Well Being and Mental Health
At SJS, we promote positive mental health and wellbeing, for all members of our school community (parents, children and staff), and recognise how important it is to our lives, in the same way that physical health is important. We recognise that all children go through ups and downs and that throughout their time with us, they may face significant life events. Our aim, is to support children with any challenges that they may be facing and to signpost parents and carers to the most suitable support, if we are unable to provide it.
The Department for Education (DfE) recognises that: “in order to help their children succeed; schools have a role to play in supporting them to be resilient and mentally healthy”. Schools can be a place for children and young people to experience a nurturing and supportive environment that has the potential to develop self-esteem and give positive experiences for overcoming adversity and building resilience. Our role in school, is to make sure that children and parents/carers, have access to the support that they need and that they are able to manage times of change and stress.
Our aims are to:
- Ensure that all children feel valued and appreciated.
- Remove the stigma around mental health, so that children are able to talk openly about this, with a trusted adult.
- Promote positive mental health and wellbeing and ensure that this is valued and prioritised as much as physical health.
- Ensure that children feel safe and listened to.
- Create an environment and ethos that creates an awareness around mental health and wellbeing and actively teaches children how to take care of this.
Support for Pupils
We offer a range of pastoral support in school, for pupils who are experiencing poor mental health, are struggling with their wellbeing or need support to develop resilience and self-esteem. This support follows a graduated pathway and children can move up or down this pathway, depending on the level of support that they need at the time.
Universal - Emotion coaching, zones of regulation, PSHCE Curriculum (Ten:Ten), Celebration of the Word, Behaviour Policy, Trauma/attachment friendly approach, classroom check-in system.
Additional - Access to 'soft start' morning club in Luc Deer room, check-ins with familiar member of staff, individual check in systems, ELSA groups.
Intensive - 1:1 Elsa sessions, Drawing and Talking therapy, other 1:1 sessions, support from external agencies, increased use of tailored resources and strategies (e.g. brain breaks or calm zones.)
Specialist - Play therapy, increased input from external agencies (e.g. CAMHS, Paediatrcian.)
Support for Parents
Our Well Being Support Advisor, Mrs Lloyd-Yates, is always happy to talk to you about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of your children, as well as supporting your own mental health and wellbeing.