Numerous public sector organisations and charities are pledging to improve mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people. To help schools in Haringey navigate the variety of free training on offer, Public Health has outlined the series of upcoming training to help schools plan and identify appropriate members of staff to attend.
We recommend that schools identify two or three members of staff to attend the variety of training available, and to work together on whole school resilience. Sharing training opportunities between identified staff will build capacity for these specialists to identify the needs of children and staff early, provide support, and signpost or refer where appropriate. Crucially, this will offer opportunities for trained staff to support each another and will increase school resilience and sustainability of the work.
Suicide Prevention Training, delivered by PAPYRUS
Suitable for primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, pupil referral units, and colleges.
Participants will learn what suicide ‘invitations’ look like, how to respond to them and how to work with that person to keep them suicide-safe – including, where necessary, which support to signpost on to.
Date: 9am – 12pm Thursday 21 March
Location: Alexandra Park School, Rhodes Ave, N22 7UT
To book email paul.osbiston@papyrus-uk.org and state the name and role of the attendee
Spotting the Signs (eating disorders), delivered by BEAT
Suitable for secondary schools and school nurses.
Participants will learn about the impact of the most common eating disorders, and how to spot the early signs. The course will advise how to best support pupils who might be affected and will raise awareness of the support services available.
Dates: 9:30am – 4:30pm on any of the following dates: Wednesday 20 March in Barnet; Thursday 16 May in Havering; Tuesday 9 July in Harrow; Thursday 11 July in Redbridge
How to book: Use the above hyperlinks to book the relevant training day.
Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), delivered by trained Haringey Council and Whittington Health NHS Trust staff
Suitable for primary schools and secondary schools (please note the course is aimed at staff working with children and young people aged 8-18).
Participants will gain an in depth understanding of young people’s mental health and factors that affect wellbeing, practical skills to sport the triggers, and develop confidence to reassure and support a young person in distress. Topics will include depression, anxiety, suicide, psychosis, self-harm and eating disorders.
Date: This is a two-day training session which will be delivered in June 2019 (exact dates and locations to be confirmed)
How to register your interest: Please email healthy.schools@haringey.gov.uk
Other services
Haringey’s strategic approach to supporting the emotional wellbeing and mental health and of children and young people, can support schools to implement the learning from these courses:
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The Anchor Project provides education settings with information, advice and support to strengthen whole-school wellbeing and resilience, focusing on school policy, systems and practice.
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The Educational Psychology Service provides high quality psychological support to children, young people and their families to improve their education and wellbeing outcomes.
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The Healthy Schools Programme aims to support a whole-school ethos around health and wellbeing including mental health through reflecting on current practices and establishing a joined-up approach with support services and partners.
