Fiona Jarman

Trust Safeguarding and Mental Health Lead, GLF Academy Trust

Fiona Jarman is the Safeguarding and Mental Health Lead for GFL Schools - a trust which serves over 19,000 children and young people aged two to 19 in a diverse array of settings. She has worked in education for over 30 years in multiple roles within schools in London and Surrey, joining the school support team for GFL in 2013, originally as an SLE for behaviour. She now leads professional development and supervision for DSLs, SMHLs and thrive practitioners in GLF and has had the great privilege of seeing the direct impact these colleagues have had, making a difference to so many children and young people particularly those who have lived through adverse childhood experiences. As a former young carer herself, Fiona is keen to ensure that the voices of disadvantaged, quiet or neurodivergent children and young people are heard so they are empowered to make real change.

1 Workshop series two

Supporting girls’ mental health in a digital age

At a time when girls are reporting increased pestering and pressure around sex, this workshop explores how we can harness deep listening, student voice and peer-to-peer cascade to support girls' mental health – particularly around improving body image, self-esteem and personal boundaries. The workshop will share insights from GLF Academy Trust's two-year project to remove barriers between adults' understanding and the reality of children's lived experience, create practical resources that are for students by students, and determine how to equip young people to discuss sensitive issues with peers in a thoughtful, empathetic and responsible way. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the project rationale, scope, approach and intended outcomes. There will be an opportunity to contribute your experience to the collective thinking around this work and to consider how this approach could be replicated within your trust.