What is School Wellbeing Leadership Circle?
A collaborative network for school leaders supporting student wellbeing
Schools today are navigating increasingly complex challenges affecting the wellbeing of children and young people.
Leaders are seeing the impact of social media exposure, safeguarding concerns, academic pressure, emotional regulation difficulties and, in some cases, the devastating impact of sudden loss within school communities. According to the World Health Organization, mental health conditions account for approximately 16% of the global burden of disease and injury among adolescents aged 10–19. The same report highlights that many mental health difficulties emerge during adolescence and often go unrecognised or unsupported in their early stages.
Research also highlights the growing influence of digital environments. According to the Pew Research Center, 45% of teenagers report that they spend too much time on social media, and approximately 20% say social media has negatively affected their mental health. In addition, a large international study published by the World Health Organization examining adolescents across multiple countries found that over 11% of young people display signs of problematic social media use, meaning they experience difficulty controlling their use despite negative consequences.
Schools are often the first place where these challenges become visible.
Yet many school leaders report that they rarely have a dedicated space to discuss these experiences with peers and reflect on how schools can respond effectively.
The School Wellbeing Leadership Circle (SWLC) was created to provide that space.
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The SWLC is a professional network for school leaders responsible for student wellbeing, safeguarding and pastoral support.
The circle brings together leaders from schools to discuss the real challenges affecting students and to share practical strategies that support wellbeing across school communities.
Rather than a webinar or lecture, the circle is designed as a facilitated roundtable discussion, allowing leaders to share experiences, insights and approaches from their own schools.
The aim is to create a trusted environment for professional dialogue around student wellbeing.
Who is SWLC for?
The network is designed for professionals who lead or support wellbeing within schools, including:
• Headteachers and Principals

• Deputy and Assistant Heads

• Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)

• School Counsellors and Psychologists

• Heads of Wellbeing or Pastoral Care

• SENCOs and Inclusion Leads
Both primary and secondary school leaders are welcome.
Facilitated by Nicole Henry,
Founder & CEO.
The School Wellbeing Leadership Circle is facilitated by Nicole Henry.
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Nicole is a mental health specialist in education and therapist who works closely with schools to support the wellbeing of children and young people. Through her work, she has supported students, counselling teams and school communities, helping schools strengthen their approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
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Nicole has also supported boards, companies and charities in developing and strengthening their mental health provision, bringing a broad perspective on how organisations can create environments that prioritise wellbeing.
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The School Wellbeing Leadership Circle was created to bring together leaders who share a commitment to supporting the emotional wellbeing of students and strengthening school communities.
Included in Membership
Termly Roundtable Meetings
Termly virtual roundtable discussion focused on a key wellbeing challenge affecting students and schools.
These conversations are facilitated and structured to encourage meaningful discussion and the sharing of insights between schools.
Topics may include:
• Social media and student mental health
• Safeguarding risks in the digital world
• Academic pressure and emotional burnout
• Supporting anxious students in school
• Emotional regulation and student behaviour
Meeting Minutes
Following each roundtable discussion, members will receive written meeting minutes summarising key insights and themes raised during the session.
This allows schools to:
• share key points with leadership teams
• bring discussions into safeguarding and wellbeing meetings
• reflect on strategies discussed by other schools.
Replay Library
All sessions are recorded and stored within the member area.
Schools can use the recordings to:
• revisit discussions
• share insights with wider staff teams
• support professional learning within their schools.
Resource Library
Members also receive access to practical resources designed for use within school communities.
These include:
• Early Signs a Student May Be Struggling With Their Mental Health
• Understanding the Impact of Social Media on Student Wellbeing
• A Practical Framework for Supporting Student Wellbeing in Schools
Resources are designed to support staff awareness, safeguarding conversations and leadership planning.
