Universal / Whole School Approach
"Supporting a Whole School, trauma informed, relational approach to wellbeing that is 'Everybody's Business'"
A Universal / Whole School Approach to emotional wellbeing is an effective, evidenced based way of boosting wellbeing across the whole school community as well as contributing to belonging / inclusion and attendance and attainment.
Research shows that when schools adopt a multi-component approach they are more effective in promoting social, emotional health and mental wellbeing. A whole school approach involves pupils, staff, parents and the community as well as outside agencies in addressing emotional wellbeing and mental health issues.
What is a Whole School Approach?
A WSA recognises that all aspects of the school community can impact upon students’ learning and mental health and that they are inextricably linked.
A true Whole School Approach is not about specific programmes or a linear pathway. Rather, it is something that individual schools can work with to meet your specific needs and starting points.
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can"
There are a number of 'models' but the most effective are underpinned by the Eight Principles set out in the Public Health England: "Promoting children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing: a whole school and college approach". (The PHE principles form the basis of the DfE support / training for Senior Mental Health Leads and a key part of the support offered to (primary) schools by the Mental Health in Schools Teams).
Alongside the PHE 8 Principles we are particularly impressed by the simplicity and depth of Pooky Knightsmith's 6 Litmus Tests outlined in 'The Mentally Healthy Schhols Workbook'. See more in the Interactive WSA Toolkit below.
The PHE Eight Principles of a Whole School Approach
with Six Litmus Tests (Pooky Knightsmith)
Leadership and management that supports and champions efforts to promote emotional health and wellbeing
Leadership and management that supports and champions efforts to promote emotional health and wellbeing
An ethos and environment that promotes respect and values diversity
An ethos and environment that promotes respect and values diversity
Curriculum, teaching and learning to promote resilience and support social and emotional learning
Curriculum, teaching and learning to promote resilience and support social and emotional learning
Enabling student voice to influence decisions
Enabling student voice to influence decisions
Staff development to support their own wellbeing and that of students
Staff development to support their own wellbeing and that of students
Identify need and monitoring impact of interventions
Identify need and monitoring impact of interventions
Working with parents/carers
Working with parents/carers
Targeted support and appropriate referral
Targeted support and appropriate referral
DfE / Ofsted / MH Leads in Schools
The Department of Education (DfE) and Ofsted recognise that the whole school approach will help pupils succeed, as the approach supports them to become resilient and mentally healthy and will be effective in improving long term outcomes for children and young people. The current Ofsted Framework (Sept '21) draws on the PHE 8 Principles as is the DfE funded MH Leads Training.
NICE Guidance
Similarly the NICE guidance [NG223]
Interactive WSA Toolkit
To support schools to develop a WSA that suits the needs of your individual school we are working on an interactive resource. The resource will include simple self-reflection tools. Information areas supporting each of the 8 principles and more. If you click on the model below you'll be taken to appropriate sections on the site.