Wellbeing

At Portsmouth SCITT, wellbeing is one of our ‘threaded principles’ which runs throughout our course. This starts from the recruitment stages and is a constant conversation with consistent tracking to ensure the positive mental health and wellbeing of our trainees. We believe that a strong focus on wellbeing is important in order to prepare trainees for the rigor and realities of the classroom.

The following are just a few of the ways we ensure we are supporting the wellbeing of our trainees;

• Staff are constantly on call to support any trainee during the course (and beyond).
• A leaflet has been produced with services signposted in order to support trainees with cost of living.
• Practical support in terms of cost of living is also provided in the centre.
• Explicit sessions are delivered on Resilience and Wellbeing.
• Mentors regularly check on trainee wellbeing.
• Link tutors complete a wellbeing check with trainees at all meetings.
• Pedagogy Journals give an insight into trainee mental health and wellbeing and are monitored on a weekly basis by course co-ordinator.
• Wellbeing suggestions for both home and school are added to the weekly training plans every term.

We also prioritise the wellbeing of all other Portsmouth SCITT stakeholders too. For example;

• the SCITT Lead is trained in supervision and holds weekly supervision/wellbeing check-ins for mentors as well as trainees during all school-based blocks.
• Our Course-coordinator is trained in Mental Health First Aid and is able to provide appropriate support to both mentors and trainees.
• Our half-termly newsletter to schools has a focused section on wellbeing with suggested tips and support signposted. This is intended for school staff to access as well as all trainees.