Leading to a Level 4 Certificate in Mental Health Aware Leadership (Educational Mental Health Lead) in addition to accreditation as a Designated Mental Health Lead.
A course designed to look at the role of the Mental Health Lead and reflect on the refinement and improvements to existing systems and processes to meet the requirements, whilst also providing a supportive culture and ethos.
Course Information
Course level
- Introduction
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Course cost: £1,300 + VAT
Who is this course for?
Those appointed to be the mental health lead for a school or college. The senior mental health lead is established in their role and/or has completed comprehensive senior mental health leadership training prior to coming on this course.
Testimonials
This course is amazing! It has really supported myself and my setting to make Mental Health more of a priority for staff, children and families.
This course has given me a clear guide and furthered my knowledge in implementing and improving support around mental health within our setting.
Attending the Advanced/Senior Metal Health Lead training has enabled me to meet with like-minded colleagues from a range of settings to gather good practice, ideas and resources that help guide my strategic thinking and planning of wellbeing and mental health in the workplace and as a taught area within the curriculum. Really valuable information, delivered by knowledgeable and relatable trainers. Thank you
About the course contents
The course itself starts with a module discussing the essence of the full role (as determined by the Department for Education), before moving onto a module on ethos and culture for staff and pupils. The following modules focuses on leadership and management of the topic, pupil voice, engagement with parents, carers, the community and the staff body, staff wellbeing and mental health, including overcoming difficulties in working with others. The final part focuses on reflecting on available local mental health services for pupils, in addition to a module on understanding the mental health and wellbeing requirements in the curriculum.
Online learners self-study 10-15 minute videos to work through the contents. They are set reflective and self-study activities by the tutor to facilitate the learning and are expected to work through these as they complete the modules.
Modules:
- Understanding the Role
- Ethos and Culture
- Leadership and Management
- Pupil Voice
- Parents, Carers and Community
- Staff Support and Development
- Mental Health Interventions
- Targeted Approach
- Curriculum, teaching and learning
We are delighted to work with some amazing local organisations to deliver this training in your area, scroll down to see organisations and training dates.
Download a leaflet on the course:
Assessment
When participants complete the course they automatically receive a digital certificate of attendance. To become a qualified mental health lead there is a portfolio to complete, leading to a Level 4 Certificate in Mental Health Aware Leadership.
As learners work through the course, at the end of each module they are encouraged to complete activities to support the embedding of the learning to their work. In addition, learners complete some self-study of a topic relevant to them or their setting.
This portfolio is based on the Department for Education outcomes for Designated Mental Health Lead training and the portfolio assesses the ability of the participant to be able to perform the competencies identified (or oversee them where that function is undertaken by others) to enable us to qualify them for the role. It can take 3-5 years to embed the learning from the course, so the portfolio allows participants to identify how they would do it, or how they liaise with others to monitor the implementation of the particular skill.
The DfE expectations of the competencies of the role can be downloaded from the DfE at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/Learning_outcomes_for_senior_mental_health_leads_in_schools_and_colleges.pdf. It is important that time is set aside to complete the portfolio if a participant wishes to, as there are a large number of outcomes set by the DfE.
Learners reflect on activities in their portfolio, by responding to the questions in there. Guidance is available on the expectations on the response to each. These need to be returned within 7 months of the course start.
To help people understand these requirements, we have included a sample completed portfolio below.
Online self-study courses
Online learners self-study 10-15 minute videos to work through the contents. They are set reflective and self-study activities by the tutor to facilitate the learning and are expected to work through these as they complete the modules.
This course is designed for those in a non-Senior Leadership role:
This course is designed for those taking up (or already in) a Senior Leadership role:
Live Courses
These courses are run in person over 3 dates, the course allows 7 months in total for the completion of the portfolio. Participants are also able to access continuing for a year after starting the course to help embed their strategy through complimentary membership to the Association. This support includes access to a helpline, CPD and events such as our regional conferences.
Online
18th November 2025, 14th January 2026 & 26th February 2026
9th March 2026, 20th May 2026 & 16th June 2026
No course in your area? Click here to let us know you are interested