A new charity is aiming to revolutionise teacher training and recruitment by developing secondary level educators into multi-disciplined, mental health specialists. The Difference, with support from the IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research), aims to reduce the impact of mental health on attendance and exclusions, by adding to teachers’ talents with valuable training in dealing with mental health.

The launch of the charity coincides with a worrying report from the IPPR themselves on the long-term link between exclusion from school and social exclusion altogether – including incarceration. Of the 85,000+ people currently in jail, almost two-thirds of them were excluded at least once during their education. The findings of the report – which is due to be launched in early September – will be used to highlight the potential role of workforce development in breaking this link.

There are currently around 7000 school exclusions per year, which equates to around 35 per school day. The intervention that The Difference hope to make would start with recognising how many of these permanent exclusions could be avoided by recognising existing mental health conditions in the pupils affected.

By re-training teaching staff to note and know how to handle a wider range of conditions that could impact future exclusions, earlier intervention could help to reduce these figures and improve futures. Alongside the benefit to the individual pupil, the schools and Local Authorities involved would also reduce their exclusion figures.

The success of this proposed programme would involve more use of Alternative Provision (AP), when and where required, including short-term education and off the school-site, or referral to Pupil Referral Unites (PRU’s) in extreme circumstances.

Where the re-training of the teaching staff would be helpful, is in providing more information prior to referral. Alongside the attendance and exclusion figures, this could ensure less disruption for the pupils affected.

The Difference will be recruiting from next year, and anybody from the affected sectors interested in the proposal is encouraged to contact the project leader, Kiran Gill.

At Hygia Healthcare Training, we know that the value of quality training and re-training can be priceless. But it is not just existing healthcare or professional staff who can improve their knowledge and practical skills through new, or additional training. Anybody who feels they could benefit from learning more about mental health, perhaps to assist with the care or understanding of a family member, is welcome. Our training courses can be tailored to meet the needs of individuals, groups, and entire workforces.

Contact us today for your healthcare training needs.