Health & Wellbeing
Well being at St. Joseph's
Well-being is when pupils are able to develop their potential, learn and play creatively. Well-being at school means feeling safe, valued and respected, being actively and meaningfully engaged in learning and play.
At St Joseph’s, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support.
At our school, we promote a mentally healthy environment through:
- Promoting our school values and encouraging a sense of belonging
- Promoting pupil voice and opportunities to participate in decision-making
- Celebrating academic and non-academic achievements in order to promote self-esteem
- Providing opportunities to reflect
- Access to appropriate support that meets their needs
- Helping children to understand their emotions and feelings better and to feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
- Helping children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks
- Learning about mental, physical and emotional health
- Enriching our curriculum through World Mental Health Day
- All staff receiving annual Mental Health training
- Quite reflection areas in the Prayer room
We 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 socially speaking, daily check ins, precision teach.
Lead staff members to contact if you are concerned about your child’s mental health:
Mrs Wood (SENCO); Miss Hannah Gill (Mental Health Champion)
Staff Wellbeing Charter
The Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust are fully committed to promoting and fostering positive well-being for pupils and staff across all their schools.
A happy and healthy workforce is vital for the success of our pupils. The culture of a school therefore is critical in ensuring that staff have an enjoyable, rewarding working environment in which all colleagues believe the demands of their job are reasonable and manageable.
The Wellbeing Charter demonstrates our commitment and offer to staff, and ensures that levels of stress and anxiety are reduced as low as possible in the organisation.
Useful Links
Place2Be - Improving Childrens Mental Health
NHS - Every Mind Matters, Children's Mental Health
Mental Health
Why we must never stop talking about children and young people’s mental health
Better mental health starts with a conversation. Achieving that first step – mustering the courage to share something so deeply personal and troubling – needs support, understanding and encouragement. This is especially true for children and young people. If you have any concerns about a child's mental health or wellbeing we are here to help and if we cannot we will signpost you to those who can.
If you think you may need help in any way please contact our DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead : Mrs N Wood) as soon as possible.
Alternatively you can contact:
Lancashire Children and Family Wellbeing Service:
text: 07786511111
tel: 0800511111
web: www.lancashire.gov.uk/youthzone
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services is the name for NHS-provided services in the United Kingdom for children, generally until school-leaving age, who are having difficulties with their emotional or behavioural well-being. CAMHS services are organised locally
https://eastlancsccg.nhs.uk/patient-information/your-health/children-and-young-people-s-health/camhs-child-and-adolescent-mental-health-services
https://elht.nhs.uk/services/east-lancashire-child-and-adolescent-services
Alternatively
https://www.healthyyoungmindslsc.co.uk/information/family-and-carers
If you are in a crisis
It is important to keep yourself safe. If you feel suicidal or have hurt yourself; let an adult know as soon as you can. It may be that the safest place for you to be assessed is through A&E at the hospital.
You can talk to somebody directly 24 hours a day at:
ChildLine (Free 24 hours) 0800 1111
Samaritans 08457 90 90 90
The Reading Well
