual Aid

Upcoming FREE webinars on mental health in school and colleges

Webinars for teachers, school and college leaders https://t.co/Ol7szcoijW?amp=1 ...Read more

Voice of the Child Toolkit

Practitioners working with children and young people have developed a set of e...Read more

WDSD 2023

Wellbeing & Mental Health of Teachers & Education Staff

NB: www.educationsupport.org.uk Education Support offer a range of free support to all school staff . They promote this service as much as possible in Mental Health Leads’ Network meetings and receive nothing but excellent feedback on the articles and helpline support that ...Read more

Why Nature? #mentalhealthawarenessweek

'There is something to be wondered at in all of nature' - Aristotle Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that it’s almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world. For most ...Read more

Workplace Culture Change

NB: Mental Health First Aid England How often do you check in with your colleagues about their wellbeing? Our #MyWholeSelf MOT is a free guide that will help you check in on your own and others’ mental h...Read more

World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Acceptance Week is back from 27 March to 2 April 2023. The theme for 2023 is colour. Have a look at the resources available on the website: https://www.autism....Read more

World book day 2022#25years

Visit: https://www.worldbookday.com/schoolsandnurseries/ for a wealth of ideas and resources. ...Read more

World Kindness Day

https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-kindness-day-2022/ ...Read more

World Mental Health day

NB: www.youngminds.org.uk Wear yellow on 10 October and donate to Young Minds this World Mental Health Day. Together we can create a brighter future for young people's mental health. Sign up for free School fundraising packs: https://www.youngmi...Read more

World Mental Health Day 2021 Podcast

NB: Mentalhealth.org.uk This is the Mental Health Foundation podcast. A series which brings to you a range of mental health topics, real life stories, expert comments, and mental health tips. Jennie Walker is your producer and host. She has her own lived experience ...Read more

World Mental Health Day 2022 toolkit

Toolkits of resources for primary and secondary/FE settings, full of World Mental Health Day activities for whole classes, small groups or individual pupils. ...Read more

World Suicide Prevention Day

Click on the link for some helpful resources: https://www.iasp.info/wp-content/uploads/World-Suicide-Prevention-Day-Suggested-Activities.pdf ...Read more

Your Mental Health

A range of content designed to give you more information about mental health and to help you to look after your mental health. There are podcasts, videos, inspiring stories and information about getting help if you're struggling. ...Read more

Youth Mental Health Day

How will you connect? ...Read more

Youth Mental Health Day September 22nd

NB: www.stem4.org.uk #YMHD#ConnectMeaningfully This year’s Youth Mental Health Day will focus on the importance of building and maintaining meaningful connections and relationships. For further information, classroom resource...Read more

Whole School Approach

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Staff Zone