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Senior Mental Health Lead Training

Supporting your school with The Whole School Approach to Mental Health

 For the new academic year 2026-2027, we are delighted to continue to offer the Dfe approved and accredited CPD Senior Mental Health Lead Training. Our SMHL course has met the DfE quality criteria through previous inspections. We have worked with around 100 schools and colleges over the last 3 years, who we are very pleased to have supported. All of our previous delegates highly recommend our training, and their testimonials can be seen below. To book your school a place on Cohort 11, please get in touch with Sarah today.

DfE Accredited and Assured Senior Mental Health Lead Training

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 £495.00 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
Upcoming Dates

  • 10th Sep – 11th Sep, 6th Oct 2026

    £495.00 + VAT Book
Download Course PDF arrow

Senior Mental Health Lead Training Refresher Course

Refresh your Senior Mental Health Conference certificate for the new academic year 2026 / 2027.

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, it’s time to refresh your training (recommended every year). We are therefore pleased to offer a full day of informative and experiential CPD to welcome in the brand new academic year.

We will revisit the 8 principles of the SMHL whole school approach together, 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 centred around belonging. Find out what support is available for your setting and spend time reflecting and appraising your school/college in a supportive environment led by Sarah Henry.

The usual Nostell Priory Walled Garden Sanctuary warm welcome awaits you, with a small group size of just 15 senior mental health leads. Investment at just £125.00 pp includes your new CPD certificate. To book, please contact Sarah at sarah@sarahhenry.co.uk 

Upcoming Dates

  • 8th Sep 2026

    £125.00 + VAT Book

The Senior Mental Health Lead Conference 

Our 2026 Senior Mental Health Lead Conference brought together around 100 people for a powerful, heartfelt day of learning, connection and belonging.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, contributed, shared, listened and helped make the day so special.

Read the news article arrow

Save the date! The Senior Mental Health Lead conference 2027, 22nd April 2027

What people are saying about our Senior Mental Health courses

  • I was so pleased I chose this course

    I read through about 20 different SMHL training programmes the reason I was attracted to this was because it was local to Wakefield and with it being a face to face programme I felt that it was more personal. I was so pleased I chose this course the trainers have fantastic knowledge and experience with mental health both in a school and out of school. The support we have been given has been amazing. I would definitely recommend this course.

    How we helped

  • This course has been the best course I have been on in over 20 years of teaching

    This course has been the best course I have been on in over 20 years of teaching. The relaxed style of learning needs to be the way forward for all training. The environment contributed to this and the ‘treasures’ in the room at Nostell Priory! I feel like I am a better person and I feel more able to help others by signposting them to where they can get help or support. I met wonderful people in the group – the trainers and the other participants who all shared their passion and enthusiasm for wellbeing, which is so important and inspirational for us all thankyou SHS!

    How we helped

  • This SMHL course has been a fantastic

    This SMHL course has been a fantastic. It has been a small focussed group where we have all opened up and supported each other. It has really made me think differently about certain aspects of mental health and wellbeing

    How we helped

  • Absolutely amazing training

    Absolutely amazing training, it has affirmed things for in my own life,job role and further learning. The trainers have been really supportive. I really can't say what this course has done for me personally and professionally I would recommend it without a shadow of a doubt

    How we helped

  • I feel so much more able

    I loved every second of this course and feel so much more able to support both my colleagues and the students and the whole school community

    How we helped

  • I loved every second

    I loved every second of this course and feel so much more able to support both my colleagues and the students and the whole school community

    How we helped

  • Excellent outcomes with clear guidance

    A clear open forum was provided where learning is emmersive. Excellent outcomes with clear guidance and support for achieving the best way to approach the senior mental health lead role

    How we helped

  • This course has been the best course I have been

    This course has been the best course I have been on over the 20 years of teaching. The relaxed style of learning needs to be the way forward for all training. The environment contributed to this and the treasures in the room too. I feel like I am now a better person and feel more able to help others by signposting others to where they can get help or support. The trainers shared their passion and enthusiasm for wellbeing which is so important and inspirational for us all. I actually feel that all teachers and practitioners should be trained here – it is a sanctuary!

    How we helped

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.