ABSTRACT
For any setting to truly have a positive effect on the mental health and well-being of its staff and pupils, it has to include the school leadership team (SLT). It has to be embedded in the ethos of the setting and embraced by all. SLT members have to be open to improving their emotional literacy and understanding, open to knowing all the scientific background of brain development and trauma and open to knowing why all behaviour is communication. They must know why staff mental health and well-being is a priority and they must look at the systems in place in the setting and how they manage staff to ensure that they, as individuals and as a leadership team, are not having negative and detrimental effects on the positive mental health and well-being of staff and pupils.
