Aims: Young people’s social and emotional wellbeing is important in its own right but also because it affects their physical health (both as a young person and as an adult). Good social, emotional and psychological health helps protect young people against emotional and behavioural problems, violence and crime, teenage pregnancy and the misuse of drugs and alcohol. It can also help them to learn and achieve academically, thus affecting their long-term social and economic wellbeing.
Recommendations: Section 1 of the document contains recommendations for promoting young people’s social and emotional wellbeing in secondary education, whilst the evidence statements that underpin these recommendations are listed in Appendix C.
Intended audience: Teachers, support staff, governors and professionals with public health as part of their remit working in education (including the independent sector), local authorities, the NHS and the wider public, voluntary and community sectors. It may also be of interest to parents of young people in secondary education, young people themselves and other members of the public.
Methodology and development: The methods used to develop the guidance are summarised in Appendix B. Supporting documents used in the preparation of the document are listed in Appendix E.
Implications for practice: See Section 4 'Implementation'. Tools to help organisations put this guidance into practice can be found at www.nice.org.uk/PH20.
Publication history information: Published 23 September 2009. This guidance will be updated as the need arises. NICE Public Health Guidance 20.
Access: Available to the general public.
