SCHOOL staff across South Gloucestershire are set to benefit from specialised mental health training.

The two-day training programme for school mental health leads, aims to improve joint working between education and mental health professionals and help develop a shared understanding of the strengths, limitations, capabilities and capacities of the education and mental health system.

Organising the initiative are the South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the public health team at South Gloucestershire Council, working in partnership with the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.

Mental health workshops will be available to staff from schools and mental health services, including NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and charity organisation Off the Record.

The training will also increase knowledge of local resources so that teaching staff are able to support and properly inform children and young people of what help is available.

Dr Kate Mansfield, CCG lead for children and maternity and named GP for safeguarding children, said: “We know that when a young person is brave enough to approach a member of staff at school or medical professional for help, it’s vitally important that we don’t let them fall through the gaps between services.

“We also know that we can help young people most effectively and they will have the best health outcomes if they receive the right care at the earliest possible age.

“This is a great opportunity for staff from schools and mental health care to work more closely to improve the care and experience of children and young people experiencing problems with mental health.

“I’m delighted to see local schools engaging in joined-up approaches with mental health services to ensure that children, parents and teachers know what services are available in South Gloucestershire for children and young people with concerns about their mental health.”

The training was initially formed as part of a joint mental health pilot for 255 schools launched by former Secretary of State for Education Nicky Morgan, and is due to be delivered to schools in the north and south of South Gloucestershire during four dates in the autumn.

Anyone wishing for further information are asked to contact Kate Archibald, commissioning manager for partnerships and integration, on katearchibald@nhs.net.