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. 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 schools and colleges are now able to apply for a senior mental health lead training grant to commence training by 31 March 2024. Grants will be provided to cover (or contribute to) the cost of attending a quality assured course, and may also be used to hire supply staff while leads are engaged in learning.

Step 1: Apply for your grant

(find out more and apply for your grant on the DfE website)

Step 2: Book onto training

You can assess your specific learning needs and preferences and select the most suitable quality assured course using the online tool: choosing a senior mental health lead training course.

Contact details are provided in the tool to enable you to book your selected senior mental health lead course directly with a training provider.

Training delivered by Compass

The DfE quality-assured and CPD Certified training delivered by Compass - A practical introduction to implementing a whole school approach - continues our focus on early intervention by delivering practical, evidence-based support to new and existing mental health leads in settings wherever you are in your journey. Our 2 x 6-hour training sessions are delivered online or face-to-face in small groups to facilitate shared learning and develop peer networks. Content focuses on each of the principles of the whole school approach with protected time to audit and action plan your setting. You then access to a follow-up 1-2-1 consultation session, termly Community of Practice sessions, and our facilitated digital platform.

(use the online registration form and choose dates that work for you)