Working with Parents & Carers with Mental Health Difficulties

Course introduction

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 68% of women and 57% of men with a mental disorder are parents.

When parents have mental health issues, children/young people often carry great burdens which can affect their own mental health and achievement. Parental engagement can have a hugely positive effect on a child/young person’s engagement. However, some mental health problems may inhibit a parent’s ability to meet the needs of their child as well as engage with school/college and attend meetings at school/college.

What we will cover throughout the day

• Understand the impact of parental mental health on parenting;

• Identify children/young people who have a parent with a mental illness and understand their specific needs;

• Know how to help children/young people exposed to parental mental health issues to recover from trauma and develop resilience;

• Learn how to support children/young people living with a parent with a mental illness;

• Look at ways to challenge stigma, build compassion, develop understanding and empathy;

• Reflect on the challenges facing children/young people who have a parent with a mental illness;

• Discuss a step-by-step approach to help structure sensitive conversations with parents;

• Implement strategies to help support parents with routines, set boundaries and keep their child safe;

• Help link parents to support groups rather than use their children as a source of comfort and solace;

• Understand the importance of multiagency involvement;

• Look at other provisions schools/colleges can offer to help support parents with mental health concerns.

Target audience

Aimed at anyone who works directly or indirectly with parents and students. Ideal for school-based staff including head teachers, deputy headteacher, teachers, family support worker, designated safeguarding lead, education welfare officer, pastoral support, supervisor, SENCO/ALNCO, special education teacher, school support staff, mental health lead, pastoral lead teacher, local authority staff and multidisciplinary teams.

Trainers for this course

Kelly Hannaghan

Kelly puts wellbeing at the heart of education. She is an award-winning motivational speaker and school improvement advisor, published author and founder of ‘Family Matters’ empower...ment programme.

Kelly has worked systemically with some of the most challenging communities, helping families thrive in difficult circumstances. She advises in the development of staff wellbeing to improve teacher retention and embeds purposeful strategies to support School Leader’s emotional health. Kelly is an advocate for Senior Mental Health Leads and helps drive school development processes forward, whilst creating outstanding outcomes and awards for many organisations. She is a trailblazer within the Wellbeing Lead Network for supporting pastoral teams. Her work is recognised by the DfE, NCB, The Anna Freud Centre and The Education Support Partnership as a lead influencer of mental health and wellbeing in education.

Kelly is currently leading on the DFE Wellbeing for Education Return Programme within Kent County Council.Read more

See what others have to say about us

“Excellent day, first class delivery, to help support my role in working with parents with mental health and wellbeing concerns. Would highly recommend.”

“Just what I was looking for. Effective tools to help support parents as well as support my students with regard to mental health issues. The course covered so much and I now feel far more confident having sensitive conversation with some of my parents.”

“Such a wealth of information, tools, ideas and resources to take away and implement how we choose to best make a difference to our children and families.”

About the venue

Stay at home, get comfortable and enjoy our live interactive course via Zoom! You’ll receive the link a few days before the course date so you can get prepared (and excited) ahead of time.

Handy course logistics

• The course will run via Zoom from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, however, the trainer will be available 15 minutes before and after the course times to answer any questions.
• You’ll receive mid-morning, lunch and afternoon breaks to re-energise.
• This course is designed to be interactive and inclusive. We welcome questions and discussions throughout and we want you to be comfortable and stress-free no matter where you join us from!
• Your course pack includes handouts, an M&S voucher for food, a snack, a pen and a notepad – we’ll send this to you before the day. Please note this is only for UK-based participants, international attendees will receive the pack via email.
• Additional links and information will be emailed to you before and during the course.
• This course is also available as an in-house / INSET training session at your school. Contact us for details.
• Please note – the cost is per person.