Why complete senior mental health lead training?
The Government is encouraging schools and colleges to appoint a senior mental health lead in order to drive more effective mental health early intervention.
Training in the role is not compulsory but highly recommended and covered by a grant of up to £1,200 from the DfE (Department for Education). While many schools and colleges may already have a mental health lead, the knowledge and skills they have will vary. The role is demanding and it can be difficult to know how to focus your time and quickly make an impact.
Real Training’s DfE approved courses are designed to equip SMHLs with the latest methods and models to allow sustained and strategic change at a whole-school level.
Choose the right Senior Mental Health lead course for you
Senior Mental Health Leadership
Certificate Course
(Online – 6 months)
Perfect for those newly appointed to the SMHL role or who have not had any formal training.
- Get to grips with the SMHL role and responsibilities (prioritise time and quickly make an impact).
- Understand the eight principles of the whole-school approach to mental health laid out by Public Health England.
- Embed a whole school approach, gaining a broad understanding of what mental health is and what it means for your setting.
- Audit your provision and create an action plan for change, leveraging frameworks from organisations like the EEF (Education Endowment Fund).
Designed and delivered by Educational Psychologists
Senior Mental Health Leadership
Advanced Award
(Online – 12 months)
For SMHLs who want to gain a deeper understanding of mental health or for those who are more experienced in the role.
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the latest research and perspectives on social and emotional wellbeing
- Understand the principles of a whole-school approach.
- Critically assess your own mental health policies, processes, models and frameworks.
- Create a plan for strategic change after studying implementation science and systems thinking.
- Benefit from one-to-one coaching for a year from an EP as you create and implement your action plan.
Designed and delivered by Educational Psychologists
“Assignments are thoughtfully crafted to empower learners to apply their theoretical understanding directly within their own contexts. Additionally, learners are encouraged to engage in broader discussions with their peers on the discussion boards and within wider in-house teams.”
DfE feedback on our senior mental health leadership courses (2024)
Create your whole-school action plan with Real Training’s Educational Psychologists
Real Training is a leading DfE approved provider of senior mental health lead training. Our courses are created and led by practising Educational Psychologists (EPs), with specialist knowledge of mental health and wellbeing.
Benefit from:
- An EP tutor for the duration of the course
- A hands-on approach to learning; create your action plan and receive feedback as you go
- Options to book video/telephone calls or join live sessions
- A clear understanding of change and implementation techniques with templates provided
- Insight into how appropriate referrals can be made
- One-to-one coaching (on our Advanced course only)
“I’ve gained an understanding of how to move the whole school policy forward. The course was detailed and accessible with excellent resources and an encouraging tutor.”
Catherine Murphy, Deputy Headteacher – Certificate course.
Learn online at your own pace and join our vibrant SMHL community!
Delivered online, our courses are designed to be as flexible as possible so you can fit study in around a demanding day job.
Join other SMHLs in our virtual study groups as you learn on Campus Online.
Discover a multi-modal learning experience, with contribution to peer discussion at the heart of learning.
Benefit from:
- Self-paced study options (or the choice of live sessions)
- An extensive resource library
- User-generated content from previous SMHLs
- Access to the forum
“The real benefit is that the course fitted in exactly around what we needed to do in school.
After studying, I developed a training package around trauma and was able to give this to staff to support individual pupils. I was able to think more widely around mental health and how to support parents and staff as well as children.”
Andrew Chadwick, Headteacher – read his full review of our Advanced Award.
Who is eligible and how do you apply for DfE funding?
Who should consider Senior Mental Health Lead training?
Your setting can decide who is put forward for the training as individual circumstances may vary. Delegates must be empowered to develop and oversee your setting’s whole school or college approach. This might include:
- Headteachers
- Deputy/assistant headteachers
- Member of the senior leadership team
- Existing mental health leads with authority, capacity and support to influence and lead strategic change within the setting
We have developed a Certificate course as a comprehensive introductory course and an Advanced Award for more experienced Senior Mental Health leads.
What is the latest DfE funding update and how do I apply?
The Department for Education (DfE) is offering a grant of £1,200 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.
There are also second grants available for eligible settings who have used their funding, but whose Senior Mental Health Lead has left.
They have recently announced an extention to the date when funding must be claimed – this is now 31 March 2025.
Take a look at their website for the latest information about grant funding.
Should you meet the eligibility criteria, the DfE has confirmed that the grant funding is available for up to £1,200 per setting to cover training for one senior leader in the school. To find out if you meet these criteria, take a look at our guide to applying to the DfE for grant funding.
In order to apply for funding, the DfE has said you must book the course with your chosen provider first, and then apply for the grant by visiting this page and following the links to the online form.
Are these courses available to non-UK based schools?
It is important to note that these courses are as relevant to international and non-state school settings as they are to state schools. Supporting well-being and mental health are important topics for all schools.
Having designed these approved courses we believe international schools will find the principles and practice translate well across cultures. The courses also include personal tutoring to support the design an improvement plan that is relevant to your school. Our tutors also have experience of working in and with international schools.
Please note, the DfE grant for these courses is NOT available to non-state or non-UK based settings. However, non-funded places are available on every cohort.
How long does Senior Mental Health lead training take?
How long do both Real Training courses take to complete?
Our senior mental health lead courses are practice-led, so your setting can start benefitting straight away. We have designed the courses to be as thorough as possible and the durations are as follows:
- Senior Mental Health Leadership Certificate: Up to six months
- Senior Mental Health Leadership Advanced Award: Up to twelve months
How much time should I commit to get the most out of the training?
Learning is self-paced meaning you don’t have to commit to a certain number of study hours each week. You can study when you have the time and put things on pause when you are busy.
The courses are designed to complement the projects you need to tackle in your specific setting, so the work you are doing will be directly relevant to the SMHL role.
While you might find shorter courses offered by other providers, we believe that learning should be practice-led and completed over a period of time to allow us to support you whilst you complete your ‘Plan for Change’.