ROAR WSA training for senior mental health leads in schools

The ROAR Whole School Approach (WSA) training suite has been developed to support the professional development of mental health leads in primary and secondary schools.

What are the ROAR WSA aims?

ROAR Whole School Approach to mental health in schools training supports senior mental health leads to develop a coordinated and evidence-based approach to access and implement the WSA model in their school.

The training has been developed in partnership with colleagues from education to give senior leaders an overview of key principles (based on the PHE model) to promote emotional health and wellbeing across education. The training has grown out of Liverpool’s long-standing multi-agency city-wide WSA and the development of mental health support teams in schools.

The course works in synergy with the ROAR Liverpool WSA assessment tool, which gives senior leaders a baseline report to develop and implement an action plan to see mental health and emotional wellbeing considered in all aspects of school life. Supported by ten stand-alone modules, the course will help senior leads develop each principle of their whole school approach, using resources, further training, and support whilst maximising the role of local mental health support teams.

Participants can also access further ROAR Training (ROAR primary/secondary, Early Years, ROAR SEND, ROAR Culture and ROAR supervision training) to develop specific principles such as recognising need. Senior MHLs are encouraged to bring along additional staff to specific modules to build their mental health team in school.

Based on the Public Health England model (above), the Liverpool model comprises eight key areas, starting with leadership and management and then extending to every aspect of school life.

The outer rings of the model link to support and resources that can assist schools in developing each of these areas. The ROAR Whole School Approach to Mental Health in Schools training has been designed to support the use of the WSA audit tool, which gives senior leaders a baseline report to develop and implement an action plan to ensure mental health and emotional wellbeing are considered in all aspects of school life.

DfE funded senior mental health lead training

The Department for Education (DfE) is offering grants for eligible state-funded schools and colleges in England to train a senior mental health lead to develop and implement a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. This training is not compulsory, but it is part of the government’s commitment to offer this training to all eligible schools and colleges by 2025.

Eligible settings can apply for a senior mental health lead training grant to commence training by 31 July 2024.

Find out how to apply for your training grant here.

How does ROAR WSA work?

We recommend completing all ten modules for senior mental health leads in schools to achieve the Mental Health WSA ROAR Champion Certificate. Participants can combine this with further ROAR training (primary or secondary) and any ROAR CPD (Early Years, ROAR SEN, ROAR Culture) additions to further develop their skills.

For schools wanting to send targeted staff onto specific modules, any of these can be accessed as stand-alone CPD training.