Pupil mental health and wellbeing: a guide for governing boards

About this resource

This guidance supports governing boards to understand their statutory responsibilities for pupil mental health and wellbeing and to embed a whole-school approach across their setting.

It explains the eight principles set out by Public Health England and the Department for Education, with reflective questions to support strategic discussion and oversight. The guide helps boards review their approach, address educational disadvantage linked to mental health and monitor impact.

Using this resource

This resource is designed for: 

• governing boards and trustees in schools and trusts
• chairs of governors, link governors and leaders with responsibility for mental health and wellbeing.

Learning outcomes

This resource addresses the following learning outcomes:

• Sustain and continually improve the approach in their setting, working effectively with peers and support networks.
• Monitor the impact of a whole school or college approach in their setting.