In the face of a growing mental health crisis among young people, UK schools are under increasing pressure to provide not only academic education but also robust support for student wellbeing. The UK government's Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)Â guidelines emphasise the importance of safeguarding and mental health, mandating that schools actively monitor and support the emotional and psychological wellbeing of their students.
At youHQ, we understand that achieving the right balance between academic success and students' mental health support is a challenge. Our platform is designed to help schools meet the mental health and safeguarding requirements outlined in KCSIE, while offering innovative tools that empower educators and students.
Safeguarding: A Fundamental Responsibility in KCSIE
One of the key elements of KCSIE is ensuring that schools have appropriate measures in place to safeguard children. This includes not just physical safety, but also emotional wellbeing. KCSIE stresses the need for early identification of mental health issues among students that could be indicative of broader safeguarding concerns, such as abuse or neglect.
youHQ is built with safeguarding at its core, offering schools seamless integrations that support early identification and intervention. Our safeguarding features allow for automated low mood alerts and for staff to easily log concerns, track students’ emotional wellbeing, and ensure that at-risk children receive the appropriate support. Whether it’s through monitoring behavioural changes, or mood tracking, youHQ helps schools stay proactive, making sure that no student slips through the cracks.
Case Study: Early InterventionÂ
At one of our a state-funded secondary schools, staff used youHQÂ to monitor the emotional wellbeing of students across different year groups. By tracking key indicators like mood, WHO-5 scores and participation in wellbeing resources, the school was able to identify a pattern of anxiety among Year 10 students, particularly in the lead-up to exam periods.
With the youHQ individual student report, the school was able to set up wellbeing plans for those affected via focus groups and quickly offer the appropriate level of support. The result? A significant decrease in student referrals to external mental health services within the first term, thanks to earlier intervention.
Supporting Mental Health Education: Aligning with RSHE & PSHE
Schools are now required to deliver a high-quality mental health education for students. The Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE)Â curriculum, which became mandatory in 2020, incorporates mental health and wellbeing into the core curriculum. Schools are also encouraged to use Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE)Â to further enhance student awareness of emotional health.
youHQÂ offers a dynamic, age-appropriate wellbeing curriculum that helps schools meet the requirements of both RSHE and PSHE. Our curriculum is tagged to the unique students mood and wellbeing data and totally adaptable, providing students with activities and resources that cover topics like emotional resilience, stress management, self-esteem, and how to seek help when needed. The curriculum is underpinned by the PERMAH model and the interactive nature of our content also encourages students to reflect on their own mental health, making the lessons engaging and impactful.
Case Study: Wellbeing Curriculum at a youHQ school
One of our schools has started using our dynamic wellbeing curriculum to supplement their personal development and PSHE lessons. They found that, by embedding regular sessions on mental health and personal wellbeing, students were better equipped to deal with the pressures of exams, relationships, and social media.
Teachers reported that the curriculum helps students develop a more open attitude towards discussing their mental health, with a noticeable improvement in student participation and engagement. After a short time of using the curriculum, they observed a significant reduction in reported incidents of sleep and exams as key attributors for low mood.
Values-Based Goal Setting: Building Emotional Resilience
youHQ’s values-based goal-setting feature is one of the platform’s standout tools for promoting emotional resilience. This tool allows students to set personal goals related to their mental health and wellbeing—goals like improving emotional regulation, building self-confidence, or reducing stress. By linking these goals to core values such as empathy, kindness, and respect (and allowing schools to insert their own values as part of this process), we help students internalise positive behaviours that promote student wellbeing.
This values-based approach is not only motivating but also aligns with KCSIE’s emphasis on creating a holistic, supportive school environment that nurtures the whole child. Schools can track progress, celebrate achievements, and provide tailored interventions if a student is struggling to meet their goals.
Ensuring Compliance with KCSIE Requirements
With mental health being so integral to safeguarding, youHQÂ ensures that schools are not only addressing immediate mental health needs but also meeting the long-term wellbeing goals set out by KCSIE. The platform offers detailed reporting and analytics that help schools track compliance with safeguarding standards and monitor the overall mental health of their students. By offering a comprehensive view of student wellbeing, youHQÂ ensures that mental health is never overlooked and is always addressed within the context of safeguarding.
Why Choose youHQ for Your School's Mental Health Strategy?
By integrating safeguarding, wellbeing education, and goal-setting, youHQÂ provides a unique solution for UK schools looking to meet the growing demands of mental health and safeguarding requirements under KCSIE. Our platform:
Supports early intervention with safeguarding integrations
Offers an age-appropriate, dynamic wellbeing curriculum aligned with RSHE and PSHE
Promotes emotional resilience through values-based goal setting
Provides data-driven insights to track student wellbeing and progress
youHQ is more than just a platform; it’s a partner in creating a culture of care and mental health support within your school. With our comprehensive tools, you can ensure that your students receive the best possible support and guidance, both emotionally and academically.
Take the Next Step: Join the Movement for Mental Health in Schools!
Are you ready to make a difference in your school’s mental health and safeguarding strategy? Book a demo with youHQ today and discover how our platform can help you meet the mental health and safeguarding requirements of KCSIE while building a supportive, resilient community of students.
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