Wheatfields Primary School

SEMH

Social Emotional and Mental Health

The World Health Organisation’s definition of mental health and wellbeing 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”.

 
 
WHEATFIELDS MENTAL HEALTH:
 

At Wheatfields we recognise the importance mental health plays in our pupil’s ability to learn and progress academically. We have a designated SEMH lead, Mrs Parkinson-Rose (nee Cutbush) who works full time. Her role within school is to contribute to promoting good mental health and emotional well-being amongst pupils of all ages. She plays a key part in identifying emerging social, emotional and mental health needs of pupils through strong communication with both staff and parents/carers. As part of the role the SEMH lead may refer pupils, identified as 'at risk of developing mental health difficulties', on to health professionals for appropriate specialist support, with parental consent.

Mrs Parkinson-Rose has undertaken the following training:

  • Senior Mental health lead training through Trauma Informed Schools UK
  • Diploma in Skills and Theory for Counselling Young People 
  • Higher certificate in Psychology
  • Mental Health First Aider at Work
  • Recovery Through Relationships training
  • FASD training
  • DDSL trained (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead)
  • CTT Tutor (Cambridge Therapeutic Thinking)
  • Domestic Abuse Lead training


We aim to improve children's social, emotional and mental health and remove any barriers to their learning, ensuring that they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are aware of the crucial contribution that school-based provision for mental health and well-being can play to improve children and young people’s mental health. We are confident that provision, such as we offer at Wheatfields, can help to create a culture of openness, can ensure that potential mental health problems are identified at an early stage and that children and their families can access support in a safe and familiar environment, without the stigma often attached to mental health.

Support available

  • Working with parents/carers to access Target Support through an EHA (Early help Assessment)
  • Referrals to MHST (Mental Health Support Team), Younited, Ormiston
  • Supporting children and their families through bereavement
  • Supporting children and their families through separation/divorce
  • Supporting children of incarcerated parents
  • Signposting families to specific support out of school
  • Supporting  families struggling financially (Foodbank vouchers)


Support, information and advice for children

  • Through-out the school year, children at Wheatfields will be presented with information, advice and support surrounding mental health and how they can nurture their own well-being;
  • Children’s Mental Health week each February will see a range of activities, class discussions, assemblies and parents/carers being invited into school to take part in activities with their child;
  • PSHE lessons from the Cambridgeshire PSHE Service- these cover a wide range of topics
  • A children’s mental health and well-being information notice-board is situated in the reception corridor, it offers a wealth of information for children on what to do if they are worried about themselves or a friend and who they can speak to;
  • ‘Let’s talk’ box in each classroom – adults from the class will check these boxes regularly and speak to children about any concerns or worries they may have;
  • Open door policy to speak with Mrs Parkinson-Rose
  • Every year we take part in Anti-Bullying Week as a whole school.  This involves a whole school assembly and class discussions. We use this work to inform and support the children and update our anti-bullying display with the children’s work;
  • NSPCC assembly takes place each year


Information and advice for parents/carers

  • Here on the school website we offer this dedicated page full of advice and support for parents and carers on a number of topics. Contact details for the SEMH lead in school are provided below;
  • We invite parents/carers to webinars and workshops which are run by MHST (Mental Health Support Team), both in school and online
  • We hold Coffee mornings/afternoons in partnership with MHST, Katie Smith (Educational Inclusion Family Advisor), our SEMH lead (Mrs Parkinson-Rose) and our SENDco (Mrs Probert) in attendance. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents / carers / grandparents to come into school and find out more about the support available;
  • Mrs Parkinson-Rose is happy to meet with any parents/carers who wish to discuss concerns.


Contact our SEMH Lead

If you have a question, please feel free to reach out directly to Mrs Parkinson-Rose:

mcutbush@wheatfields.cambs.sch.uk

Call the office and ask to speak to Mrs Parkinson-Rose

Contact her directly via Class Dojo

The book is aimed at parents/carers of children, between ages 5-12, who are experiencing difficulties with anxiety.

"In this book we aim to give a clear, straightforward step-by-step approach to help you to help your child, based on up-to-date relevant research and our clinical experience of working with hundreds of families who have experienced similar difficulties."


Self-referrals - NHS

We are pleased to let you know that the NHS Mental Health Support Team offer online self-referrals. Please see the attached poster for more details.