Three years ago, Leicestershire and Rutland County Councils made a strategic investment in wellbeing monitoring for schools, recognising the critical role mental health plays in the overall development and safety of children.
Fast forward to today, and the results speak for themselves. Both qualitative and quantitative data highlight the transformative impact that wellbeing monitoring is having on students, teachers, and school safeguarding processes across the region. The evidence is so compelling that the councils have continued to fund youHQ, an innovative digital platform that has become a vital early detection system for identifying at-risk children.
The Initial Vision of youHQ
When we first created youHQ, our primary goal was to provide young people with a space to learn the skills they need to live healthy and meaningful lives. We envisioned a platform where students could access valuable resources on mental health, personal development, and wellbeing. However, it wasn’t until we saw the profound impact our wellbeing surveys were having on school safeguarding processes that we realised just how vital this aspect of the platform would become.
Our wellbeing surveys were initially designed to help students self-reflect, to monitor their moods and emotional states regularly. What we didn’t anticipate was the way these simple surveys would give students—especially those who might be at risk of harm—a safe and accessible way to express concerns, signal distress, or ask for help.
The Power of Self-Reflection and Early Detection
By allowing school-aged children the opportunity to self-reflect through these simple surveys, we unintentionally created a powerful tool for early intervention. For many students, expressing emotional struggles in person can be challenging, particularly if they are dealing with complex issues like bullying, family problems, or mental health concerns. The regularity of digital surveys create a safe space for students to report how they are feeling, without the pressure of a face-to-face conversation.
This system has proven invaluable in identifying students who may be at risk of harm—whether that harm comes from external factors or their internal emotional wellbeing. Teachers and senior leaders have reported that the data gathered through these surveys has enabled them to take swift and targeted action to support those students in need. For many schools, these surveys have now become an integral part of their safeguarding processes.
Seamless Integration with CPOMS
One of the most significant developments we’ve made at youHQ to enhance safeguarding is our integration with CPOMS, a leading platform used by schools to track child protection and safeguarding issues. This integration has been a game-changer for schools, automating many of the processes that once required manual input from teachers and staff.
With our latest update, any time a student registers a low mood through our surveys, this information is automatically sent to CPOMS. The platform then updates the child’s chronology, providing key safeguarding leads with both the mood data and context around why the child may be feeling that way. This seamless integration ensures that important information never gets missed or delayed, allowing school staff to intervene more effectively and efficiently.
This not only saves teachers time but more importantly, it ensures that safeguarding leads have real-time access to critical information, enabling them to act quickly and provide the support needed to children who are potentially at risk.
Data-Driven Results: A Clear Path Forward
The overwhelming evidence gathered from our schools makes one thing clear: digital wellbeing monitoring is a powerful tool for safeguarding and supporting the mental health of students. Schools that have incorporated regular wellbeing surveys into their safeguarding processes are reporting significant improvements in their ability to detect and respond to early warning signs of harm.
The qualitative feedback from teachers and safeguarding leads has been equally powerful. Many have shared stories of how these digital tools have enabled them to intervene in situations they might have otherwise missed—whether it be a child silently struggling with anxiety, or a student in distress due to issues at home. Having a regular, reliable system in place has empowered schools to create safer, more supportive environments for their students.
The Future of Wellbeing Monitoring in Schools
As we look ahead, it’s becoming increasingly clear that all schools should be incorporating some form of digital wellbeing monitoring into their safeguarding processes. Whether through a platform like youHQ or through regular student voice surveys, the benefits of giving students a safe way to express their feelings cannot be overstated. This approach not only fosters better mental health but also acts as a vital early warning system for safeguarding leads.
In the future, we hope to see even more schools embracing these tools, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to be heard and supported in their wellbeing journey. As the data from Leicestershire and Rutland has shown, investing in wellbeing monitoring is an investment in safer, healthier, and more successful students.
By continuing to support these initiatives, schools can ensure they are not only meeting their safeguarding obligations but also fostering an environment where every child can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. The evidence is in: wellbeing monitoring works, and it’s here to stay.
Click here to check out the Power of Prevention white paper, created in collaboration with leading safeguarding provider CPOMS.
Interested in finding out how youHQ can help students at your school? Book a demo with us.
Comments