We are committed to promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing to all pupils, students, their families, members of staff and governors. Our open culture allows voices to be heard, and through the use of effective policies and procedures we ensure a safe and supportive environment for all affected – both directly and indirectly – by mental health issues.
What is Pupil and Family Support, how can they help?
PFS is available to support pupils, students and their families if they are worried about their emotional health.
Anxiety
Low mood and depression
Eating disorders
Self-harm
Phone or email contact with advice and support about emotional wellbeing issues
Early help access via your Head of Year
A team of fully qualified counsellors, along with a training placement for a volunteer, trainee counsellor (we have two counsellors on site every day)
A small classroom environment, where those unable to attend the main school can be supported
Liaison with agencies
We have some exciting plans to enhance our support, we are currently working with Sanctuary Housing Association who have offered us a charitable gift for a bespoke and discreet Wellbeing hub, which will contain two new counselling rooms, enhancing the two current Wellbeing rooms to four. The project is with the local authority for planning consent, and, once approved, construction will be overseen by Hill Construction.
From January 2022, we will also be working alongside the MHST (Mental Health Support Team) in our area. This will bring added capacity via a MHST support practitioner working with us in school.
Mental Health Foundation – https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications
Action for Children – https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/
Family Lives – https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/
Minded – https://www.minded.org.uk/
YoungMinds – https://youngminds.org.uk/
Place2be – https://www.place2be.org.uk/
You might like to access confidential support from these other services:
Young Minds – www.youngminds.org.uk
Young Minds 24/7 Crisis Text Messaging Service – If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, you can text YM to 85258.
Mind have a whole range of information and support information for children and parents on their website.
Young Minds provide useful information for young people and their parents about mental health, seeking treatment and the mental health system.
Mind Ed for Families is a website developed by Health Education England and the Department of Education to help families understand and support their children, from parenting tips to getting help in a crisis.
The NHS website is a useful place to find out about all kinds of illnesses, including mental health problems.
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
Headspace has some useful audio and video clips about different conditions and people’s experiences, as well as some mindfulness resources. https://www.headspace.com
Yellow door an independent charity offering Information, Advice, Advocacy, Emotional and Practical Support, Education and Counselling and Activities to young people between 11 and 25.
https://www.canveyislandyouthproject.org.uk/
Contact the Samaritans – You can talk to them about whatever you are going through. It is free at any time, and you can call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Papryus (Hopeline) – Young suicide prevention. Call: 0800 068 4141 Go to: Papyrus-uk.org/hopelineuk
EWMHS Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (provides advice and support to children, young people and families who are in need of support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties). The service covers Southend, Essex and Thurrock and is open to young people between the ages of 0-18, or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs. https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-ewmhs/
For anyone who feels they may need support with mental health and well-being: https://www.therapyforyou.co.uk/courses/online
Get help from KOOTH who provide free and anonymous online counselling and peer to peer support to 11-25 year olds. www.kooth.com
Sudden Bereavement Helpline and webcasts – https://sudden.org/tools/ Helpline: 0800 2600 400
Child Mental Health – www.childmentalhealthcentre.org
Childline 0800 11 11 – www.childline.org.uk
Support and information for gender variant children and teens – www.mermaidsuk.org.uk
Moodwise – is a website for 16- 25 year olds which has tools and resources to help you find things to make you feel better. moodwise.co.uk
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – Male suicide prevention charity – for men and boys who need to talk or find support. You can call: 0800 58 58 58 or visit thecalmzone.net