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.

Welcome to our Easter newsletter for March 2026, we've had podcasts and pillars and good chat about what to do now following on from 'Every Child Achieving and Thriving' as well as running our first conference for 2026!

So what did we learn at Newcastle? Well for one thing, our attendees loved the new format with the sessions relating to 'ticking the right mental health boxes' and were very keen on the workbook. In fact, a few even commented that they wished they had the standard ticket over the economy as we didn't have any spare and they missed out! Thanks to all who attended and made it a success, our eyes are now fixed on Peterborough in June...

Our latest AMHIE on Air episode saw us welcome Mohammad Umaid from the Al-Fateh Institute of Health Sciences in Pakistan as our first overseas guest, alongside AMHIE Steering Group member Nicola Bailey, they had a wonderful fireside chat around belonging. Catch up here.

Coming up in April:

• Peterborough early bird ticket offer: Get the price of your conference ticket deducted from your Mental Health First Responder training
• AMHIE Members Training: All AMHIE members training soon available! Upgrade your membership to paid and get full access saving up to £1500!
• Interested in joining in a podcast episode? Contact us to show your interest for our July cohort: support@amhie.com

• Mental Health: Are you ticking the right boxes?: Visit https://amhie.com/mental-health-conferences/ to book your place.
• AMHIE Membership: Our membership offer covers everything your team need to promote DfE and Ofsted compliance for mental health visit for more info: https://amhie.com/membership-to-amhie/
• AMHIE Training: Members get a 30% discount on all training bookings using their exclusive code, join us to get your code. https://amhie.com/training/

Alerts and Releases March 2026

• Landmark Consultation on digital wellbeing announced: Covering everything from social media age bans and overnight curfews to the regulation of AI chatbots.
• Post 16 reforms and V levels: These changes are part of the government’s mission to ensure two-thirds of young people are in high-quality training or education by age 2

Our Blog March 2026

• Introducing the 8 pillars of mental health in education: a foundation for excellence in provision.
• Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026: Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.
• Guest Blog: From Policy to Practice: Why Belonging Is a Felt Experience, Not a Metric

March 2026 Education Round-up

This month has seen significant shifts in the educational landscape, from the long-awaited details of the new Schools White Paper to the escalating tensions surrounding teacher pay and school funding.

In Brief

• National Offer Day: On 2 March, families received secondary school placements. While 83% received their first choice, black spots in London and Birmingham highlighted the ongoing pressure on school places.
• Antisemitism Review: Sir David Bell has been appointed to lead an independent review into antisemitism within schools and colleges. You can read the terms of reference here.
• V Levels Update: Further details were released regarding the rollout of Vocational Levels (V Levels). These are set to replace several Level 3 BTECs starting in September 2027.

The "Every Child Achieving and Thriving" White Paper

Following its initial release in late February, March was dominated by a sector-wide deep dive into the government’s flagship reform package. The proposals, currently under consultation, signal a major shift in how the DfE intends to manage the attainment gap.

• SEND Reform & Inclusive Mainstream Fund: Perhaps the most critical update for our members is the proposed £1.6 billion Inclusive Mainstream Fund. This aims to move away from exclusion by default by introducing a four-tiered support system: Universal, Targeted, Targeted Plus, and Specialist.
• The Trust-Led Future: The government has reaffirmed its commitment to a fully academised system. However, in a change of tone, the focus has shifted toward quality over pace, with no immediate hard deadline for schools currently outside of multi-academy trusts (MATs).
• Ambitious Attainment Goals: The White Paper sets a target to halve the poverty attainment gap by 2030, aiming for a national average GCSE grade of 5.

Industrial Action: NEU Launches Indicative Ballot

The National Education Union (NEU) has officially launched an online indicative ballot this month. This follows the government’s offer of a 6.5% pay rise spread over three years, which the union has branded "insulting" and "wholly unfunded."

If members vote in favour, we could see a formal strike ballot as early as late April, potentially leading to widespread disruption during the summer term. The NEU argues that without additional Treasury funding, schools will be forced to cut staff numbers to afford the pay increase.

Early Years: New Guidance & Funding Pressures

While the government continues to champion the expansion of funded childcare hours, March brought new practical resources for families:

• Screen Time Guidance: On 26 March, the DfE published new evidence-backed digital habits guidance for parents of children under five.
• Sustainability Concerns: Despite claims that families are saving thousands of pounds, early years providers have used this month to warn that current funding rates remain insufficient to cover rising operational costs.

Higher Education: A Sector Under Strain

The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has described March as a month of "crisis management" for UK universities.

• Financial Instability: With the value of domestic tuition fees continuing to erode against inflation, there are growing concerns regarding the long-term viability of several institutions.
• Bridging the Skills Gap: A new series of Future Jobs Roundtables commenced this month in Southampton, focusing on aligning degree apprenticeships with the needs of the UK’s growing green energy and defence sectors.

So here we are in February and we finally have an answer to the question that's been looming on the horizon since September last year - 'when is this White Paper going to show anyway?' I'm certain that it has been quite the whirlwind since it's release, with everybody giving their opinion and weighing in with a 'quick summary' or 'what's included'.

Here in the AMHIE headquarters the talk has mostly been around the merging of mental health and SEND in a lot of the discussions. We want to be quite clear here mental health should not be treated as synonymous with SEND.

Although they can overlap, mental health is a universal human experience that will affect every pupil and member of staff at some point.

We stand on the side that schools should very much adopt a whole-school, preventative approach to mental health — embedding resilience, coping strategies and emotional wellbeing into their culture — rather than limiting support to those who meet SEND thresholds.

Coming up in March:

• Mental Health Conference North: Delivered in Newcastle 2nd March - book here
• Advanced Mental Health Lead Training: 9th March 2026, 20th May 2026 & 16th June 2026 – Book the Live Online Course
• Our next podcast episode - register your interest in participating with Lily on lily.blakeledge@rootofit.com

• Mental Health: Are you ticking the right boxes?: We now have 4 dates for regional conferences starting with North in March 2026, visit https://amhie.com/mental-health-conferences/ to book your place.
• AMHIE Membership: Our membership offer covers everything your team need to promote DfE and Ofsted compliance for mental health visit for more info: https://amhie.com/membership-to-amhie/
• AMHIE Training: Members get a 30% discount on all training bookings using their exclusive code, join us to get your code. https://amhie.com/training/

Introducing Mental Health First Responder training from AMHIE and Mental Health Courses

This intensive two-day training programme is designed to equip individuals with the confidence, knowledge and practical skills needed to recognise and respond to signs of mental distress.

AMHIE members can get money off their course bookings with their discount code and redeem conference ticket purchases against cost price.

Available dates:

• Daytime - 5-6 May
• Evening 11/18 May 1/8 June
• Daytime 8-9 June

Alerts and Releases February 2026

• DfE Policy update: Every child achieving and thriving
• Government ends runaway independent special school fees: Children’s progress put first as government ends runaway independent special school fees
• More support for children through foster care: what you need to know
• Free breakfast club roll out: everything you need to know 
  

Our Blog February 2026

• Children's Mental Health Week 2026: Belonging explore our brand new evidence based toolkit focusing on practical steps to inclusion and belonging at your setting.

February 2026 has been a landmark month for the UK education sector, defined by the release of the most significant policy overhaul in years: the Schools White Paper, "Every Child Achieving and Thriving." For the Association of Mental Health in Education (AMHIE), this month has been equally pivotal. As you have been "moving things around" and launching your new training offers, the national landscape has shifted toward a model that places inclusion and early intervention at the very heart of the school system.

1. The Schools White Paper: A New Vision for SEND

Published on 23 February 2026, the "Every Child Achieving and Thriving" paper represents a ten-year vision for England’s schools. The central pillar is a radical reform of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, moving away from a "battle" for support toward a tiered, inclusive mainstream model.

Key Policy Shifts:

• The Three-Tier Support Model: 1. Universal: High-quality adaptive teaching and calm environments for all. 2. Targeted / Targeted Plus: Small group support and access to "Experts at Hand" (educational psychologists and speech therapists). 3. Specialist: EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) reserved for the most complex needs.
• Individual Support Plans (ISPs): Every child with additional needs will now have a digital ISP to record day-to-day support, aiming to reduce the administrative burden of traditional EHCPs.
• Inclusive Mainstream Fund: A £1.6 billion investment over three years to help schools build "inclusion bases"—dedicated spaces for students who need extra support but remain within mainstream education.

2. Mental Health and Wellbeing in Focus

The White Paper explicitly links academic achievement to mental wellbeing and belonging. This creates a direct mandate for the work AMHIE does, as the government seeks to shift school culture from "withdrawn" to "engaging."

National Discussions & Inquiries:

• Joint Parliamentary Inquiry: The Education and Health and Social Care committees launched a joint inquiry this month into children’s mental health. They are investigating the "long-overdue" link between support systems and the rising rates of school refusal and anxiety-related absence.
• Wait-Time Reductions: There has been a renewed push to integrate Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) more deeply with specialist CAMHS to tackle the backlog of neurodiversity and mental health assessments.

3. Higher Education & The Workforce

• Tuition Fees & Funding: The government confirmed that university tuition fees will rise in line with inflation (RPIx) starting in Autumn 2026, reaching £9,790.
• Teacher Recruitment: Alongside the White Paper, the "6,500 Additional Teachers Delivery Plan" was laid in Parliament, aiming to tackle the chronic retention crisis by improving maternity pay and workload through AI-assisted benchmarking.
• Industrial Action: Despite legislative changes in the Employment Rights Act 2025 that simplified balloting, February saw continued strikes from the National Education Union (NEU) in specific FE colleges over pay and "safeguarding risks" related to staffing levels.

4. AMHIE: Leading the Charge into March

It is clear why February has been so busy for the Association. The White Paper’s emphasis on "National Inclusion Standards" and the £200 million universal SEND training budget creates a massive opportunity for your new training offers.

The Newcastle Show & Training

As you prepare for the Newcastle Show, the sector is looking for practical ways to implement these new "Inclusion Strategies." Your focus on Mental Health First Responders and the 8 Pillars of Mental Health Strategy aligns perfectly with the new requirement for schools to "proactively plan" their support rather than reacting to crises.

Note for AMHIE Members: The government’s 12-week consultation on these SEND reforms is now open until 18 May 2026. This is a crucial window for the Association to influence how "Individual Support Plans" will account for fluctuating mental health needs.

It's the beginning of 2026 and what a year it's been so far, we've had flooding and power cuts and snow! I hope you're all surviving okay, here's the round up of everything that we have reported on this January and there's been a fair few things. It's been a high-stakes month for UK education. The government officially launched the National Year of Reading and confirmed that the long-awaited Schools White Paper on SEND reform will be published later this year, following a "national conversation" with families.

Significant legislative progress was made with the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, including a major amendment granting Ofsted new powers to inspect Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) for the first time. Meanwhile, the Department for Education (DfE) issued "tougher" guidance to make schools phone-free environments by default and introduced AI-powered safety standards for classroom tech. The month also saw the appointment of expert "curriculum drafters" to begin a total overhaul of GCSEs and A-levels, alongside a new £20 million strategy to tackle misogyny in schools.

Here's the key highlights:

New episode available: AMHIE on AIR episode 3: Children's Mental Health Week 2026 featuring:

• Dr Nic Hooper – an expert in clinical psychology and a Lecturer at Cardiff University.
• Polly Harrow – DfE FE Student Support Champion Associate Kirklees College
• Amanda Collyer – student support and wellbeing lead at The Howard of Effingham School.

Coming up in February:

• Assistant Mental Health Lead training: Live online course delivered over Teams 24th February - book here
• Mental Health Conference North: Delivered in Newcastle 2nd March - book here

• AMHIE Conferences: We now have 4 dates for regional conferences starting with North in March 2026, visit https://community.amhie.com/amhie-conferences/ to book your place.
• AMHIE Membership: Our membership offer covers everything your team need to promote DfE and Ofsted compliance for mental health visit for more info: https://amhie.com/our-offer/membership/
• AMHIE Training: Members get a 30% discount on all training bookings using their exclusive code, join us to get your code. https://community.amhie.com/training/

Alerts and Releases January 2026

• In a press release the DfE announced there will be inspections for academy trusts, shifting accountability from individuals schools.
• There is going to be a £200 million investment in SEND training for teachers, but we don't know what it's going to look like yet!
• AI tutoring tools are going to be rolled out as part of an effort to create personalised learning structures for disadvantaged pupils.

Our Blog January 2026

• Hear from guest blogger Nic Hooper, expert in clinical psychology regarding psychological flexibility and it's importance in young people.
• A new DfE report highlights the reality of screen time among pre school children and the challenges and impact that arise from over-use.
• For International Day of Education 2026, we released some insight into co-creation and a small resource pack.
• AMHIE Chair Richard Daniel Curtis put pen to paper and covered 5 things to consider when making reasonable adjustments to mobile phone bans.

Research released January 2026

New data suggests that ‘adolescents who are already struggling emotionally are more likely to increase their screen use.‘

As we close out a busy January, it is clear that 2026 is already becoming a landmark year for the mental health landscape in UK schools. From our successful lobbying for statutory mental health provisions within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to the launch of our new Level 4 Leadership qualifications, our collective voice is finally being heard at the highest levels of policy. We are moving away from reactive "firefighting" and toward a truly proactive Whole School Approach that prioritises both student belonging and staff clinical supervision.

As we look ahead to Children’s Mental Health Week in February, let’s carry this momentum forward—ensuring that every child feels they belong and every educator feels supported. Thank you for your tireless dedication to making mental health the heartbeat of our education system.

If you would like to access AMHIE's resources, training and memberships you can visit the 'our offer' section here. To help you prepare for the upcoming month, here is a snapshot of the Whole School Approach framework we are championing:

• Targeted Support: Utilising the new Bill amendments to secure faster therapeutic interventions.
• Strategic Leadership: Ensuring MH Leads have the time and authority to implement change.
• Staff Wellbeing: Implementing clinical supervision to reduce burnout and secondary trauma.
• Student Voice: Empowering pupils to lead on peer-support initiatives.

It's the end of 2025 and what a year it's been for the sector and for AMHIE, we started our first podcast, we opened a YouTube channel and we support thousands of you with mental health at your educational setting. Here's a round up of our year in numbers...

"As we wrap up 2025, it is clearer than ever that mental health has moved from the sidelines to the very heart of the UK education system. This year marked a turning point with the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which formally wove emotional support into the fabric of daily school life—reminding us all that a child cannot thrive in the classroom if they are struggling in their head. We’ve seen a real push to bridge the "support gap," using data to tackle school avoidance and expanding Mental Health Support Teams to reach more students than ever before.

While the pressure on our schools remains high, there is a powerful sense of hope: for the first time, we are moving toward a "whole-school" culture where wellbeing isn't just an add-on, but the foundation. It’s been a year of long-overdue recognition, and as we look toward 2026, we do so with a stronger, more compassionate community ready to ensure no student has to face their challenges alone."

Lily Blakeledge, AMHIE Marketing and Content creator

December 2025.

• AMHIE Conferences: We now have dates for regional conferences throughout 2026, visit https://community.amhie.com/amhie-conferences/ to book your place.
• AMHIE Membership: Our membership offer covers everything your team need to promote DfE and Ofsted compliance for mental health visit for more info: https://amhie.com/our-offer/membership/
• AMHIE Training: New year, new strategy - have you trained a mental health lead? It's time to get ahead of the curve and book your place for 2026 https://community.amhie.com/training/

Alerts and Releases December 2025

• The DfE announced that the government is investing £3 billion to thousands of new specialist places for children with SEND.
• In a press release on 4th December 2025, the DfE have confirmed that the ‘Best Start Family Hubs will act as one-stop-shop for parents with SEND professional and services to support speech and language development’. 

Our Blog December 2025

• Why Specialist FE Colleges Are the Blueprint for a Whole-College Mental Health Approach
• My reflections on 2025, the challenges and the rewards

As of December 2025, the education landscape is dominated by a major overhaul of the UK national curriculum and a significant legislative push toward student wellbeing and inclusive support.

Here are the main talking points summarised into four key themes:

1. The "Skills for Life" Curriculum Reform

Following the Curriculum and Assessment Review led by Professor Becky Francis, the government has begun laying the groundwork for a modernised curriculum (set for full rollout by 2028). Key discussion points include:

• Critical Literacy: For the first time, primary students are being taught how to spot "fake news" and navigate AI-generated misinformation.
• Oracy & Voice: A new "National Oracy Framework" has been launched, elevating speaking and listening skills to the same status as reading and writing.
• The "V-Level" Introduction: Debate is high around the new vocational V-Levels, designed to provide a prestigious alternative to A-Levels for 16–18-year-olds.
• Digital Exams: Ofqual has launched a major consultation on moving toward on-screen exams by 2030, sparking debate over digital equity for disadvantaged students.

2. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

This landmark legislation is currently moving through Parliament, focusing on "breaking down barriers" to education:

• Free Breakfast Clubs: The national rollout in primary schools is a central talking point, aimed at tackling child poverty and improving morning attendance.
• Home-Schooling Registers: A controversial proposal for a "mandatory register" of children not in school has sparked debate between safeguarding advocates and home-educating parents concerned about family autonomy.
• Unique Child Identifiers: Plans for a single digital ID for every child to help schools, the NHS, and social services share data more effectively to prevent "at-risk" children from slipping through the cracks.

3. Crisis & Investment in SEND

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) remains a "hot-button" issue due to a critical shortage of specialist places.

• The £3bn Investment: In December, a massive funding package was announced to create 50,000 new specialist places, aimed at ending the "postcode lottery" for families seeking support.
• Mainstream Inclusion: A national conversation is underway regarding how mainstream schools can better adapt to support neurodivergent students (ADHD/Autism) as local authorities struggle with the backlog of EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) assessments.

4. AI and "Human-Centric" Skills

Beyond policy, the classroom environment is shifting toward a "post-AI" pedagogy:

• AI as a Teaching Assistant: Discussions have shifted from "should we use AI?" to "how do we use it to reduce teacher workload?" specifically for grading and lesson planning.
• The Rise of "Soft Skills": With AI handling technical tasks, there is a massive push for teaching emotional intelligence (EQ), resilience, and collaborative problem-solving—skills that employers in 2025 are prioritizing over pure academic rote learning.

Would you like to be kept up to date on mental health in education? Consider joining us as a Free Member and never miss a thing, receive free resources and get advice and support on mental health guidance and policy from the DfE and Ofsted.

(Resources you could have accessed this month as a free member: Wellbeing and Culture Toolkit.)

Hello and welcome to our monthly round up of all the news, blogs and information we shared this November 2025. We have been all over the place this month, chatting to our members and sharing our great content. For November 2025 we started a brand new trend of linking our resources to awareness and important sector data and information. We hope you liked the Anti-Bullying Week campaign, but what should we do next? Well watch this space, because for December we will be focusing on a big talking point to help you at your setting.

• AMHIE Conferences: Our early bird tier two tickets are only available until 31st December so if you're thinking of coming book now! https://community.amhie.com/amhie-conferences/
• AMHIE Membership: Our membership offer covers everything your team need to promote DfE and Ofsted compliance for mental health visit for more info: https://amhie.com/our-offer/membership/
• AMHIE Training: Our training offer includes compliance and policy based options for you and your team visit: https://community.amhie.com/training/

Free webinar?

We are teaming up with the team at LLSE to deliver a webinar from AMHIE Chair Richard Daniel Curtis on 9th December 2025 at 4pm.

Integrating Wellbeing Across a Packed Curriculum: "As part of the curriculum we offer young people, we need to be teaching them to be mentally literate and to have the skills to cope with what they face and be resilient to the future. Author of a forthcoming book on the topic, Richard will lead this workshop aimed at thinking more about the natural opportunities across the curriculum to promote mental health and wellbeing."

There will be a recording of this session available afterwards, but to join just sign up here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/n93R0f_lRk6_dYZhvYhHlg#/registration

Alerts and Releases November 2025

• The Department for Education (DfE) has unveiled landmark National Curriculum reforms aiming to equip young people to thrive in the modern world of work and life
• Regional Improvement Teams introduced in new standards push for colleges, which will help to break the link between background and success.
• From this month, every school will be issued with AI-powered minimum attendance improvement targets to ensure children are in school and ready to achieve. 
• Applications are now open for the next wave of 500 schools with 40% of pupils on free school meals to benefit from the programme.
• The Teacher Wellbeing Index was released for 2025, revealing a sector in crisis.
• The DfE published their National Behaviour Survey results, and there was some interesting trends.
  

Our Blog November 2025

• For Stress Awareness Week we covered ideas for adopting  strategic, systemic approaches to wellbeing.
• Harnessing the Power for Good: Your Whole-School Blueprint for Anti-Bullying Week and Beyond.
• The SEND assessment crisis and the Budget 2025 - where is the money coming from?
  

Here is a summary of the major talking points for November 2025:

1. 🎓 Higher Education Funding Crisis & Reform

The financial stability of UK universities has been a major focus, driven by:

• Real-Terms Funding Cuts: Analysis (e.g., from Universities UK) highlighted that per-student teaching funding for domestic undergraduates is significantly lower in real terms than a decade ago, leaving many universities struggling with deficits.
• Tuition Fee Changes: The decision to allow the undergraduate tuition fee cap to rise annually with inflation has been confirmed, providing a limited injection of new revenue. The fee cap for the 2025-2026 academic year is £9,535 and is projected to be around £9,900 in the next year.
• International Student Levy: A new charge on international student fees was announced in the Autumn Budget to fund maintenance grants for low-income domestic students (starting in 2028/29). This move is controversial, with university leaders warning that it will remove more revenue than the inflation-linked fee rise adds, worsening financial pressures.
• Student Support Grants: The new, non-repayable maintenance grants for full-time students from low-income families in certain subjects were confirmed to be introduced from the 2028/29 academic year.

2. 📝 Major National Curriculum Reform (K-12)

The government published plans for a comprehensive update to the National Curriculum, responding to a major review. Key reforms include:

• Modernising Core Skills: A strengthened focus on Oracy (speaking and listening) through a new framework, along with a new statutory reading test in Year 8 and improved writing assessment in Year 6.
• Future-Facing Subjects: Introducing new or stronger content in:
  • Digital/Media Literacy: Teaching primary pupils how to spot fake news and disinformation.
  • Data Science & AI: Exploring a new qualification in data science and AI for 16–18-year-olds, and a broader Computing GCSE to replace the narrowly focused Computer Science GCSE.
  • Climate & Nature Education: Embedding environmental sustainability across the curriculum.
• Core Enrichment Entitlement: A new statutory entitlement to extra-curricular activities for every child, covering areas like sport, arts, civic engagement, and nature.

3. 🚨 SEND Funding & Accountability Overhaul

The contentious and rising cost of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision was a major topic in the Autumn Budget:

• Central Government Responsibility: The government announced it will take over full financial responsibility for SEND spending from local councils, starting in April 2028.
• Financial 'Timebomb': This move came alongside warnings from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that the accumulated council SEND deficits could reach £14 billion by 2028, sparking debate over how the shortfall will be absorbed and if it will ultimately impact mainstream school budgets.
• Reform Focus: The impending Schools White Paper (due early next year) is expected to detail reforms aimed at improving outcomes, promoting earlier intervention, and ensuring mainstream schools are better resourced to meet 'common and predictable' needs.

4. 📉 Teacher Recruitment, Retention & Wellbeing

The ongoing crisis in staffing remains a critical concern, with new data underscoring the severity:

• High Attrition: Data showed that the UK has one of the worst teacher retention rates among developed nations, with over 90% of leavers quitting for reasons other than retirement.
• Plunging Wellbeing: The annual Teacher Wellbeing Index reported that education staff wellbeing scores have dropped to the lowest levels since 2019, with high percentages reporting work-related stress and symptoms of poor mental health.
• Workforce Reductions: Falling pupil numbers in the primary phase, particularly in certain regions, have led to many primary headteachers anticipating staff reductions, while secondary school recruitment activity has also slowed down.

Would you like to be kept up to date on mental health in education? Consider joining us as a Free Member and never miss a thing, receive free resources and get advice and support on mental health guidance and policy from the DfE and Ofsted.

(Resources you could have accessed this month as a free member: Anti-Bullying Toolkit and Wellbeing and Culture Toolkit.)

Hello and welcome to our monthly round up of all the news, blogs and information we shared this October. We had hoped to be talking about the upcoming SEND White Paper but alas, it has now been delayed until the New Year, but don't worry we will continue to update you on developments as and when they occur. So what's happened in October? Well...The key themes for October 2025 centre on early intervention access, the impact of school behaviour policies, and the ongoing strategy for systemic support.

• AMHIE Conferences: Our refreshed AMHIE conferences have released the dates for 2026 and come up with a super early bird offer. It's your absolute last chance before the price goes up to grab your tickets at 80% off: https://community.amhie.com/amhie-conferences/
• AMHIE Membership: Our membership offer to schools includes a variety of compliance-based training covering the most recent sector guidance and policy from the DfE. For more information on our offer visit: https://amhie.com/our-offer/membership/
• AMHIE Training: We have expanded our training offer to include even more compliance and policy based options for you and your team visit: https://community.amhie.com/training/

Webinars for only £10

Do you enjoy listening to the SENDcast? Do you wish there was a more formal way to access training? Do you want training that goes into more depth with the visuals to help you understand the area being covered? Would you like training you can share easily with the rest of the school? Then SENDcast Sessions is what you are looking for!

Time and budgets are being squeezed even tighter, which is why we’ve made each 1 hour session just £10! Join our AMHIE Chair for his SENDCast webinars covering SEMH and Mental Health in the Classroom, just visit: https://thesendcast.com/sendcast-sessions/

Coming in November:

Alerts and Releases October 2025

• Bridget Phillipson confirms that all pupils will sit a mandatory reading test at age 13 to drive up reading standards: https://amhie.com/all-pupils-to-sit-a-mandatory-reading-test/
• Mind have released their 2025 ‘Big Mental Health Report’ – so what’s changed? https://amhie.com/minds-big-mental-health-report-2025/
• We summarise all of the new initiatives being bought forward in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper: https://amhie.com/post-16-education-skills-white-paper/
  

Our Blog October 2025

• This year, World Teachers’ Day celebrations will centre on the theme “Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession” https://amhie.com/world-teachers-day-2025/
• 10th October 2025 is World Mental Health Day and the theme is “Access to services: mental health in catastrophes and emergencies” https://amhie.com/world-mental-health-day-2025/
• ADHD Awareness Month Feature: Beyond the Buzzword: Navigating the True Pressures of ADHD in UK Classrooms https://amhie.com/adhd-awareness-month-2025/

New research October 2025

• A new study published this week links social media use with lowered cognitive function https://amhie.com/social-media-use-links-to-lowered-cognitive-performance/
• A new report from the Sutton Trust examines the socio-economic inequalities within the SEND system in England https://amhie.com/a-new-send-report-from-the-sutton-trust/
• School isolation rooms are damaging pupil wellbeing, new study warns: https://amhie.com/isolation-rooms-damaging-wellbeing/

Here is a summary of the major talking points for October 2025:

1. Call to Action: Early Intervention and Waiting Lists

• Mind's "Care before Crisis" Report: The charity Mind published a significant report this month calling for an urgent expansion of early intervention mental health hubs.
  • Key Concern: The report highlights that over half a million young people are currently on an NHS waiting list for support.
  • The Ask: They are urging the government to scale up the existing network of Young Futures hubs to ensure one is available in every local authority area, emphasizing that these hubs provide accessible, non-referral-based support.

2. Behaviour, Exclusion, and Wellbeing Link

• Isolation Room Study: Research from the University of Manchester's #BeeWell programme brought concerning data on school behaviour practices to the forefront this month.
  • Key Finding: The study found that one in twelve secondary pupils report being placed in school isolation rooms (internal exclusion) at least once a week, often missing over eight hours of lessons.
  • Mental Health Impact: Pupils placed in isolation reported poorer relationships with teachers and lower levels of mental wellbeing, disproportionately affecting those with SEND, those on Free School Meals, and LGBTQ+ students. This data directly links punitive behaviour practices to negative student mental health outcomes.

3. Ongoing Strategy and Delivery Updates

• Mental Health Support Team (MHST) Rollout: There is continued focus on the delivery of the government's "Plan for Change." It was highlighted that the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) is progressing, aiming to provide early intervention to pupils with mild to moderate needs in a larger proportion of schools.
• Designated Leads and Whole School Approach: The strategy continues to push for a designated Mental Health Lead in every school and college by 2025, a role intended to oversee and embed a "whole school approach" to wellbeing.

4. Contextual Overlaps (ADHD Awareness Month)

• ADHD Awareness: As October is ADHD Awareness Month, your specific area of focus—the barriers facing children with ADHD—is timely. The discussions around behaviour, the pressure on teachers, and the need for targeted training (as detailed in your evidence) align closely with the wider systemic calls for better early intervention and less punitive behaviour policies.
• World Mental Health Day (October 10th): This day served as a focal point for awareness, with the theme often linking to the impact of global crises and the need for accessible care, which reflects the wider context of stress on young people.

In summary, October 2025 has been marked by charities demanding immediate action on waiting lists, new research critiquing exclusionary behaviour policies, and the ongoing monitoring of the government's MHST and whole-school wellbeing strategy.

Free Resources available in October:

Hello and welcome to our brand new look for the new academic year, we are so excited to be sharing lots of news with you all this month and what a month it's been! Let's hit the ground running and dive right in with what's new for AMHIE this academic year:

• AMHIE on Air: Our new podcast delves into the most recent and influential happenings within the education sector, how this effects you and how you might combat barriers and find solutions. Once a half term, we'll get our members, professionals and experts behind the mic for a round table chat. For more information visit: https://amhie.com/our-new-podcast-amhie-on-air/
• AMHIE Membership: Our membership offer to schools has changed to reflect your needs, we now include a variety of compliance-based training helping you and the team to conform to the most recent sector guidance and policy from the DfE. For more information on our offer visit: https://amhie.com/our-offer/membership/
• AMHIE Training: We have expanded our training offer to include even more compliance and policy based options for you and your team visit: https://community.amhie.com/training/

Getting involved:

We are saddened to see the departure of Symon Dewsbury from our National Steering group; Symon has been an avid supporter of AMHIE for several years now, helping us to develop and steer the picture to best represent schools. But it's not all sad news - Congratulations on your new posting Symon, we wish you every success for the future. This does now mean that we are looking for more National Steering Group members, could you commit to 3 meetings a year and help us develop AMHIE? Visit our page to find out about our Steering Group and how they help: https://amhie.com/our-story/national-steering-group/

Coming in October:

2nd October 2025 - CPD modules Implementing a Mental Health Strategy and Action Planning

https://community.amhie.com/training/mental-health-lead-cpd-sessions/

13th October - Assistant Mental Health Lead training

https://community.amhie.com/assistant-mental-health-lead-courses/

The wait is nearly over for our first working party update, with our first meeting taking place very soon!

Alerts and Releases September 2025

• High Caffeine energy drinks have been banned: Plans set out this September will help boost kids’ health by stopping retailers from selling the drinks to children in a move that could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and deliver health benefits worth tens of millions of pounds.
• Crackdown on bad behaviour and attendance: Bridget Phillipson starts the new school year by calling time on bad behaviour as shocking new data shows seven out of every 30 classroom minutes are lost to kids kicking off.
• The Children's Plan released from the Children's Commissioner: The report gives 5 alarming concerns painting a picture of overwhelmed services, high referrals and long waiting times. We think that this report will be used to create and shape the new 'white paper' expected this term with regards to SEND provision and funding.
• School improvements teams drive up standards for all children: Nearly 100,000 more pupils set to benefit from targeted support through expanded school improvement teams, driving up standards where it’s needed most.
• Ofsted releases information and guidance on the new reforms set to go live from November 2025: Widely criticised, Ofsted's new reforms include a new inspection report card, 4 point grading scale and a wider range of evaluation areas.
• New report on rising mental health and neurodiversity released: The new report released by The Policy Exchange entitled “Out of Control: Addressing the Rise in Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorders amongst Children and Young People,” identifies how poor incentives have driven overdiagnosis of mental ill health and neurodivergence in young people, stretching key public services to breaking point.

Our Blog September 2025

• Mobile phones in schools - how should you handle it? We discuss the nuances of mobile phone use - https://amhie.com/mobile-phones-in-schools/
• Navigating AI in school - A new guest blog from the Good Future Foundation focuses on their work helping schools navigate AI in a way that is both practical and, most importantly, responsible.
• Behaviour Awareness Week 2025 - We discuss different common classroom behavioural tropes and methods to monitor and improve outcomes for these students https://amhie.com/behaviour-awareness-week-2025/

New research September 2025

A new study has revealed a link between adult mental health and verbal abuse in childhood - https://amhie.com/new-research-how-verbal-abuse-effects-mental-wellbeing/: A key finding highlights that both physical and verbal abuse independently contribute to lower mental well-being in adulthood, with combined exposure having a compounded negative effect, suggesting verbal abuse warrants similar attention to physical abuse in prevention efforts.

Free Resources available in September:

We're back from the summer break to catch you up on anything you might have missed throughout the August 2025 holiday. As always our team are available to help you with any queries you may have on support@amhie.com

AMHIE August 2025 News:

Updated Resources!

We have been working hard all summer to present you with a whole host of new resources with hints and tips on our community portal covering the DfE's 8 principles for mentally healthy schools. Unique to AMHIE, our resources are evidence based with links to the very latest reports and research into mental health. For our done-for-you members, simply log into the community portal to get started! If you would like to upgrade your membership at any time from free to done-for-you our central team can help with this, just contact us on support@amhie.com

Training dates in the new academic year

Don’t forget that as a member of AMHIE you will get a discount of up to 30% off of any training booking. Our comprehensive, evidence-informed training directly addresses your core challenges.

We will be adding even more courses to our library this academic year to support you in your role covering guidance and compliance in mental health support in schools. Keep an eye on our community portal for updates on new training opportunities!

AMHIE's Podcast

New for this academic year, we will be gathering our members, the National Steering group and Professionals from within the sector to talk about the latest news, guidance and policy updates for mental health in education and it's impact on schools. Look out for details of the first episode due for release on 15th September later this week!

Our members survey

It's that time of year again where we ask you all to take a few minutes out of your day (we promise it is only a few minutes!) to give us some feedback on our offer. In case you missed the email please follow the link below to complete our AMHIE members survey:

By completing this survey, it gives us the chance to make our offer better for you - our members! So don't miss out and have your say today!

Blogs/Advice/Guidance:

Update: Keeping Children Safe in Education

Just a quick reminder that the changes to the KCSIE come into effect this academic year:

Mental Health and Personal Safety

Read our guest blog from Streetwise 365 owner and trainer, Andy Privett - Mental Health & Personal Safety: A Holistic Approach for Young People

Your 'Plan for change' in 2025/26

We talk you through the Governments 'Plan for Change' and how this will impact schools and mental health in the new academic year in our blog feature.

Let’s Begin Again: From Burnout to Boundaries with Horses by My Side

Read our featured guest blog from AMHIE partner Maxine Smith of the Boundaried Horse. A former educator, Maxine describes her own mental health journey and the ways in which she overcame adversity in the sector. https://amhie.com/burnout-to-boundaries/

Press releases/Sector News:

DfE Press release: Record attendance gains unlock over £2bn in future earnings

“School attendance in England has surged, with 5 million more days in classrooms and 140,000 fewer persistently absent pupils”
https://amhie.com/school-attendance-in-england-has-surged/

DFE Press release: Working parents set to save £7,500 a year as government will cover 30 hours of childcare next month, setting kids up to achieve more in school.
This big push to support families and children begins with two major initiatives. The first is a significant expansion of government-funded early education, which provides 30 hours of free childcare per week for children as young as nine months. https://amhie.com/parents-get-support-for-cost-of-living/

Reports/Research:

New report: The impact of a shorter working week

The Mental Health Foundation reports the impact of a shorter working week on their team. https://amhie.com/shorter-working-week-impact/

PBE’s new report reveals the link between GCSE results and mental health.

A new report released by the charity PBE critically examines the link between academic attainment and mental health following the release of this year’s GCSE results. https://amhie.com/statutory-mental-health-role/

Thank you for reading our August 2025 Newsletter, as always we exist to support you, so feel free to contact our team on support@amhie.com or on the helpline 02381 120010 if you have any questions.

Don’t forget you can upgrade your membership at any time to access training discounts, resources, free training, done-for-you-toolkits and more, just contact our team. Membership prices have been frozen for 2025, to help you and your team get access to the everything that we offer so don’t hold back – get more support and help for the upcoming academic year with one of our full membership packages starting at just £69+VAT for individual membership.

Take care

Lily Blakeledge

The Team at AMHIE.

It’s the summer holidays! And I know a lot of you won’t read this until after the break but we are still open, we are still working and we will be here all summer in case you need anything so please get in touch on support@amhie.com

AMHIE July 2025 News:

Update: Peer Support Networks

Among 5 recommended organisations listed, The Association of Mental Health in Education is delighted but this acknowledgement of our offer and how we support schools and colleges across the UK. https://amhie.com/dfe-guidance-update-peer-support-networks/

Training dates in the new academic year

Don’t forget that as a member of AMHIE you will get a discount of up to 30% off of any training booking. Our comprehensive, evidence-informed training directly addresses your core challenges. This is what some of learners have said about our training:

“One of the most significant outcomes of this training has been the heightened awareness of mental health issues throughout our school.”

“Mental health is the cornerstone of a thriving school community, and this course equips you to be a guiding light in that endeavour“

Webinars

Would you like to watch our webinars? Well now you can, for just £15+VAT each, covering a range of useful subjects to help you in your role – find out more https://community.amhie.com/webinars/

Members forum

Watch out for the email I sent you all regarding the members forum, I have set this up via Facebook but if you don’t want to join there please pop us an email to let us know – support@amhie.com

Blogs/Advice/Guidance:

Update: Keeping Children Safe in Education

We talk you through the guidance updates for 2025 https://amhie.com/guidance-update-keeping-children-safe/

The 7 types of rest: Wellbeing for Education Professionals

There are seven types of rest, all essential to recharge fully. Claire Cannon;s blog talks you through how you can utilise the 7 rest types. https://amhie.com/7-types-of-rest-for-educators/

Relationships, Sex and Health Education

Government publishes final statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance for schools. https://amhie.com/updated-relationships-sex-and-health-guidance/

Press releases/Sector News:

Up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs to be rolled out 

The rollout of ‘Best Start Family Hubs’ across every local authority in England, while primarily aimed at supporting parents and young children, is poised to have a significant positive impact on mental health within schools. https://amhie.com/1000-best-start-family-hubs/

Landmark strategy to improve early years and family services

The recently unveiled “Best Start in Life” strategy, promising a significant overhaul of early childhood support services, holds immense potential to positively impact mental health in education across England. https://amhie.com/strategy-to-improve-early-years-and-family-services/

Ofsted’s renewed framework sets out new measures to ensure a steady and assured start to inspections

Ofsted has today announced several measures to reassure education providers about the November roll-out of inspections under the renewed inspection framework. https://amhie.com/ofsted-sets-out-measures-under-the-renewed-framework/

Reports/Research:

Enhancing referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

The EN-CAMHS study sheds critical light on the persistent challenges within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) referrals. https://amhie.com/research-camhs-referrals/

Understanding the drivers of recent trends in young people’s mental health

A new report from The Youth Futures foundation highlights some key drivers in young people’s mental health https://amhie.com/key-drivers-young-peoples-mental-health/

Ofsted Annual Report: changes and trends

The Ofsted annual report has been released, so lets summarise the key changes and trends in the data for the 2024/25 school year. https://amhie.com/ofsted-annual-report-changes-and-trends/

Thank you for reading our July 2025 Newsletter, as always we exist to support you, so feel free to contact our team on support@amhie.com or on the helpline 02381 120010 if you have any questions.

Don’t forget you can upgrade your membership at any time to access training discounts, resources, free training, done-for-you-toolkits and more, just contact our team. Membership prices have been frozen for 2025, to help you and your team get access to the everything that we offer so don’t hold back – get more support and help for the upcoming academic year with one of our full membership packages starting at just £69+VAT for individual membership.

Take care

Lily Blakeledge

The Team at AMHIE.

31st July 2025