Welcome to Northorpe Hall’s Emotional Wellbeing Lead Newsletter for December 2022. This is intended for the person/people responsible for leading and supporting Mental Health in schools and colleges. Please share it with the relevant people in your setting.
We are delighted to be holding our first full day conference for Mental Health Leads, Senior Leaders, SENCOs and staff with responsibility for Mental Health and Wellbeing in schools and colleges. Please join us for an inspiring day.
Delegates will:
Booking will be available in January 2023.
A reminder that the same contact is covered both the face to face and the virtual network meeting, so you only need to attend one. Please use the following link to book on the Spring Term Network meeting.
Emotional Wellbeing/Senior Mental Health Lead Spring Network Meeting, Northorpe Hall
Tue, 31 Jan 2023 15:30
To book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/445209111437
Emotional Wellbeing/Senior Mental Health Lead Network Meeting (VIRTUAL)
Wed, 1 Feb 2023 15:30
To book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/445198419457
If a child or young person you care for is in a crisis, they can contact Night OWLS. This is a support service available 8pm to 8am every day for children, young people, parents and carers across West Yorkshire. They offer listening, advice, support and information. It may be worth sharing information for the Christmas Break. Night OWLS can help you if you.
Call this number for free:
0800 148 8244
Text:
07984392700
To download a poster to share with families/young people please click here
Keep up to date with us on social media:
Like our page on FacebookYoungMinds 360° Schools Community
YoungMinds have a range of information, advice and resources such as wellbeing activities, toolkits and webinars to help you support children and young people on a range of topics including anger, trauma, self- harm and anxiety. It is certainly worth a browse if you are looking for information. https://www.youngminds.org.uk/professional/resources/. You can also sign up to the 360° Schools Community e-newsletter to receive resources and tips that give you all the tools you need to look after your pupils' mental health and wellbeing. https://www.youngminds.org.uk/professional/360-schools/.
Anna Freud Classroom Wellbeing Toolkit- Secondary Schools
This evidence-based toolkit, created in partnership with the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF), will help secondary school staff take steps to improve students’ mental health and wellbeing through everyday practices. Download the toolkit here: https://www.annafreud.org/schools-and-colleges/resources/classroom-wellbeing-toolkit/.
Anna Freud CARE Animation
The CARE animation is aimed at all staff, including support staff and those who may not have direct contact with pupils. You may find it useful to share in staff meeting or send out to all staff to help them understand that everyone has a role in promoting and supporting wellbeing. https://www.annafreud.org/schools-and-colleges/resources/care-animation-and-resources/.
BBC Moodboosters – Primary Schools
BBC have created a new resource to inspire primary school age children to get moving and learning about their mental health and wellbeing. The short, simple and fun dedicated educational resources, inspirational videos and activities are available at https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/moodboosters. There are some great videos which can be used in the classroom encourage children to recharge, connect, imagine and boost!
Emotionally Based School Avoidance
Following COVID-19, there has been an increase in Emotionally Based School Avoidance, also known as Anxiety Based School Avoidance or Emotionally Based Non-Attendance. EBSA occurred for a long time prior to the pandemic but this has intensified as children have experienced extended periods at home due to the risk of harm from attending school/being around others during Covid. Further to this, family ill health and stress may also contribute to emotionally based school avoidance, making children want to remain close to their primary caregiver(s). The 2022 Attendance Audit from the Children’s Commissioner found that in Autumn 2021, 1 in 4 children were persistently absent. In 2018/2019, this figure was 1 in 9 – meaning that persistent absence has more than doubled in this time period. There are two resources which you may find useful to support pupils experiencing EBSA.
How to help your child if Christmas makes them anxious
Click here to sign up NSPCC’s CASPAR’s weekly newsletter for practice, policy and research and to keep you up-to-date with all the latest safeguarding and child protection news
Child Mental Health
Date: 23 November 2022
Source: COSMO, UCL, The Sutton Trust
COSMO, a cross-organisational study and collaboration between UCL and the Sutton trust, has published a new briefing exploring the mental health and wellbeing of 16- and 17-year-old children across England. Survey research was conducted using a sample of over 13,000 young people in Year 11 and parents in England. Findings include: 44% of 16- and 17-year-olds report elevated psychological distress; and 24% of young people said they experienced bullying at school or college. Recommendations include: ensuring access to an independent counsellor for students; the introduction of Mental Health Support teams in every school; and a well-evidenced anti-bullying programme in all schools.
Read the report: Briefing No. 4 - mental health and wellbeing
Children's Mental Health
Date: 02 November 2022
Source: ADCS
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has published a thematic report looking at children’s mental health and provision of services in England. The report collates data from local authorities and interviews with directors or assistant directors of children’s services. Respondents reported an increase in the demand for mental health services and an increase in emotional disorders.
Read the news story: ADCS safeguarding pressures - special thematic report on mental health
DfE Funded Senior Mental Health Lead Training
Did you now that approximately 50% of schools in Kirklees have accessed the DfE grant (£1200) to train a Senior Mental Health Lead? Of those schools, almost half of those have done their training at Northorpe Hall Child & Family Trust. We pride ourselves on delivering high quality, personalised training with ongoing support, during and after the training. Feedback from delegates include:
'Mental Health is everyone's business! This was really inspiring and reminded us of the importance of caring for children's wellbeing amongst all other curriculum challenge'
'The course content was well delivered and I feel much more confident moving forwards with our whole school approaches, particularly knowing that ongoing support with our journey is readily available should we need it.'
'The course was transformational!'
We have four courses available on a range of dates and recommended starting with Strategic Leadership for Change on either 27th February 2023 and 24th April 2023. If all four courses are completed, the DfE Learning Outcomes for Senior Mental Health Leads will be fully covered. Alternatively, settings may choose the courses most appropriate their needs.
For more information, dates and details of booking please visit our website or email helen.parker@northorpehall.co.uk
We are offering a range of virtual and face-to-face workshops for Children and Young people living in Kirklees over the next few months:
To book: https://chewsnews.northorpehall.co.uk/workshops.php
We also offer a number a range of virtual and face-to-face workshops for Parents and Carer living in Kirklees.
To book: https://chewsnews.northorpehall.co.uk/workshops.php
If you wish to plan any days to promote Mental Health and Wellbeing in schools, here are the key dates for Spring 2023. If you need any support, please do not hesitate to contact me.
We continue to support schools with their work on developing a Whole School Approach to mental health and wellbeing. Whilst specialist support for many children and young people is required, it is crucial that schools prioritise their work in this area. Many schools will be doing a great deal already without realising! We recommend that schools use the Anna Freud 5 steps to Mental Health and Wellbeing Tool, an evidence-based framework for schools and colleges to embed a whole school approach. It will help you to support staff, lead change, and engage with parents, carers and the community so that you can meet your pupils' and students' needs. You can register for free to access an interactive planning tool, resources, and examples of best practice at https://www.annafreud.org/schools-and-colleges/5-steps-to-mental-health-and-wellbeing/
This is from the date of the original support request.
Counselling is delivered by therapists. Direct Support is delivered by Senior Practitioners & Emotional Health Workers. Find out more information here.