Social Emotional and Mental Health Conference
On 20th November, more than 90 school governors and trustees, together with colleagues from WCC and partner organisations, Coventry and Warwickshire MIND and Compass (the School Health & Wellbeing Service and Children and Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Services), came together to hear about Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) wellbeing in our schools and academies.
The event, which was jointly funded by the Warwickshire Improving SEMH and SEND in Schools Project (WISSSP) and Governor Services, sought to make governors aware of the national and local data regarding mental health for children, young people and adults. The event also explained the SEMH audit that takes place in all schools and gave an overview of services available to schools from Compass and partner organisations. The conference saw colleagues from Education Services and Health, Wellbeing and Self Care collaborate to put together an agenda that covered the SEMH issues for all people involved within schools and gave governors ideas that they could take back to their own governing boards, whilst also outlining the support mechanisms that are available.
The delegates, who represented more than 60 LA maintained schools and academies in primary, secondary and special settings, heard from a current headteacher about the support his governing board have provided him with access to, from MIND about a Whole School Approach to Mental Health that is being piloted in four schools across Coventry and Warwickshire, and from WCC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Service about Wellbeing Awareness in Schools. These presentations were particularly well received by delegates and featured heavily in the positive feedback about the event. Comments included “Very informative, variety of sessions aimed at all involved with schools”, and “Very useful, thought-provoking and challenging – thank you to everyone”.
We would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to make it such a positive event and we will act on the feedback received, as WCC continues its work to support schools with the challenges they are facing around SEMH issues.