Fiducia TogetherSchool's duty to promote wellbeing
Schools must promote pupils' wellbeing, and what that means in practice.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
Schools have duties to promote pupils' wellbeing and to have regard to statutory guidance on mental health and behaviour, including identifying need early and working with specialist services.
Where it applies
All schools.
How it works
Guidance expects a whole-school approach: a senior mental health lead, staff who can identify concerns, and clear routes to support inside and outside school.\n\nMental health support teams operate in many areas, based in or linked to schools.
What you can ask for
Ask who the senior mental health lead is and what is available in school before any external referral.
Ask about a mental health support team if one covers your area — the waits are usually far shorter than CAMHS.
Ask how the school adjusts expectations while a pupil is unwell. Adjustment is the practical question and it is rarely offered unprompted.
Where to get help
SENDIASS for free local advice, IPSEA and Contact nationally, and your school's own policy.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.