MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
INTRODUCTION
Mental health and well-being are a priority for our children and families. As a school, we aim to work alongside healthcare professionals to offer timely and helpful support.
ELSA
Mental health and wellbeing are a priority for our children and families. As a school, we identified the need for ongoing support for mental health and wellbeing and as a result, we have now two ELSA trained members of staff. An ELSA in a school is an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. ELSAs can support children’s emotional development and help them manage life’s challenges. An ELSA is not there to fix problems, but to help children find their own solutions and offer support that children can draw on when necessary. Relationships are key in helping children to feel safe and nurtured. ELSA is about creating the time and reflective space for the child.
FAMILY LINK WORKER
The school recognises that there are times when families may need additional support. Our Family Link Worker, Miss Hancock, works closely with both the Mental Health Lead, Miss Hetherington, and ELSA trained staff to offer support and advice through:
- Communicating between parents, carers, guardians and school staff.
- Supporting parents, carers and guardians to manage the emotional wellbeing of their children.
- Listening to parents, carers and guardian concerns and working with them to find solutions.
- Signposting and referring to the appropriate service that can support families such as Health Visitors, Mental Health Support Team, CLASP, Cheshire Without Abuse and the Food Bank.
- Support and advice around managing behaviour and improving routines
- Providing Extra Help and Targeted Help to support with home issues.
In addition to this, our wellbeing team works alongside healthcare professionals to offer timely and helpful support. We have links with the following support networks:
- Mental Health Lead: Miss Hetherington
- Family Link Worker: Miss Hancock
- ELSA support: Mrs Heeks and Mrs Alcock
- Mental Health Support Team
- Emotionally Healthy Schools
- Children & Adult Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
- CLASP
- CWA
- Visyon
If you require any further help please contact:
Mental Health Lead, Miss Hetherington: senco@haslington.cheshire.sch.uk
Family Support Worker, Miss Hancock: fsw2@alexandraacademytrust.co.uk
Below are some links you may find useful:
www.dragonflyimpact.co.uk/anxiety-booklet-pdf
https://www.visyon.org.uk/