Mental Health and Pastoral Leads
HertsHub Website
HertsHub is the new website for children and young people's mental 
health in Hertfordshire., where Parents and professionals can find out more about the support services available.
Mental Health Leads
Although not statutory, every Hertfordshire school is asked to nominate a Mental Health Lead (MHL) and where possible a Deputy Lead (DMHL), who will be a key point of contact for emotional wellbeing/ mental health in the school, and a key link with external provision/whole school models.
Free training for MH leads is available from the EMWiE team, which is designed to give an overview of information and services to support Leads in their role. More information can be found on HertsHub.
For the latest training dates and to book a place, Leads should emailschoolsMH@hertfordshire.gov.uk. Places are limited to 2 per school.
Primary and Secondary MHL and pastoral networks
These networks provide useful opportunities to hear updates from local services, with a variety of guest speakers. The primary network meet online and the secondary network meets face to face at Townsend school.
Primary Network
These online termly meetings provide key updates on
mental health and emotional wellbeing services for children and young people, parents and staff; system updates; relevant Public Health information, and an opportunity to communicate and work together with other education settings in your area.
To register your attendance, please email dee.debruin1@hertfordshire.gov.uk or yasmine.fellah@hertfordshire.gov.uk with your school name and DSPL area.
Meeting dates
| Summer 26 | Autumn 26 | Spring 27 | Summer 27 | Time and Location |
| Thurs 11th June | Wed 4th Nov | Tues 9th March | Thurs 10th June | Online 1.30-3.00pm |
Resources
Secondary Network
The secondary pastoral network meets termly in Townsend school and provides updates from a wide range of services and Public Health information. The network is organised by Isabelle Stuckey at Townsend. Please email istuckey121@townsend.herts.sch.uk to confirm attendance.
Meeting dates
| Summer 26 | Autumn 26 | Spring 27 | Summer 27 | Time and Location |
| Wed 10th June | Nov TBC | March TBC | June TBC |
Townsend school 4.00-5.15pm |
Resources
Emotional Mental Health Wellbeing schools mark
The Emotional Mental Wellbeing in Schools Mark guides
education settings through a self-review process of their mental health and emotional wellbeing offer to help identify strengths and areas for improvement. The Schools Mark has replaced the previous 'Healthy Young Minds in Herts' Kitemark award and is free for schools to complete.
On submission of their self-review document schools will be visited by an assessor. During the two-hour visit, the assessor will explore evidence and impact which supports the setting’s own findings. This information will contribute to an overall score and culminate with a rating being awarded to the setting.
The Emotional Mental Wellbeing in Schools Mark is designed to be used as a continuous improvement development tool, meaning that it is not a case of pass or fail. After two years, settings have the option to repeat the process, reflecting on the improvement journey they have undergone, and update their whole school Mental Health Action Plan to align with new ambitions going forward.
Settings interested in starting the process should contact schoolsmh@hertfordshire.gov.uk for further information and documentation.
Wellbeing Mark Showcase - November 2025
In November 2025, a number of schools were invited to showcase the work they were doing in schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of pupils. The presenters provided many wonderful, courageous and insightful ways that the Whole School Approach can be implemented in settings, and inspired schools to consider what they could do differently.
Schools who were unable to join can watch the recording to the meeting which is hosted on YouTube here, with the slides used by presenters available below.
Resources for Schools
Anna Freud Centre - Mental Health Resource Hub
This resource hub has been created in partnership with and funded by the Department for Education, with new resources added regularly.
https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/whole-school-or-college-resources/
