Ensuring our students are at their peak mental fitness now and in the future is central to our drive to enable them to be Successful (by providing foundations for lifelong success) Creative (able to explore “real – life” and respond by being imaginative risk takers prepared to lead the future) Happy (develop understanding that allows their confidence to come from within).
As part of our approach at CHS we use the SEL Essentials (Social and Emotional Learning) which pervades all that we do and has a common language and ethos at its core.
Mental Fitness Framework for Learning
Universal
All students access our Mental Fitness Curriculum. This is explicitly embedded in their Respect Lessons and through the Pastoral Curriculum incorporating Well Being Wednesday form tutor sessions which reflect and deepen what is taught in Respect, further supplemented by Assemblies and specific focus weeks.
There are also implicit references to mental fitness in other curriuculum areas too; PE, Dance, Drama, Art and Music use creative approaches to instill in students the need for a healthy emotional balance in our lives. All subject teachers are fully aware of the pressures that learning can place on young people and thus ensure that issues such as exam stress, resilience and the importance of growth mindset form an integral part of the learning and assessment processes so that our young people can be the best that they can be. (link to MF Framework for learning)
We know that there are times when young people need a little bit of extra help to navigate the challenges of adolescence. We have a range of staged interventions that can be accessed in and out of school.
Wave 1
The first level of support incorporates a variety of small mechanisms. These include
· Online services such as Kooth and Health for Teens
· Direction to support websites
· Time out
· Access to a ‘quiet space’
· One to one time with Head of Year or mentor
Wave 2
Access to specific small group programmes such as Boost, Growth Mindset, Mindfulness Sessions
Wave 3
Referral to more bespoke in-school therapies on a one to one or small group basis which could include
· Thinc Room
· 42nd Street Counselling
· Music Therapy
· Drama Therapy
Wave 4
In some cases we may decide to make a referral to outside services such as
· CAMHS
· Speech AND Language
· Educational Psychology
· School Nurse Service
Referral to Wave 2 and 3 in school interventions are made by your child’s Head of Year. Following referral they will be placed on the waiting list for the intervention that it is felt would best suit their need.
If at any time you feel your child’s mental health is putting them at risk of significant harm we advise that you contact your GP or take them to your nearest A&E
Please see the links below for further sources of help and advice.
Support
Anna Freud Centre resources - For adoptive parents, special guardians and foster parents
Anna Freud Centre resources - For parents and carers
Anna Freud Centre resources - Youth Wellbeing Directory
Anna Freud Centre resources - Apps with self help strategies
Barnardos - Family support with lockdown and Covid 19 stresses
Barnardos Boloh - Help for 11+ for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority children and young people. Call 0800 1512605
BEAT - Call Youthline 0808 801 0711
Childline - 0800 1111
Health for TeensKooth - Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people aged 10-25
Papyrus - Prevention of young suicide. Call HOPEline 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans, Manchester - Call 24/7 116 123
The Mix information & support for under 25’s
Young Minds - Call Parents’ Helpline 0808 802 5544
Youth Access Advice and counselling network
Manchester Support
Buzz Manchester Health and Wellbeing Service
MoodSwings - Call 0161 832 37 36
Samaritans, Manchester - Call 24/7 116 123
Shout - for anyone in crisis at anytime. Text 85258
Start2 (creative activities for wellbeing/self help)
Information
Head Meds - Powered by Young Minds giving information about medication and conditions
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Resources
Calm Harm App (Self-harm support/distraction app)
Headspace (mindfulness/relaxation app)
Self Help Resources/Worksheets
Parent/Carer Resources
Healthy School’s Parent Padlet
Useful Apps
Anna Freud Centre resources - Apps with self help strategies