We understand the absolute essential importance of supporting good mental health. Staff training ensures that children and families can expect us to demonstrate good understanding of children’s mental health and to provide approaches that foster positive wellbeing in our school.
There are times when children and families experience circumstances that can put extra stress on mental health and wellbeing and we are able to provide some additional support and signposting to services where needed.
We engage the services of a local provider called ABC Counselling, Play Therapy and Family Solutions to help support children and families if needed. Over the years we have developed excellent relationships with the directors and practitioners from ABC who have supported many of our children and families in a range of ways.
In their own words:
ABC understands that life can get tough, and big feelings can impact on the way we feel about ourselves, see others and interact with the world around us. Remember you don’t have to go it alone. Whether you are a parent, carer, child or young person ABC is here to help you to heal from the inside out.
If you have any concerns about your child and would like to be considered for some support from ABC, please contact your child’s teacher in the first instance who will then follow up with the SENDCO, Mrs McHale and the Acting Headteacher, Miss Huddart. There is usually a waiting list to access this additional support but talking to us will ensure that staff can adapt their approach or the current provision and give additional time and opportunities for children to talk to trusted adults and reassure them that their needs are known and cared about.
In addition, we are fortunate to be part of the local ‘Trailblazer‘ programme which provides mental health support to children in schools. This project is currently government funded and is a partnership project involving local mental health professionals such as CAMHS. Through this programme we access:
If you approach us about additional support for your child, or if we offer this to you based on any observations we have made, Mrs McHale will select the most appropriate pathway or may signpost to another service or pathway.
Each term, Alliance produce a Mental Health Support Team (MHST) Newsletter for parents, carers and students. This will provide you with updates and important information about the work that Alliance do and the services that they can offer. You can read and download the newsletter underneath the Feel Better newsletter below.
Each half term, staff produce a FEEL BETTER NEWSLETTER which has some helpful links and ideas for parents and children on maintaining good mental health. You can read our most recent copy here and there are links to previous copies below.
Here’s our latest FEEL BETTER NEWSLETTER
Follow these links to our earlier letters:
Here is the latest Mental Health Support Team (MHST) Newsletter
Follow these links for previous newsletters: