South & City College Birmingham recognises that it has a responsibility to proactively support students and staff, which is why it has signed up to the Association of College’s (AoC) Mental Health Charter.
The charter, created by AoC in partnership with college leaders and senior mental health leads, is an updated version of the original published five years ago.
The original eleven principles remain but are now embedded across four themes that make up the new Mental Health Charter framework, underpinned by the following good practice principles and standards:
1. Leadership and ethos: Through authentic leadership, model and champion an inclusive culture that meets the needs of the college community. Embed a consistent and co-ordinated whole-college approach to mental health through effective governance and leadership, that ensures wellbeing permeates all aspects of college life.
2. Support for students: Foster a physically and psychologically safe and welcoming environment that promotes wellbeing and proactively supports students’ mental health throughout their learning journey.
3. Workplace wellbeing: Nurture a culture that supports and invests in people and their wellbeing and create an exceptional working environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and can thrive.
4. Evidence and impact: Deliver and develop services, policies and strategies which are responsive to research and evidence of lived experience and community need. Provide transparent accountability through consistent and effective mechanisms, regular evaluation and reporting, and ensure there is a partnership approach to college activity.
Claire Brooks, Senior Executive Director – Student Engagement & Workforce Development at the College said:
“Creating a healthy environment to work and study is a key theme of our College values, it enables our students and staff to achieve their full potential. We recognise that mental health is a serious concern, which is why we are proud to partner with the Association of Colleges in support of this charter, to address mental health issues and build resilience across our College community.”
Claire Brooks, Senior Executive Director – Student Engagement & Workforce Development
Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said:
“I am delighted to see that the Association of Colleges has launched this vital new charter, and I want to thank everyone in our brilliant further education sector for their work to safeguard the mental health and wellbeing of staff and students.
“Mental health in education is now taken incredibly seriously across the board, and this new charter builds on the support we have offered to colleges, schools and universities to appoint mental health leads, provide funding where it’s needed and change the conversation on mental health.”
Robert Halfron – Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education