Circle of control, influence and concern tool : Mentally Healthy Schools

This guide from Education Support explains how education staff can utilise the circle of control, influence and concern, which is a widely used problem-solving strategy.

The tool enables individual members of staff and teams to consider any challenges they face and the ways they can think about and respond to them.

The guide includes a clear, step-by-step process to using the circle of control, influence and concern tool within teams.

It also has a section on ‘dedicated worry time’, recognising that there will always be some things that we cannot control and learning to accept these. Staff are encouraged to dedicate a small amount of time to process this feeling and put boundaries around it.

Using this resource

This resource is designed for:

use by mental health leads working with students aged 5 to 19+.

Learning outcomes

This resource addresses the following learning outcomes:

Access and utilise tools, strategies and resources to support their own mental health so that they can look after themselves.
Identify and utilise tools, strategies and resources to confidently engage staff to help promote and support their mental health and wellbeing.
Share simple evidence-based strategies and exercises with staff and pupils/students to help them manage their mental health and develop their own coping strategies.