Developing a School Policy

The National Administration Guidelines require all Boards of Trustees to:

5.1 i. Provide a safe physical and emotional environment for students.

5.2 ii. Comply in full with any legislation currently in force or that may be developed to ensure the safety of students and employees.

School environments which support positive mental health are therefore required.

We recommend that schools develop procedures and resources which address the needs of students who are experiencing change and transition. Such procedures may include:

• Offering peer support programmes for inducting Year 9 and other new students into the secondary school setting
• Acknowledging the role of the school counsellor and other guidance staff involved in student welfare
• Providing safe learning environments, eg safe supportive classrooms, for students
• Consulting with and involving members of the community in the development of health education programmes
• Implementing health education programmes by trained health education teachers.

In this way, students may see the school as being supportive of their learning needs and their personal development.