Mental Health
The mental health and wellbeing of everyone within the Croft Primary School community remains a priority within our school. We all have mental health and it is important that students learn how to maintain good mental health and wellbeing.
We support children’s wellbeing and emotional needs in the following ways:
• We have a sensory room and two withdrawal rooms for emotional support
• At lunch times, play leaders support social skills and emotional wellbeing
• We have supervised indoor play groups and a lunch time mindfulness club, to support pupils to find their inner calm.
• Supported play sessions take place on our outdoor Centenary Park.
We have two members of staff trained as mental health leads. We have two members of staff trained as ‘Hope’ practioners, providing counselling and support for children with a range of emotional needs.
We are on a journey to being an attachment aware school, recognising the importance of positive relationships between adults and children and the impact on learning and wellbeing.
As well as providing support and intervention through our Pastoral support and trained staff, we also encourage students to care for themselves as well as know who in school they can turn to for help and advice.
IMPROVING OUR MINDSET
Healthy routines such as a good night's sleep, eating well and attending school on time and consistently can make a great start to looking after the mental health of our young people. Our trained staff are always available at the start and end of the school day to speak to anyone who may have concerns.
HOPE Project
All children and young people have their ups and downs and experience all kinds of thoughts and feelings as they grow up.
There are many different kinds of problems and worries that can get in the way of children and young people growing with enjoyment, happiness and confidence; this is what we mean by emotional well-being.
Problems vary in how serious they can be. For some children and young people the problems may pass quickly, for others their everyday lives are greatly affected and they may need extra help over and above what can be ordinarily provided by their families, relatives and friends.
Croft Primary School is a Hope Project School
WHAT IS THE HOPE PROJECT?
The Hope Project is a school ‘listening ear’ service which supports children, young people and their families through difficult times. The project offers early intervention and promotes a whole school approach for mental health & emotional wellbeing.
A child or young person may need someone to talk to about emotional, behavioural, social difficulties or some advice. Hope is aiming to provide this support.
THE KIND OF PROBLEMS HOPE CAN HELP WITH ARE:
Any aspect of family life that may be affecting your child’s emotional well-being
School refusal
Bullying
Behaviour
Anxiety
Sadness
Low self-esteem
Illness
Bereavement
WHO PROVIDES THE SERVICE?
At Croft Primary School we have a team who support children and young people, this includes the Head Teacher Mrs Seward, Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO) / Senior Mental Health Lead Mrs Nicholson and two pupil mentors. Mrs Smith supports children in Key Stage Two and Mrs Corden supports children in Key Stage One and Reception.
There are other agencies that can be referred to, that help pupils such as School Nurse, Sure Start workers, Early Help worker, and CAMHS.
PROVIDING A QUALITY SERVICE
We are committed to providing a quality service and consider it important to listen to the views of children, young people and families.
If, for any reason a young person or carer has any questions about any aspect of the service they are welcome to talk to any team member who will be happy to listen to any comments or suggestions put forward.
The Hope Project is a low-level, early intervention project aimed at supporting pupils’ emotional needs in schools. This is done through 1:1 listening sessions, group activities and whole-school promotion of positive emotional health & wellbeing.
School staff have received training to increase their understanding of the mental health development and mental health needs of children. In addition to this mental health knowledge they have learned about listening, questioning and using feedback tools to monitor interventions. This awareness ensures the Hope mentors offer effective listening and support which enables positive change in the child/young person.
HOW DOES A YOUNG PERSON ACCESS THE HOPE PROJECT?
Parents/ Carers or Class Teachers can contact the SENCO with questions or concerns, who will then co-ordinate the most appropriate person or service to help.
KEY MEMBERS OF STAFF
Mrs Nicholson- is the school's SENDCO and Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead and oversees the wellbeing provision offered to everyone in our school
Miss Sykes - is a teaching assistant and is one of our school's Mental Heath and Wellbeing support assistant.
Parents Coffee Mornings at Croft Primary School
Local Support
Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust launched a new mental health helpline for local people in crisis.
The service is available to anyone in mental health crisis at anytime, anywhere across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and is available 24 hours a day, seven-days a week, the Freephone number, 0808 196 3779 is the number to call if you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate help. It’s open to people of all ages who need urgent mental health support.
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Children's Centre Service
A Children’s Centre is a place, or group of places, where local families with young children can go and enjoy facilities and receive support that they need. Sometimes support may be offered in the home.
The facilities and activities are designed especially for parents expecting a baby, or those with a child under 5 years old.
Please find below links to local courses and support;
FACE Family Advice - Spring Update
Parenting mental health
Supporting parents with children suffering with mental health illnesses. Learn more about our mission, access support services, and join our online community.
The Sleep Charity
The Sleep Charity, incorporating The Sleep Council, provide advice and support to empower the nation to sleep better. We campaign to improve sleep support and access to high quality information, raise awareness of the value of a good night’s sleep and promote understanding around the complexities of sleep. We want everyone to share our vision that sleep is a vital component of health and wellbeing and that everyone living with sleep issues should have access to effective, consistent, evidence-based support.
Sleep is essential for our health and wellbeing yet it is estimated that 40% of the population suffer with sleep issues and many do not get the support that they need.
We aim to:
- Provide access to high quality information and advice to deal with most sleep issues
- To ensure everyone understands the value of a good night’s sleep
- To campaign for improvements to the support available
- Make a positive difference to the lives of those we work with by campaigning for improvement to the support available
- Provide accredited training for professionals so they can offer sleep support to the people they work with
