Mental Health in Schools Working Group minutes: December 2024

https://www.gov.scot/groups/mental-health-in-schools-working-group/

Attendees and apologies

• Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) (Chair)
• Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) (rep)
• Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS)
• Association of Scottish Principal Educational Psychologists (ASPEP)
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
• Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS)
• National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)
• School Leaders Scotland (SLS)
• UNISON
• Health and Wellbeing Unit, Scottish Government (secretariat)

Apologies

• Children and Young People’s Mental Health Team, Scottish Government
• Children in Scotland
• Connect
• Education Scotland
• NHS Education Scotland

Items and actions

Welcome, introductions and apologies

The Chair welcomed members to the first meeting of the refreshed Mental Health in Schools Working Group. Introductions and apologies were made.

Terms of Reference

The chair outlined that the focus of the meeting would be on the Terms of Reference (ToR), discussing whether members felt the proposed remit, scope and membership were in the right place.

SG provided an overview of the Terms of Reference, highlighting the work of the previous Mental Health in Schools Working Group. SG highlighted the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and its supporting Delivery Plan and its governance overseen by the Joint Strategic Board (JSB), co-chaired by SG and COSLA.

It was proposed that the Mental Health in Schools Working Group would link in with the Awareness Raising and Promotion group of the JSB. However, work is still in the very early stages so more information will be brought back to the next meeting to discuss further. A standing item will be included on future agendas on the JSB to ensure strong links are maintained.

SG also highlighted the findings of the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (BISSR) and the Health and Wellbeing (HWB) Census, noting that post-covid concerns about children and young people’s mental health have increased along with evidence showing the impact on a number of areas including relationships, behaviour and attendance.

SG provided an overview of the remit and membership. Members provided the following comments:

• SG to update the ToR to clarify how this work fits into the wider picture of work across the system.
• There are a variety of resources available to schools and no particular ones should be highlighted within the ToR.  
• There was a desire to understand how supervision might be captured as part of this work.
• The importance of making links with separate work on staff wellbeing was raised, and this would be reflected in the ToR.
• The group requested that roles and responsibilities within the group were really clear.
• The group felt it would be helpful to have more specific detail to supplement the Terms of Reference, such as an underpinning action plan.
• Clarity required on where the governance of this Working Group sits.
• Whole School Approach framework (WSA) is a robust resource but it was felt more work was required to promote and embed WSA through professional learning or in-school discussions.
• Change ‘where appropriate’ language in remit to make it clearer.
• Important to make connections between this work and Early Years.
• There was a suggestion to invite a representative from the Inspectorate onto the group. SG agreed to explore.
• The group were otherwise content with the proposed membership.

Action: SG to update the TOR based on comments and circulate for comment. Governance structure to be included in the TOR.

Action: SG to find out more about the supervision work taking place in the area of child protection.

Action: SG to develop an action focussed plan that sits below the TOR to provide clarity on the role and expectations of the working group.

Action: SG to contact HMIE Inspectorate to explore whether a representative could join the working group.

COSLA provided an overview of potential scope of the group against the education pathway and suicide prevention. Members were invited to provide comments around education’s role against each chamber. The group expressed interest in considering strengthening where suicide prevention sits within the work of the group. Following discussion, it was agreed the group would revisit this in more depth at a future meeting.

Next steps

It was confirmed that the next meeting is arranged for 13 March at 14:00-15:30.

SG agreed to:

• Update Terms of Reference based on discussions.
• Draft a document outlining proposed actions for the group and circulate via email in advance of the next meeting.
• Bring the WSA and online resource to the next meeting to review these, and assess whether they remain fit-for-purpose.

Action: SG to bring the WSA and online resource to the next meeting to see if they are fit for purpose before promoting and embedding.

AOB

ASPEP asked whether it was known how well the resources were used and provided an example of how the WSA was used in their area. South Lanarkshire also provided examples of how it was used there.

SG advised that analytics indicated that the online resources had been accessed by around 3,500 staff. This indicated that more could be done to promote these resources.

The Chair closed the meeting.