At Hillside First School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our children and staff and recognise how important mental health and emotional wellbeing is to our lives in just the same way as physical health. 

We recognise that children’s mental health is a crucial factor in their overall wellbeing and can affect their learning and achievement.   There are some common life events that may affect you or your child's Mental Wellbeing:

• Loss or bereavement.
• Loneliness.
• Relationship problems.
• Issues at school.
• Worries about money.

At Hillside, 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 (e.g. ELSA) - For those who may have short term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement.

Targeted support (e.g. school referral to outside agency) - For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as wellbeing groups or personal mentors.

Lead Staff Members

Our Family Liaison Officer and Deputy Safeguarding Lead, Mrs Harris works with many of our children who require personal, social and emotional support to manage thoughts, feelings and times when they may feel worried or upset.  Mrs Harris also works with the families of these children to offer additional support and to engage in activities to work with each other positively.  She is available for parental engagement upon request.

In order to help their children succeed, schools have a role to play in supporting them to be resilient and mentally healthy.  Schools can be a place for children and young people to experience a nurturing and supportive environment that has the potential to develop self-esteem and give positive experiences for overcoming adversity and building resilience.  For some, school will be a place of respite from difficult home lives and offer positive role models and relationships, which are critical in promoting children’s wellbeing and can help create a sense of belonging and community.

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 and ‘dare to be different’
• help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks

Support

We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, may need additional emotional support.   Here you will find links to a variety of external support services and wellbeing activities available for download.

                   

                     

What is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)?

CAMHS is an NHS service that supports children with serious mental health related issues.  A CAMHS referral can be made by the school or via your GP.

Kooth is an online platform to help young people with their mental health and wellbeing.  It’s a welcoming space for your child to safely explore their feelings. They can anonymously talk to other people their own age on moderated discussion forums, and chat to mental health professionals via messaging.
We’re a BACP-accredited digital mental health service, and provide free services through the NHS.
Our team of professionals are trained to offer clinically-safe advice while lending a supportive ear for whatever your child’s facing.