Mental Health and Wellbeing
Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health is one of our priorities at Abbotswood. In the curriculum and through our assemblies, we ensure children understand that mental health is as important as physical health and that it needs to be looked after in the same way. We also teach that mental health may not constantly be 'good' but can be improved using strategies that can be learnt and practised.
Mr Adams (Pastoral, Safeguarding and Child Support Worker) and Ms Gonzalez (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) have completed the DfE-funded Senior Mental Health Lead training. They are the school's Mental Health and Wellbeing Champions for staff and children. They ensure that the curriculum and ethos of the school supports positive mental health for all members of the Abbotswood community.
The school also has a Room 5 Team that works with children and families to support them. This team includes Mr Adams, Mrs Williams, who is the school's ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant), Mr Emm, who is the school's Learning Support Worker, and Mrs Evans, who is the Parent Support Advisor. Mr Adams and Ms Gonzalez also work closely with the Hampshire CAMHS Schools’ Operational Group to increase the support we can offer within the school.
Our school has a Positive Mental Health Policy and this provision map shows the four levels of support available.
If you are concerned that your child needs more support than we currently offer them, please contact their class teacher or Mr Adams.
There are many websites and resources that can help you provide support at home.
For children and families
Hampshire CAMHS has ideas for supporting children and young people from an early stage through to referral:
https://hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk/help/parents-carers/
Hampshire Local Authority has some resources that families can use:
Anna Freud is a mental health charity for children and families. The website includes resources for children and families.
Place2Be is a children's and young people's mental health charity. The website includes resources to support children and families. This includes advice about how to prepare children for primary and secondary school.
YoungMinds is a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
For adults:
It is vital that adults also look after their mental health and wellbeing. The links below are for a few organisations that offer support and guidance for adult mental health and wellbeing.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services
This link lists all the support available in Hampshire for adults: