This article offers a check-in schedule to get started with Skodel
Run a check-in every two weeks first thing on a Tuesday morning (or a day that works for you) with a year group and ask the following open-ended questions (or variations of them depending on context):
- Week 1: If you had two wishes for this term, what would they be?
- Week 3: What would you do or say to help a friend who is going through a bad time? (you could share insightful responses across e-newsletters and community notice boards)
- Week 5: What is one thing you have done recently that made you feel happy?
- Week 7: What are you most proud of this term?
Tip: Collaborate with staff involved in the trial by asking them what they would like to know about their students, and then base questions around that. Skodel isn’t just about uncovering threats to mental health, ask students what is great in their life, who they want to be, their goals, hopes and dreams, and how they would help others.
To set this up, first create customised check-ins and then schedule these check-ins to be sent at the right time each week. If you would like to explore more question options, click here for 25 Questions to Get to Know Your Students.
Note: During this trial, some students may set up their own wellbeing plans. If you would like to know more about getting started with wellbeing plans, click here.
If you would like more information on how best to use Skodel, check out our Best Practice Guide.
After this trial, we recommend checking in three times a term.
Introducing wellbeing plans during your trial?
To start with, we recommend running a few check-ins before formally introducing wellbeing plans. During this time, some students may set up their own wellbeing plans and that is fine. If you would like to introduce wellbeing plans after a few check-ins, click here for an engaging way to do this.