Dersingham VA Primary and Nursery School

Mental Health

At Dersingham we are increasingly aware of the importance of good Mental Health. Good Mental Health is a vital part of a child achieving their full potential in all aspects of their life. We are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that make us vulnerable and at times anyone may need additional emotional support. We believe that positive mental health is everyone’s responsibility and that we all have a role to play.

Dersingham Pastoral Team:

Designated Senior Mental Health Lead: Sandra Howe

 

Mental Health First Aiders: Sue Pettit, Jenny Hopkins, Rachael Burke and Tracy Jackson

Family Support Worker: Sandra Howe

Young Carers: Sandra Howe

 

At our school we promote a mentally healthy environment through:

  • Promoting our school values and encouraging a sense of belonging
  • Providing opportunities to develop a sense of worth through taking responsibility for themselves and others
  • Emotional check in opportunities and daily pastoral support available for all
  • In each class we have worry boxes for pupils to share their worries with a safe adult
  • We have lunchtime drop-ins for pupils to be able to chat/share their worries with their Mental Health First Aider
  • Helping children socially to form and maintain positive relationships
  • Promoting self-esteem and confidence through positive praise, Values in Action, celebrating academic and non-academic achievements
  • Transition, visual timetables and social stories to support changes in school
  • We have nominated School Council members in each class to represent their peers and gain feedback in classroom forums
  • Providing opportunities to reflect, to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks
  • Promoting Pupil Voice via School Council, Eco Councillors and Young Carers, and opportunities to participate in decision-making
  • Opportunities for each class to have weekly Forest School sessions during the year
  • We include World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week in the school calendar and plan activities for the whole school
  • The school teaches the importance of mental health and wellbeing as part of the RSHE curriculum
  • We have a Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy for our school
  • Extra-curricular activities for all
  • We have Class Dojo for all teaching staff so parents can email concerns or worries

  We offer different levels of support:

Universal Support - To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum

Additional support - For those who may have short term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement  

Targeted support - For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions. We recognise the importance of forging links with other Services to support Mental Health. We make referrals where appropriate and implement advice and strategies shared by other Professionals.

 Useful websites:

What do I do if I am worried about my child's mental health or wellbeing? There are a range of organisations and groups offering support.

You can:

  • Go to your GP as a first port of call as they are a useful place to gain medical support and signposting of local services
  • Just One Norfolk is a single point of access to services offering health and well-being support and advice to families, children and young people:

www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk

Or you can call Just One Number #0300 300 0123 or text #07520 631590 with any questions or concerns about your child’s health, well-being or development

  • Talk to your child’s class teacher or teaching assistant about your child's needs or your concerns
  • Talk to the school’s Pastoral Team (as named above)
  • Young Minds: The Parents’ Helpline is available to offer advice to anyone worried about a child or young person under 25. You may have questions about a child’s behaviour, emotional well-being, or mental health condition. Call Parents’ Helpline #0808 802 5544 Monday to Friday 9.30am-4pm or visit their website www.youngminds.org.uk
  • Anna Freud is a children’s charity dedicated to providing training and support for child Mental Health www.annafreud.org
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