What the Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist Award is, what your school needs to do to achieve it and why we have it.
About the Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist Award
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist Award helps schools have a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
The framework supports schools to review and develop:
- committed and visible leadership
- a positive, respectful and inclusive school culture
- staff wellbeing, knowledge and training
- curriculum provision that supports emotional and social development
- pupil participation and influence
- early identification of need
- targeted support and appropriate referral
- relevant policies and procedures
- work with parents, carers and partner organisations
- monitoring of provision and its impact
Working through the criteria helps schools take a coordinated and sustainable approach to wellbeing, rather than relying on individual or one-off activities. This approach supports the wellbeing of both pupils and staff.
How long it takes
We recommend that you complete the application within one year, so that your answers stay up to date.
Online system
Use our online system to:
- see the up to date award criteria and guidance
- tell us you're starting to work towards a specialist award
- send us evidence of your work
- track your progress
- submit your finished work
You can also download a PDF copy of the pdf Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist Award criteria(874 KB) .
Guidance and resources: mental health and wellbeing in schools
When the criteria have been met, the school receives the Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist Award. This award formally recognising its commitment to embedding mental health and wellbeing across school life.
We have advice, training and resources, such as lesson plans and example policies, on our mental health topic page.
After you achieve the award
Your school will:
- receive a Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist Award certificate
- be able to use award logos on your website or letterheads
- receive further support from the Bristol Healthy Schools Team
Contact us
Get in touch with the Bristol Healthy Schools team to find out more.
Visit Find a Bristol Healthy School to see which school is taking part and the awards they have.