Somerset Wellbeing Framework Pupil Participation Toolkit
Designed by young people
‘It is paramount that students understand their wellbeing is just as important as their grades. The lockdowns had a negative effect on so many people’s mental health…. we need increased support and awareness"
This was small scale project looking at pupil participation in school & college settings and in respect of the Somerset Wellbeing Framework. The student voice group provided a key insight into some of the main challenges and priorities facing students regarding mental health and pupil participation. You can hear their voice in this video below
This toolkit has been designed to help ensure student voice is at the heart of the Somerset Wellbeing Framework Principle of Pupil Participation
You can download and display this poster to share with staff in your setting HERE
This toolkit supports pupil participation to be embedded within the settings whole school or college approach and Wellbeing Action Group
‘Students need listeners for anything they need to speak about. My tutor was not especially trained for mental health topics, but was always available and empathetically listened to everything I had to say’ Student Voice Group member
Read the Key findings from the Young Person's Wellbeing Champion project report and the Young Persons Wellbeing Champion project background
Staff information:
Mapping the pupil participation principle
- This document shares guidance from the student voice group, recomendations for actions and maps this to the statements within this principle of the Somerset Wellbeing Framework Audit Tool. Mapping Principle
- This document considers pupil participation in relation to the Somerset Wellbeing Framework within a further education setting. Mapping Principle- Further Education
Recruiting Young Peoples Wellbeing Champions
- This document offers suggestions and guidance for settings wishing to recruit young people's wellbeing champions. Ensuring that student voice is at the heart of wellbeing in their settings.
“Student leadership positions/school council should regularly meet, and students should always choose the agenda, because students know best what issues they are facing.”
Student Resources:
Writing a survey
- Guidance for young people on developing a survey for peers - Guidance for writing a survey for children and young people
Objective planning
- Young People’s prompt sheet for developing objective planning for pupil participation within their setting - Guidance sheet for young people’s champions,objective planning
Running a meeting
- This document offers guidance, suggestions and advice for young people in running and delivering meetings - Guidance for young people running a meeting
Students are eager for opportunities to share their ideas for improving students’ wellbeing and throughout this project, young people’s passion and care has shone through.
Many schools demonstrate interest in empowering student voice, and now is the time to put trust into young people giving them the time, space, and attention to share their views and voices.
We'd like to give our thanks to the Student Wellbeing Project worker, the student voice group, young people who responded to the surveys, schools who supported and shared their input for this project, SCC engagement and participation team, Somerset Safeguarding Childrens Partnership and members of the project steering group for their valued contributions, dedication and support to this project.
