The role of Designated Mental Health Lead was first set out in the government's 2017 Green Paper Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision. Since then, ministers have pledged to offer training for a DMHL in every school by 2025. The DMHL will oversee a school's mental health support work and help staff to spot the signs of mental health problems among other duties. So what does the job spec of an effective DMHL look like in the secondary school?

In this workshop, Clare Erasmus will outline the key principles of best practice for the secondary DMHL, their key skills and attributes, how they must work with staff, school leaders, pupils and families, and the common challenges faced in the role. The workshop will offer schools a practical checklist to help them plan, implement and evaluate their DMHL role.
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    Clare Erasmus
    DMHL Advisor, Brighton Hill Community School, Hampshire
    Clare Erasmus is currently the Designated Mental Health Lead Advisor & Head of the Digital Technology & Communication Faculty at Brighton Hill Community School. Clare has worked with a range of mental health experts from clinicians to NHS and CAMHS representatives, often sitting as an advisor on behalf of schools.

    She has given keynotes at many national mental health conferences and is regularly invited to deliver lectures to university students. Clare has collaborated with staff, students and mental health and Tech experts to help create an award winning, bespoke Mental Health and Wellbeing App for her school , with PSHE styled podcasts, called BHCS My World.