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 WSA is an integrated school systems approach - beyond programmes
An Approach... Not a specific programme or a linear pathway but something that individual schools can work with to meet 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 for 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)
The PHE Eight Principles of a Whole School Approach
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 Whole School Approach and the DfE funded MH Leads Training is centred on the 8 Principles.
Nice Guidance
Similarly the NICE guideline [NG223]
More about a Whole School Approach
Interactive WSA Resource
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. The resource is currently a work in progress so we welcome wishlists and feedback.
WSA self-reflection
Page last updated: 27 April 2023
