Well Being and Mental Health

What makes a Social, Emotional and Mental Health friendly School?

• Meet and greet every morning/lesson.
• Positive check-ins, as personalised as possible e.g. ‘I like your new hair cut’, ‘I can see you’ve got a new coat’ etc.
• Demonstrate that the child is being ‘kept in mind’ (e.g. I was thinking of you when…).
• If possible identity a ‘key adult’ and provide regular opportunities for the child to ‘check in’ with them.
• Clear and consistent routines, expectations and boundaries.

• Use of a visual timetable.
• Prepare the pupil for any changes to their routine.
• Break tasks into small steps to promote feelings of success.
• Use of a timer to delineate tasks and aid concentration.
• Give the pupil a job or role of responsibility.
• Consider seating the pupil next to a supportive peer/good role model.
• Respond in a calm and predictable manner and be aware of your own body language and facial expression.
• Use positive statements to redirect the pupil to the desired behaviour.
• Maintain high expectations and be mindful of labelling the child.
• Identify any possible triggers to behaviours (ABC charts, STAR charts, etc.).
• Give the pupil choices to allow them to feel more in control (although choices can sometimes overwhelm the child).
• Give compliance/take up time to allow the child to process their choices.
• Validate and empathise with the pupil’s emotions and set limits on behaviour where necessary e.g. ‘It’s okay to feel angry, it’s not okay to hit’.
• Use of social stories to teach particular social skills.
• Use of metaphors to describe emotions.
• Use of a stress scale to turn emotions into more concrete concepts as appropriate e.g. The Incredible 5 Point Scale. 
• Ask the child to draw how they are feeling.
• Offer the pupil a movement break or walk.
• Access to mindfulness activities e.g. deep breathing, squeezing and relaxing muscles, focus on their five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).
• Use of a time out or exit pass to indicate to staff when they are feeling emotional and need to leave the classroom.
• Access to a safe a quiet place for the pupil to go when they are emotionally dysregulated.
• Be available to reconnect with the pupil following conflict.
• Adult support to help the pupil repair relationships and to problem solve.
• Staff CPD focussing on social, emotional and mental health needs.

There are also a number of useful websites which you may access by clicking on the links below containing information about a variety of family issues.

Resources – Be Kind To My Mind
Winston’s Wish: Support and information for parents, carers and professionals supporting children affected by death. Tel: 08088 020 021 
Once Upon A Smile: A dedicated bereavement hub for families in Greater Manchester. Tel: 0161 711 0339 
Grief Encounter: Support for children and families when somebody close dies. Tel: 0808 802 0111   
BBC Bitesize: Useful information for parents and young people regarding transition to secondary school    
Family Lives: Providing support and advice to families. Tel: 0808 800 2222
NSPCC: Providing support for parents and families in caring for children
Relate: Support, advice and information for families experiencing a variety of family life problems, not just marital. There is a live chat facility available
Young Minds: Help and support for parents regarding mental health issues in young people. A parent helpline is available. Tel: 0808 802 5544
Kooth: Help and advice for teachers and parents relating to mental health issues
Mind: Help and support for parents offered by a mental health charity. Tel: 0300 123 3393
Childline: A counselling service for parents, children and young people. Tel: 0800 1111
Gingerbread: A charity supporting single parent families to live secure, happy and fulfilling lives. Tel: 0207 428 5400
Cruse: Offering support, advice and information to children and young people when someone dies. Tel: 0808 808 1677
AnxietyUK: A charity offering confidential advice and support for those with anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression. Tel: 03444 775 774
Mermaids: Family and individual support for gender diverse and transgender children