Children’s and Young People’s Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

Children and young people may experience a range of mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, depression, self-harm, difficulties with emotional regulation and fears or phobias.

This evidence-informed course develops practitioners’ confidence in recognising and responding to emerging concerns. It considers children’s behaviour and communication within the context of their development, relationships, family circumstances and wider lived experience.

Participants will explore factors that can influence mental health emphasising the needs of relationship-based and whole-family support, reflecting the ambitions of Best Start Family Hubs and integrated Family Help.

The training provides practical strategies for listening, responding and supporting emotional regulation while maintaining clear professional boundaries. Participants will also consider when concerns require specialist support, safeguarding action or an urgent response.

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By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand mental health and emotional wellbeing within the context of child and adolescent development.
• Recognise common mental health concerns and how they may present differently in children and young people.
• Identify changes in behaviour, communication, relationships or functioning that may indicate emerging difficulties.
• Explore how trauma, relationships, family circumstances and wider social and environmental factors can affect wellbeing.
• Understand the importance of trusted relationships, connection and co-regulation.
• Listen and respond to children and young people in a sensitive, developmentally appropriate way.
• Use practical strengths-based and trauma-informed strategies to support emotional wellbeing.
• Recognise the limits of their role and when additional, specialist or urgent support is required.
• Work collaboratively with parents, carers, family networks and partner agencies.
• Understand the importance of information-sharing, recording, safeguarding and local referral pathways.
• Challenge stigma, discrimination and unhelpful assumptions about mental health.

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This course is suitable for practitioners and managers working with children, young people and families across Family Help, Early Help, Best Start Family Hubs, education, health, children’s social care, youth services and voluntary or community organisations.