Six schools have been awarded Compassionate Schools status by the Lancashire Emotional Health in Schools Service (LEHSS).

LEHSS aims to raise awareness of children’s mental health problems and to help staff provide more support to pupils who are experiencing difficulties with stress, mood or emotions.

Commissioned and funded with £64,000 by the Lancashire County Council Public Health Team, the training is delivered by Lancaster University clinical psychologists. The service delivers workshops to pupils and parents to help them better understand mental health and how to improve well-being.

The award ceremony at Lancaster House Hotel was attended by teachers from schools and colleges in addition to staff from Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University.

This year six schools were presented with the Compassionate Award which recognises their exceptional commitment to implementing a whole-setting approach to emotional health and wellbeing.

The schools included: Burnley Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Foulridge Saint Michael and All Angels Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School; Lathom High School ; Oswaldtwistle St Paul's Church of England Primary School; Ribblesdale School and St Anne's Church of England Primary School.

There was also a celebration of 76 Compassionate Champions—a group of dedicated individuals who undertook a range of evidence-based training to deepen their understanding of emotional health, strengthening their ability to make a positive difference to the wellbeing of their students and colleagues.

Dr Richard Slinger, LEHSS Service Lead: "This has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible achievements of our educators across Lancashire. Every award tells a story of compassion, determination and inspiration. We are immensely proud of everyone recognised today and their contribution to embedding whole-setting approaches to emotional health and mental wellbeing."

In the past five years, LEHSS has worked with more than 500 schools, delivering 500 trainng sessions to more than 10,000 people. 90 per cent of attendees said they were more likely to try to support children’s mental health as a result.

One unnamed teacher said: All staff are now more comfortable talking about mental health and feel more able to deal with students as they have a better understanding of the reasons for their behaviour."

Another said; “It has helped us have the confidence to provide appropriate support where needed, and the ability to listen and communicate with them. This has a positive impact on the children I work with."