AMHIE Newsletter April 2026

A fond farewell and a new beginning – our April 2026 Newsletter

Some final words on AMHIE from Lily Blakeledge

I would like to let you all know that April 2026 will be my final month with AMHIE as I’ll be moving on to start a new chapter in my life. Being a part of AMHIE since 2021 has been life changing for me, I have met some lovely people, worked with some amazing organisations and had some wonderful experiences.

Many of you might remember AMHIE back when it was the National Network of Mental Health Leads which was when I started at The Root Of It.

From the very first Mental Health Show in 2023, to the release of AMHIE on Air; I’ve been there is the background quietly helping you all with your day-to-day challenges. I have been part of this journey every step of the way, learning, researching and working to support you in your roles. It’s taught me so much.

I would like to say that I will treasure everything I have learned, but some of it is hard to hear. The pressures that you face, the stress and the difficulties that you all have to deal with daily is a struggle to witness. But through it all there is something so powerful in everything that you all do every single day.

You keep going. You support your students, your team – you nurture them and you grow.

It’s absolutely incredible to see the devotion and hard work that each and every one of you put into your work and it’s been an absolute pleasure to be there with you.

I might be moving on, but it’s not the end for AMHIE so please don’t worry! Richard will be appointing a successor to take care of you with everything you have come to expect from AMHIE. Your resources, your membership, your support – it’s all going to be the same just with a slightly different voice.

Take care and all the best, it’s been an absolute pleasure.

Lily Blakeledge.

Members Survey

As things will be changing for you, I think it would be a great opportunity for you to take 5 minutes and answer the AMHIE Members survey. It’s completely anonymous and it will give you the chance to let the new brand leader help shape your offer and what you’ll be getting from AMHIE.

Coming up in May for AMHIE:

• Mental Health Lead CPD: 1st May 2026 – AM Using a Cross-Curricular Approach, PM Working with Pupils, Families and Communities on a Mental Health Strategy – book and use your 30% off to pay £205.80 inc VAT per session!
• Peterborough early bird ticket offer: Get the price of your conference ticket deducted from your Mental Health First Responder training
• Our next episode of AMHIE on Air hosted by AMHIE Chair Richard Daniel Curtis: “Mental Health Awareness Week: In an era of high-stakes ‘Action’ for mental health, is the current education system actually designed to support wellbeing, or is it fundamentally at odds with it?”
• Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: Resources and reflections 11-17th May

April 2026 Education round up:

Key updates on policy, compliance, and wellbeing for AMHIE members.

1. Statutory Duty: New ‘Reasonable Force’ Regulations

As of April 1, 2026, the Department for Education’s updated statutory guidance on Restrictive interventions and reasonable force has come into full effect.

• The Change: Schools are now legally required to record and report all incidents of restrictive intervention to parents on the same day.
• MHL Insight: This update shifts the focus toward post-incident support. Schools must now demonstrate how they are supporting the mental health of both the pupil and the staff member involved immediately following a high-stress confrontation.

2. Ofsted’s New 4-Year Inspection Cycle

Ofsted has officially shortened the inspection window for Early Years providers. Under the Best Start in Life strategy, the previous 6-year window has been replaced with a 4-year cycle.

• The Change: New providers will now be inspected within 18 months of registration.
• MHL Insight: Increased inspection frequency often correlates with heightened staff anxiety. Now is the time to review your Inspection Wellbeing protocols to ensure staff feel supported rather than scrutinized.

3. Special School Capacity Crisis

New data released mid-April highlights that special schools in England are currently operating at 11,000 pupils over capacity. With nearly 170,000 pupils in a system designed for 160,000, the strain on resources is critical.

• The Change: The DfE is facing renewed pressure to accelerate the “SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan.”
• MHL Insight: Overcrowding in specialised settings directly impacts sensory regulation and emotional safety. We recommend members review their Environmental Audit tools to mitigate the impact of high-density classrooms on neurodivergent learners.

4. AI and the ‘Critical Thinking’ Gap

A major report from the National Education Union (NEU) this month found that 66% of teachers believe the unregulated use of AI is eroding students’ independent critical thinking.

• The Change: The NEU is calling for a national AI Literacy framework to be integrated into the curriculum by September.
• MHL Insight: There is a growing link between AI-dependency and academic anxiety. When students feel unable to produce work without digital prompts, their self-efficacy drops.

5. National Strike Ballots: NASUWT Update

Following their annual conference in early April, NASUWT members have moved toward a national strike ballot.

• The Change: The dispute centres on the unmanageable 50-hour average work week and the lack of dedicated funding for mental health support staff in schools.
• MHL Insight: Labour instability often ripples through the student body. Clear communication with families regarding wellbeing-first contingency plans is advised should industrial action proceed later this term.

AMHIE Member Action Items:

• Download: The updated Same-Day Reporting Template from our member portal.
• Register: For our May Webinar on Managing Inspection Stress in the Early Years.
• Audit: Check your school’s AI policy against the new NEU recommendations.