Wellbeing and Mental Health at Allerthorpe School
We are committed to providing all our learners with rich and diverse experiences which promote their wellbeing, as well as their personal and social development.
We know that to secure positive outcomes for our learners, promoting and prioritising positive mental health is essential.
At our school, we offer a range of core therapies which are carefully chosen and delivered to have the maximum positive impact on learner’s emotional wellbeing and resilience.
Our core therapies include one-to-one counselling sessions, Pet Therapy, Thera-play, Art Therapy, Lego Therapy, and “Talkabout”, a social skills development programme.
We work with NESTT, therapeutics training services in Pocklington, who work with children and families with complex neurodevelopmental history and differences.
We also have a Wellbeing Champion who supports our staff team through a number of initiatives, including, undertaking welfare checks, organising monthly wellbeing events, contributing to Friday Treats, signposting for support including coordinating with other professionals as required, and being a voice in the Senior Leadership Team for staff wellbeing.
Young Minds
YoungMinds offers free confidential online and telephone support to anyone worried about the emotional and mental wellbeing of a child or young person up to the age of 25.
- call the free parents’ helpine on 0808 802 5544 from 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday
- email parents@youngminds.org.uk and YoungMinds will respond to your query within 3 working days
Young Minds Matter
Young Minds Matter support children and young people via a range of methods, over the phone or via video or face-to-face (if appropriate).
Young people up to the age of 19 can contact them Monday to Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm on 01472 252570 to discuss any worries or concerns. Outside of these hours the all age crisis 24/7 line can be used.
MindEd for Families
MindEd for families is a branch of MindEd, intended to support parents and those caring for children and young people.
MindEd is an online e-portal offering free, simple advice about children and young people’s mental health for all adults.
Although MindEd is aimed at professionals, parents and carers may also find the information helpful.
Kooth Online Counselling
Kooth is a free, safe, confidential and non-stigmatised way for young people to receive counselling, advice, and support online 365 days a year.
They provide:
- a text-based chat/messaging function
- a schedule function to provide booked sessions with a named counsellor on a regular basis – depending on risk and need
- a range of forums which are pre-moderated, offering facilitated peer support
- live discussion groups
- an online magazine
- information, activities and self-care tools and resources.
Kooth is available for 11 – 25 year olds with the website available at all times at https://www.kooth.com/.
Counsellors are available to chat, Monday to Friday from 12:00pm to 10:00pm and on weekends, from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.
Other Useful Links
We are advocates of the NHS’s Every Mind Matters campaign and are pleased to share a number of resources below which can support in times of emotional distress or overwhelm.
- 10 Simple Stress Busters
- Mindfulness
- Calming Breathing Exercises
- Relaxation and Mindfulness Apps for your phone
- The NHS’s Anxiety Control Training audio guide
- The BBC’s help with Emotional Distress.
- NHS Mental Health Services
- www.camhsresources.co.uk
- The Children’s Society
- MHFA England’s Talking Tips
- MHFA’s Helpful Resources for Young People’s Mental Health
- Childline
- www.samaritans.org
- NSPCC | The UK children’s charity | NSPCC
- Find a Food Bank – The Trussell Trust
