At St Dunstan’s 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 support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
Promoting wellbeing, building resilience and good mental health will improve life chances for our children. If wellbeing is high, then children can reach their full potential. When children experience safety in their relationships they open up to new learning. Our aim is to provide the correct support that children need to ensure that they feel safe, ready to learn and respected. It is therefore vital that wellbeing is placed at the foundation of our school offer.
Levels of support
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Universal support- to meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and curriculum.
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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.
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Targeted support – for pupils who need more differentiated support and resources. Referrals to outside agencies such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
Examples of support
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Behaviour interventions
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Emotional Literacy Support Assistance (ELSA)
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School Counsellors
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Transition to secondary school programs
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Transition within school programs
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Personal Social Health Education (PHSE) lessons
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Clubs
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Daily worship – including worship led by the children
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Referrals to specialist teachers/therapists/services e.g. Educational Psychology, Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Jigsaw4u.
Mental health doesn’t mean being happy all the time and neither does it mean avoiding stresses altogether. One of the most important ways to support your child is to listen to them and take their feelings seriously. Come and talk to us in confidence, and let us know when things become difficult.
Recommended Support Services
Childline – Can offer advice and tips to support you with a variety of concerns and worries, online, on the phone, anytime. https://www.childline.org.uk/
MIND - provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. https://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/
Young Minds - are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they deserve. https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
KOOTH – This is an anonymous site which helps children and young people feel safe and confident in exploring their concerns and seeking professional support. https://www.kooth.com/
Heads Together – is a mental health initiative spearheaded by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge which combines a campaign to tackle stigma and change the conversation on mental health. https://www.headstogether.org.uk/
Recommended Apps
Clear Fear – a free app to help children and young people manage the symptoms of anxiety
Wellmind – an NHS app with advice and tips on how to improve mental health and wellbeing. Functions to help monitor moods, get crisis help and use relaxation audio tracks.
Smiling Mind - Smiling Mind is designed to help people pressure, stress, and challenges of daily life.
Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame - Breathe, Think, and Do with Sesame is a free app that helps children to learn to deal with frustrating situations using the "breathe, think, do" method. They'll learn to take long, deep belly breaths to calm down, think of a few strategies to handle the problem, and then do those things. They'll develop resilience as they overcome frustrations and challenges on their own.
Mindful Powers - Mindful Powers is an app aimed at children aged between 7 and 10.
Children’s Bedtime Meditations - Anxiety, fear, and stress can lead to sleeplessness. Tiredness can amplify negative emotions. A vicious circle can form. If your child is a nighttime worrier kept from sleep by an unquiet mind, consider Children's Bedtime Meditations for Sleep & Calm.
The Zones of Regulation - Children identify the coloured 'zone' that they are in which corresponds to different groups of emotions. For example, anger is in the red and sadness in the blue. The app then guides children through these emotions and how to deal with them. The intention is to take children through the negative emotions into the calm and content ones.
Local Support
Sutton Uplift – a community mental health and wellbeing service for Sutton residents over the age of 18 registered with a Sutton GP. https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/our-services/find-a-service/service/sutton-uplift
Education Wellbeing Service - Autumn Schedule for webinars for parents
Local services and support https://www.sutton.gov.uk/-/what-to-do-if-you-are-worried-about-a-child-emotional-wellbeing-support-sutton