At Shakespeare Infant School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils, staff and community. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.  

 At our school we:

• help children to understand their emotions and feelings better                             
• help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
• help children socially to form and maintain relationships
• promote self esteem and ensure children know that they count
• encourage children to be confident in themselves
• help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks 

Lead staff members:

Sarah Kesterson: Mental Health Lead

• Mental Health First Aider
• Domestic Abuse Ambassador
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Domestic Abuse
• Membership of Childhood Bereavement Network

s.kesterson@shakespeare-inf.hants.sch.uk 

Jane Aslet: ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)

We are a mentally healthy school

We can offer different levels of support

Universal Support- To meet the needs of all our pupils  through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum. For instance developing resilience for all.

Additional support- For those who may have short term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement.  

Targeted support-  For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as wellbeing groups or ELSA support

News

Useful links

https://nipinthebud.org/

Nip in the Bud works with mental health professionals to produce short films and fact sheets to help parents, primary school teachers and others caring for and working with children to recognise potential mental health conditions. The goal is to increase the prospects of early intervention and to reduce the risks of those conditions becoming more serious in later years.

The films cover Anxiety Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

A public health England and NHS site to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental wellbeing and support others.

https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/

Quality-assured information, advice and resources to help primary schools understand and promote children’s mental health and wellbeing.

https://www.annafreud.org/parents-and-carers/child-in-mind/

A series of expert podcasts to help parents understand and manage child and family mental health problems.

https://www.youngminds.org.uk

Mental health info and guidance

www.childline.org

| 0800 1111 (free 24hr)

Confidential listening to support concerns and offer advice

samaritans.org | 116 123 (free 24 hr)| jo@samaritans.org

Confidential listening to support Mental Health and Wellbeing

studentsagainstdepression.org

Resources to move away from depression

https://www.youthaccess.org.uk

Young people’s infomation, advice and counselling

https://www.themix.org.uk

Essential support for under 25s

If  parents or carers have any concerns about children’s mental health over the summer break, they should seek support.

You can find a list of support available in your area via the Youth Wellbeing Directory, or a list of helplines in this resource library.

You could also contact:

SHOUT - text ‘Shout’ to 85258 for 24/7 crisis text support

Childline - under 19 s can call 0800 1111 for free support

Education Support - school staff can call 08000 562 561 or text 07909 341229 for 24/7 help and advice

YoungMinds Parents Helpline - Call 0808 802 5544 for free Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm

Safety 4 Kids is a non-profit organisation designed to help kids make better decisions about their personal safety.

https://www.safety4kids.com.au/safety-zone/stranger-danger/yell-and-tell