Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Expanse School we take the mental health and wellbeing of our students, staff, families and community seriously. Our students are central to all we do. We respect and value all our students and are committed to providing a happy, safe and effective learning environment where everyone is valued.
We are aware that positive mental health is the key to this and we are committed to ensuring that an ethos of positive metal health is at the heart of all we do. We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school approaches and specialised, targeted approaches aimed at vulnerable pupils. Our open culture and strong positive relationships, allows students’ voices to be heard, and through the use of effective procedures we ensure a safe and supportive environment for all.
At Expanse school we use the following strategies to support our students:
- PSHE Curriculum that promotes emotional intelligence, resilience and confidence.
- Topical assemblies throughout the academic year.
- Visiting speakers providing real world examples
- Extra-curricular days covering a range of topics relating to wellbeing and cultural calendar.
- Weekly wellbeing breakfast.
- Intervention work with Pastoral staff.
- School website outlining a range of accessible external support.
- Specific signposting of external support.
- Liaise with home.
- School based Counsellor.
- Referrals to relevant agencies where appropriate.
What Inclusion and Effective Mental Health Interventions Means to Us
- The child stays at the centre of every conversation.
- We prioritise those who need our help most, but we intervene with all.
- When young people are here, we can support and educate them – attendance matters.
- Young people learn best when there are clear rules and simple consequences.
- Staff teach best when there are clear rules and simple consequences.
- We use evidence-based practice for all our interventions
Useful Links:
You can contact Childline about anything that is worrying you, day or night.
A help and advice charity that provides a counselling service for children and young people. It is free of charge and confidential. A multilingual service is provided.
YoungMinds provides mental health resources for young people.
They have a 24/7 text helpline for young people having a mental health crisis.
They provide information and assistance to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing in children and young people, as well as giving support and guidance for parent/carer empowerment.
Samaritans provide a service where someone will listen to you and help you talk through your concerns, worries, and troubles.
They have a 24/7 helpline available to talk to someone.
They provide emotional support for those with feelings of despair or distress and are struggling to cope or are at risk of suicide.
CAMHS is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. They are part of the NHS and provide mental health services for young people.
SHOUT is a 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Text 85258.
Kooth is an anonymous site that helps children and young people to feel safe and confident in exploring their concerns and seeking professional support.
