About
Our services
close menu

Cookies

We sometimes use cookies to collect information about your visit. We use this information:

  • to understand how visitors use this site (analytics)
  • to improve your experience (functional)

If you are happy to accept these cookies, please click below.

Accept all

Alternatively, you can choose your personal preferences from the options below and click "Update" to give us your consent to use specific cookies. You can also choose to "Decline All" remove any permissions you may have previously set.

You can find out more information from our Privacy policy and Cookie policy.

Decline all
Access cookie management controls

Senior Mental Health Lead Training

Helping your team find the support they need

For 2025 – 2026 we are delighted to continue to offer the Dfe approved and accredited CPD Senior Mental Health Lead Training. Our course has met the DfE quality criteria to deliver grant funded Senior Mental Health Lead training and we currently have three cohorts of learners from different schools and colleges undertaking their SMHL training with us. We have worked with 80 schools and colleges from wide and far over the last 3 years we are really proud and honoured to have supported them.

DfE Accredited and Assured Senior Mental Health Lead Training

We deliver this training in partnership with our training associate Jayne James of Jayne James Training, who is a SafeTALK instructor and was the former director of Wakefield Samaritans. Jayne was a Samaritan for over 20 years.

Our course includes 3 full days of face-to-face training, 6 peer support twilight sessions, and 1-2-1 coaching from one of the instructors for a year. We have places available for a maximum of 6 delegates at a time in order for us to provide a bespoke and supportive training experience.

Course places are £1500.00 each, fully inclusive of all training dates and personal coaching for one year. The DfE free grant funding has now ended but schools can apply to privately fund the course.

Our training is delivered at our specially designed venue, The Switzer Suite facilities, which is set in the beautiful grounds of Nostell Priory Estate in Wakefield WF4 1AB. Lunch and refreshments are included on all days, and a very warm welcome is always guaranteed.

Highlights of our course

  • We are listed as one of 62 nationally approved suppliers
  • Our course can be found on the DfE guidance page

There are currently no upcoming dates for this course. Please check back soon.

Senior Mental Health Lead Training Refresher Course

New for the academic year 2025 / 2026.

New for this year. The DfE launched Senior Mental Health Lead training back in 2022. Therefore, you may have completed your training some time ago. If you are a trained SMHL either with us (SHS) OR through another provider and would like to refresh your training, we are pleased to offer a full day of informative and experiential CPD to welcome in the new academic year.

We will revisit the 8 principles of the SMHL whole school approach together at Nostell Priory, and we will share what works when it comes to delivering on the whole school approach to mental health and how to get your culture just right.

The toilet fairy is sure to make an appearance, and of course, the usual Nostell warm welcome awaits! Limited places of 15 per group. This will be the first of these and definitely one not to miss for all SMHLs. Places just £100.00 pp.

There are currently no upcoming dates for this course. Please check back soon.

The Senior Mental Health Lead Conference 

Belonging in Schools – The Whole School Approach to Mental Health

Join us for the second annual Senior Mental Health Lead Conference—a unique opportunity for Senior Mental Health Leads, SENCOS, EWOs, Pastoral Support staff, School Counsellors, School Nurses, Camhs, Educational Psychologists, Head Teachers, School Governors and all professionals working with children and young people in schools.

This year’s theme: Belonging in Schools
Discover how to foster cultures of belonging and create places of safety for everyone in your school community.

Details:

  • Date Thursday, 30th April, 2026
  • Where The Education Exchange, Delta Academies Trust, Knottingley WF11 0EP
  • Tickets £128.41 with Early Bird discount

For full information on the conference and what to expect, please read our News article here

Upcoming Dates

  • 30th Apr 2026

    9:30am

    £128.41 + VAT Book

Helping you feel prepared and confident for conversations around mental health and wellbeing

Who we have
worked with

Meet your host, Sarah

Hi, I’m Sarah, a Safeguarding & Wellbeing Trainer and Consultant based in Yorkshire. I’m also also a Licensed Instructor for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England. I will act as your host and partner throughout the whole safeguarding process.

My understanding of safeguarding enables me to deliver high quality, easy-to-understand bespoke training and awareness-raising sessions on a range of different safeguarding themes to multi-agency audiences.

I’d love to help you and your team so if you’d like to discuss things, please get in touch today or click here to find out more about SHS.

Get in touch with Sarah today arrow

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Act now to help keep everyone safe

Please note, I can not and do not take safeguarding referrals; nor can I respond to any emails seeking advice in respect of safeguarding matters of a confidential nature. This is in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and my advice would always be to contact your local authority or the emergency services via one of the options below.

Worried about a child?

If you are worried or concerned about a child, please tell someone. You can contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or your local authority social services department.

Worried about a child?

If you are worried or concerned about a child, please tell someone. You can contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or your local authority social services department.

Worried about a child?

If you are worried or concerned about a child, please tell someone. You can contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or your local authority social services department.

If you feel someone’s life may be in danger, please call 999 immediately.