Selby High School

Mental Health & Wellbeing
Parent Information

Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community (World Health Organization).

For too long children and young people’s mental health has been veiled in shame, guilt and invisibility. Parents have struggled to find help for their children or known how best to support them.  Selby High School is aware that for some of our students Mental Health and Wellbeing concerns hinder their progress and development, and that is why as a school be believe that having good policies and procedures to Mental Health and Wellbeing at the core of our philosophy is critical to ‘unlocking potential’.

Statistics

  • One in ten children and young people aged 5 to 16 have a clinically diagnosed mental health disorder and around one in seven has less severe problems.
  • It is estimated that half of all mental health problems manifest before the age of 14 years, with 25% enduring mental health conditions being present by the age of 24 years. Yet less than half receive treatment at the time;
  • There has been an average increase in referrals of 25% to targeted Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
  • Nine out of ten children and young people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination.

(Young Minds Annual Report 2015-16)

Commitment

Selby High School is committed to developing a whole school positive mental health and wellbeing ethos heart and which raises awareness and understanding and reduces stigma amongst students, staff and P’s, C’s and Guardians. Selby High School aims to help our students to discuss their feelings, build their self-confidence and emotional resilience and therefore their capacity to learn. Teaching students the signs of poor mental health and self-help techniques to support good mental health is key as well as providing support at an early stage in school.

Policy & Strategy for SEMH

  Positive Social, Emotional, Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy 2017-2018

  SEMH & Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2019

  Self-Harming Policy 2018-2019

How to make referrals / local support

Healthy Child Team: 01609 780780

The 5-19 Healthy Child Service is a progressive universal programme which includes universal services appropriate for all children and young people, and additional services for those with specific needs and risk factors. The 5-19 Healthy Child Service works in community settings to deliver universal and targeted interventions designed to meet public health outcomes and ensure the emotional and physical health and wellbeing of families, children and young people across North Yorkshire are met.The 5-19 Healthy Child Service is the first point of contact for schools when there are concerns about a child’s health and wellbeing. Professionals can refer families to the service by completing the “Referral to Children and Family Service” form or by calling the Customer Resolution Centre single point of contact on 01609 780780. Parents, carers and young people themselves can access the service for support and information by calling the Customer Resolution Centre single point of contact on 01609 780780.


Compass Reach: 01609 777662

Compass REACH is an innovative specialist service that helps young people who are engaged in risk taking behaviour to make sustainable lifestyle changes to improve their long-term health, resilience and emotional wellbeing. Compass REACH provides the full range of specialist interventions required by young people who have been screened as having moderate or high levels of need with regard to their substance misuse and/or sexual health.

Compass REACH Young people aged from nine to 19 (and up to 25 for those with special educational needs or disabilities) across North Yorkshire affected by substance misuse, poor sexual health and issues relating to emotional wellbeing and mental health, can access free help, advice and practical support at Compass REACH. Support usually takes place in school or in a place that suits you.

Tel: 01609 777662     Freephone: 0800 008 7452     Email: NYRBS@compass-uk.org

 

Compass Buzz Us:  07520 631168 

BUZZ US: If you're aged between 11 and 18 and live in North Yorkshire, and you are experiencing issues with eating, stress, low mood, emotions, self harm, bullying, self esteem or anxiety, you can text a wellbeing worker on 07520 631168. 

CAMHS community child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).Single Point of Access (SPA): 01904 615345.

CAMHS Crisis Team: Tel: 01904 615348 (open 10am to 10pm every day).

Our journey so far

The school is currently undertaking the Wellbeing Award for Schools to test the provision and current systems for SEMH&W against rigorous criteria.  This award was developed in partnership between Optimus Education and the National Children’s Bureau (NCB).  It is a whole-school award, which focuses on ensuring effective practice and provision is in place that promotes the emotional wellbeing and mental health of both staff and students.  The award has a focus on changing the long-term culture of a school, and embedding an ethos where mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all.

Over the last year, the school has made significant changes to improve the Mental Health & Wellbeing provision in the school, building of the good practice that was already in-place.  The following summarises some of the actions that have been taken:

  • A new Positive Social, Emotional, Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy and SEMH Strategy  has been ratified and agreed by the Governors;
  • A ‘Change Team’ of staff has been developed to engage with the mental health and wellbeing needs of the school community;
  • The views of staff, students and P’s,C’s and Guardians have been collected and published. From these views actions have been taken and informed the school Self-Evaluation and development plans;
  • Good Mental Health and Wellbeing provision has become a core aim of the school;
  • All staff have undertaken Mental Health and Wellbeing training including training delivered by an Educational Psychologist on Motivational interviewing, emotion coaching, mindfulness & resilience;
  • The school has a team of Mental Health First Aiders and a Suicide First Aider;
  • Each curriculum areas have made a ‘Promise’ to promote Mental Health and Wellbeing matters within the curriculum;
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing signposting is now available in multiple formats around the school, numerous Form Activities and Assemblies have been undertaken to support Mental Health and Wellbeing matters;
  • Staff have received a range of publications to support CPD in relation to Mental Health and Wellbeing;
  • The school has in place ‘Staff Wellbeing Weeks’;
  • The school has engaged with external organisations to promote good Mental Health and Wellbeing e.g. Compass Buzz and the Samaritans;
  • Student well-being ambassadors have been trained appropriately via the Worth-it programme to offer peer listening & support;
  • The school council has its own Mental Health and Wellbeing council and student voice is a critical aspect of promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing matters in the school;
  • The school has a range of drop in sessions for students who may be experiencing Mental Health and Wellbeing concerns;
  • Mentors are in-place to support students with anxiety or other Mental Health and Wellbeing concerns and a good information sharing system is in place to support the needs of students appropriately.

 

             

 

↑