Wellbeing

Telford Junior School is committed to supporting the social and emotional resilience of children. The pressures of society today can impact significantly on children's mental wellbeing. Stress, anxiety, low mood, attachment disorders, depression, eating disorders and self-harming appear to be more common amongst children and young people.

The school aims to work with families and social and healthcare professionals to support the wellbeing of the children in our care. We have established arrangements in school to help us achieve this goal, with staff being trained in the delivery of Nurture Provision, Thrive and a range of strategies to support individual children's needs.

Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), Natasha Thompson, and Lori Herbert (PSHE Subject Leader, Licensed Thrive Practitioner, Protective Behaviours Specialist Practitoner and Mental Health Lead) are leading the school's work in this area. The school also commissions support from SEND Supported, a specialist teaching service, and from Snowford Grange Counselling and Psychotherapy, a school counselling service.

How the School Supports Mental Health

Thrive Time

The teachers have introduced 'Thrive Time' for each class. This is a 10 minutes session of mindfulness, relaxation, breathing techniques, free drawing time, Lego building, etc. It has proved really helpful in settling the children for a productive afternoon session, after their lunch break. It presents an opportunity for the teacher or teaching assistant to have pastoral conversations with children in their class.

Specific Strategies for Individual Children

Our SENDCO and Thrive Practitioner have introduced a range of different strategies to support the individual needs of children around anxiety and mental health. These include 'worry monsters' in classrooms, encouraging children to write their worries, if they are struggling to verbalise them. There are 'calm kits', which include different stress-relieving toys, such as calming therapy putty. Nurture sessions, Thrive activities, Lego therapy and 'Drawing and Talking' are delivered by trained teaching assistants and these have a hugely beneficial impact on the wellbeing of children who are struggling emotionally.

Curriculum

PSHE lessons include a focus on mental health. Teaching staff have also developed the use of outside spaces to give children space to reflect and to talk about their feelings.

Relationship Policy - Based on Restorative Practice

Our restorative approach to behaviour management means that the school is inclusive and takes account of the social and emotional needs of children. As part of our school development work, we have introduced a Relationship Policy, bringing together our behaviour, with elements of our anti-bullying and equality policies and our practices around addressing prejudicial behaviours. We believe this approach will further support children's wellbeing.

Support for Parents and Carers

Support Groups for Parents/Carers Looking After Young People who Self-Harm

SPARK Kenilworth - music programme to support children's mental health

SPARK Stratford - music programme to support children's mental health

Support for Children & Young People

Warwickshire's Mental Health Services for Children & Young People

Young Minds Matter - free 1:1 mentors for young people

Compass Shine - Children & Young People's Emotional Health & Wellbeing Service

Autism Support for Children and Families

If you live in Coventry or Warwickshire and your child has a diagnosis of autism, or are awaiting a diagnosis, the Community Autism Support Service (CASS) may be able to help. You can start by calling the CASS Navigation Team and ask about available support: 024 76 012333, or by email: navigation@casspartnership.org.uk

Community Autism Support Service (CASS)

Autistic Girls Network