At West Ashtead we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of all our pupils. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable, and at times anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play. 

Tools we use to identify and support:

• Annual pupil, parents and staff surveys

• Analysis of our behaviour and safeguarding system, CPOMS

• Observations of children e.g. changes in behaviour or work

• PSHE Sessions 

We offer different levels of support:

• Universal Support - To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and our curriculum. For instance, developing resilience for all and creating a strong community for everyone to feel like they belong.

• Additional support - For those who may have short term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement and difficult circumstances outside of school.

• Targeted support - For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as Learning Space, Drawing and Talking. Referrals to outside agencies, for example Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

Examples of our support 

• Behavioural Interventions

• ELSA

• Nurture room and groups with our ELSA

• School Counsellors 

• Transition to secondary school programs

• Early morning/breaktime groups for identified pupils 

• PSHE lessons

• Lunchtime clubs

• Lego Therapy 

• Speech and Language Support

• Individual Pastoral  Support 

• Individual Therapy Support

Directory of Services

• Young Minds - a fantastic organisation offering free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person. www.youngminds.org.uk

• ChildLine - ChildLine is the UK’s free helpline for children and young people. It provides a confidential telephone counselling service for any child or young person with a problem. It comforts, advises and protects. So, if you are worried about anything, big or small – don’t bottle it up. It can really help if you talk to someone. If there is something on your mind, ChildLine is there for you. You can visit the Childline Explore section for advice and information on a range of topics. Also, you can get support on the online message boards. ‘Everyone helps each other out and is going through the same things as me – it’s a really welcoming place’ Freephone 0800 1111 (24 hours and the call won’t show on your phone bill) www.childline.org.uk

• Kooth Free online support for young people. Kooth counsellors are online Monday-Friday, 12 noon till 10pm and weekends, 6pm till 10pm. www.kooth.com

• Every Mind Matters | One You - A public health England and NHS site to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental wellbeing and support others.

• Winston’s Wish - The death of a parent, brother or sister is one of the most fundamental losses a child will ever face. At Winston’s Wish, they believe that bereaved children need support to make sense of death and rebuild their lives. The Winston’s Wish Helpline offers support, information and guidance to all those caring for a bereaved child or young person. Helpline 08452 03 04 05 (Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Wednesday evenings, 7pm to 9.30 pm) www.winstonswish.org.uk

• Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) information for parents and carers  - 0203 260 5200

• Barnardo’s See, Hear, Respond service, provides support to children, young people and their families who aren’t currently seeing a social worker or other agency, and who are struggling to cope with the emotional impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19). You can access via the ‘See, Hear, Respond’ service self-referral webpage or Freephone 0800 151 7015.

• Surrey Health & Wellbeing  Healthy Surrey can help you lead a healthier life, whether you want to be more active, drink less alcohol, stop smoking, and more.

• MindWorks Surrey The Children and Young people's Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service