Supporting Children's Mental Health

Supporting the wellbeing of every child

At Newall Green Primary School, we believe that positive mental health and emotional wellbeing are essential to children’s learning, relationships and ability to thrive.

We want every child to feel safe, valued, listened to and supported. We recognise that children can experience worries, difficult emotions and challenges at different points in their lives, and that asking for help is an important part of growing and learning.

Our approach to wellbeing is not something that happens only when a child is experiencing difficulties. Mental health and emotional wellbeing are an important part of everyday school life.

We promote positive mental health through our relationships, our curriculum, our pastoral support and the wider school environment.

Our whole-school approach

We take a whole-school, inclusive and nurturing approach to mental health and wellbeing.

This means that all members of our school community have a role to play in helping children to feel emotionally safe and supported.

We place particular importance on:

• positive and trusting relationships between children and adults;

• helping children understand and express their emotions;

• developing resilience and positive coping strategies;

• helping children recognise when they need support;

• creating calm, predictable and supportive environments;

• reducing the stigma around talking about mental health;

• listening to children's views and experiences;

• identifying concerns as early as possible; and

• working closely with parents, carers and external professionals where additional support is needed.

Our approach is informed by relational and trauma-informed practice. We recognise that behaviour can sometimes be a form of communication and that children may need help to feel safe and regulate their emotions before they are ready to learn or solve problems.

Mental health and the curriculum

Mental health and emotional wellbeing are taught through our PSHE curriculum, alongside wider opportunities such as assemblies, themed activities and whole-school initiatives.

From Nursery through to Year 6, children are supported to:

• recognise and name their emotions;

• understand that everyone experiences worries and difficult feelings;

• develop strategies to manage their emotions;

• build resilience;

• understand the importance of looking after their mental health;

• develop positive relationships; and

• know how and when to ask for help.

Our teaching is age-appropriate, sensitive and focused on giving children the knowledge, language and confidence they need to look after their wellbeing and seek support when necessary.

Support when a child needs more help

We use a graduated approach to supporting children's mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Universal support

All children benefit from:

• supportive relationships with trusted adults;

• opportunities to talk about feelings;

• PSHE and wellbeing education;

• clear routines and consistent expectations;

• opportunities to develop emotional literacy and resilience; and

• an inclusive and nurturing school environment.

Targeted support

If a child needs additional support, we may provide strategies such as:

• regular check-ins with a trusted adult;

• opportunities for children to share their views and worries;

• listening support;

• worry boxes and other communication tools;

• peer or buddy support;

• small-group wellbeing or SEMH interventions;

• Drawing and Talking;

• counselling or equivalent support; and

• support coordinated through our pastoral or SEND teams.

Support is based on the individual needs of the child and is reviewed regularly.

Specialist support

Where a child has more complex or persistent needs, we may work with parents/carers and appropriate external services.

Depending on the child's needs, this may include support from:

• Educational Psychology;

• CAMHS or other mental health services;

• GPs and health professionals;

• Children's Services;

• Early Help;

• M-Thrive; and

• other specialist services.

School-based support complements specialist services and does not replace professional diagnosis or treatment.

Working with parents and carers

Parents and carers are important partners in supporting children's wellbeing.

If you have noticed a change in your child's behaviour, mood, friendships, attendance or emotional wellbeing, please talk to us.

You can start by speaking to your child's class teacher or contacting the school office. Where appropriate, concerns can then be shared with a member of our pastoral, SEND, safeguarding or mental health team.

We aim to work together with families to understand what a child is experiencing and identify the right support.

Listening to our children

Children's voices are central to our approach.

We provide age-appropriate opportunities for pupils to share their views, feelings and concerns. Children may be involved in discussions about the support they receive and what helps them to feel safe, calm and ready to learn.

We recognise that children communicate in different ways and will make appropriate adjustments to help every child have their voice heard.

Mental health and safeguarding

The wellbeing of our pupils is closely connected to safeguarding.

Sometimes changes in a child's emotional wellbeing or behaviour may indicate that they are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, abuse, neglect, exploitation or another form of harm.

Our staff are trained to recognise concerns and follow the school's safeguarding procedures. Mental health concerns are never managed in isolation where there may be a safeguarding risk.

If you have a safeguarding concern about a child, please see our Safeguarding Information page.

Looking out for changes

Children can show emotional distress in different ways.

Parents and carers may notice changes such as:

• increased anxiety or worry;

• withdrawal or tearfulness;

• changes in behaviour or emotional responses;

• difficulties managing emotions;

• changes in friendships;

• reduced enjoyment or engagement in school;

• increased absence or reluctance to attend;

• unexplained physical complaints;

• changes in sleep or appetite;

• low self-esteem or negative self-talk; or

• behaviour or comments that cause concern about a child's safety.

A single change does not necessarily mean that a child has a mental health difficulty. However, if you are concerned about your child, please talk to us. Early conversations can make a significant difference.

Our Wellbeing and Mental Health Policy

Our Pupil Wellbeing and Mental Health Policy sets out our approach in more detail.

Read our Pupil Wellbeing and Mental Health Policy

If you are worried about your child

If you have concerns about your child's emotional wellbeing or mental health, please contact the school.

You can speak to:

• your child's class teacher;

• a member of the pastoral team;

• the SEND team;

• our Senior Mental Health Lead;

• the Designated Safeguarding Lead; or

• the school office.

You do not need to wait until a problem becomes serious before asking for help.

If you are worried, please talk to us.

Useful support

We will add links here to appropriate and current local and national sources of support for children, young people and families.

These may include:

• Manchester's Local Offer

• Manchester mental health and wellbeing services

• NHS mental health support

• CAMHS

• Kooth

• Childline

• NSPCC

Please speak to the school if you are unsure which service may be appropriate for your child.

Our commitment

At Newall Green Primary School, we want every child to feel:

Safe. Valued. Listened to. Included. Supported. Ready to learn.

We are committed to creating a school community where children can talk about their feelings, develop resilience and know that it is okay to ask for help.

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