Before beginning targeted and specialist intervention for a child and young person, it is important to assess and analyse their current presentation using an assessment tool.
There are two key elements that can enable schools to reliably identify pupils at risk of mental health problems.
Effective use of attainment / attendance / behaviour data so that changes in patterns for the pupil are noticed and can be acted upon; along with an effective pastoral system so that at least one member of staff (e.g. a form tutor or class teacher) knows every pupil well and has received training (Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools November 2018).