The wellbeing of all our children is central to their development, it enables them to thrive and flourish, to ‘live life to the full’.
Christ Church Junior School is a vibrant, inclusive and inspirational school that strives to keep the wellbeing and safeguarding of children at the centre of all we do. Our staff, families, church and governors harmoniously work together to encourage children to flourish as people as well as learners in a setting where every child is empowered, their background celebrated and their mental health protected. Our church school approach is seen through our values-led curriculum, holistic approach to each individual and community focused experiences which enable every child to value, engage, inspire and create.
Please click on the following link: CCJ Mental Health Policy 2021-2022
Positive mental wellbeing is essential if children and young people are to flourish and lead fulfilling lives. We teach the children that it is important to talk about their feelings – positive or negative. By talking and listening to others and through maintaining a positive outlook towards problems or barriers, solutions can be found and mental health remains strong. We believe in paying more attention to the present moment – to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you. This can improve your mental wellbeing. This awareness is known as "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help us to enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. It is proven to improve a child's ability to focus and can be a great help in times of stress when used as a way to calm down. We believe well being is all about our holistic health including physical and emotional.
Often, life events that are outside our control can damage our mental health, and this is made worse if we feel powerless to do anything about them. One of the ways we can re-gain a sense of control and nourish our mental health is to remember ‘the five ways to well-being’ which have been found in research to improve mental well-being in children and adults.
Useful links
Some useful resources that you could use at home to support your child’s mental health are below:
YoungMinds provide young people and children with reassurance and advice to help them make positive choices for their mental health and know what to do next if they are struggling. The Young Minds website has also produced a parents survival guide if you are worried about your child.
A useful website for Parents and Children to access help and advice with issues related to mental health and well-being. The website includes local information about mental health and wellbeing and an A-Z of information.
Kooth offers emotional and mental health support for children and young people aged between 11 and 24. On Kooth, qualified counsellors are online seven days a week to provide young people using the service with free, safe, anonymous online counselling, through chat-based messaging via drop-in or booked sessions.
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families offer parents and carers resources offer advice and guidance to help support the children and young people who may be struggling with poor mental health.
- To support parents and carers who are trying to navigate the mental health system on behalf of or in support of a child or young person
- To help parents and carers to stay connected with their child to find solutions together
- To help parents and carers communicate to schools, colleges and extended family
- To highlight the importance of looking after yourself as a parent or carer
- To signpost to trusted organisations who may help support a child or young person and their family and advocate on their behalf.
Happy Maps
A website of information to help you if you are worried about your child's behaviour or mental health. You may be waiting for a specialist service but there is a long wait or perhaps you've been told the problem isn't quite serious enough to be referred to a specialist. Happy Maps will provide you with information to help you support your child.
South Gloucestershire Mental Health and Wellbeing Directory of Services for Children and Young People
The South Gloucestershire Mental Health and Wellbeing Directory of Services provides a place for children and young people, their families, and professionals to get quick, easy and direct access to up-to-date mental health and wellbeing information in South Gloucestershire.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Bristol and South Glos CAMHS work with children and young people, up until their 18th birthday, who are experiencing moderate to severe, complex and enduring mental health difficulties. This means that their difficulties are having an impact in more than one area of their life (eg home, school, hobbies, friendships) and have been present for over 3 months and have been getting worse despite other interventions being tried.
If your child is referred to us with severe or life-threatening mental health conditions they are seen urgently within 7 days.
The assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism or ADHD are ordinarily done via paediatrics but may come to CAMHS if they additionally are struggling with any of the above.
Currently, a referral to CAMHS is by a professional who knows and has recently seen your child. This may be the GP or the school SENDCo will make referrals or speak with the CAMHS primary mental health specialist for advice if they are concerned about one of their pupils.
The Community Children’s Health Partnership website has further information on the CAMHS service.
Our role in school is to ensure that children are able to manage times of change and stress, and that they are supported to reach their potential or access help when they need it.
Children are taught when to seek help, what help is available, and the likely outcome of seeking support so that they have the confidence and knowledge for themselves or others. We also have a role to ensure that children learn about what they can do to maintain positive mental health, what affects their mental health and how they can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Good mental health and wellbeing is just as important as good physical health. Like physical health, mental health can range across a spectrum from healthy to unwell; it can fluctuate on a daily basis and change over time.
At Christ Church Junior School we promote a mentally healthy environment through:
- Promoting our school values and encouraging a sense of belonging
- Helping children to understand their emotions and feelings better and to feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
- Providing opportunities to reflect
- Access to appropriate support that meets their needs
- Helping children socially to form and maintain relationships
- Promoting self esteem and ensure children know that they count
- Encouraging children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’
- Helping children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks.
We offer different levels of support:
Universal Support– To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos, school values 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 separation or bereavement.
Targeted support– For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions. As part of our targeted provision, we have and continue to access support from outside agencies and wider professionals. Making referrals where needed and required.
Lead staff members to contact if you are concerned about your child's mental health and wellbeing:
- Sadie Groves - SENDCO, Accredited Youth Mental Health First Aider
- Tracy Eatwell - Inclusion Lead
- Charlotte Byrom and Sharon Bryan - ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants)
