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Health and Well-being

D’Eyncourt Primary School

Well-being 2021-22

Our vision at D’Eyncourt is clear for all:

We aim to be our BEST – Be kind and caring, Excel in Learning, Show Respect and Take on Challenges

All children will have equal access to a broad and balanced curriculum and will be given every opportunity to fulfil his/her potential. We have worked together on creating our aims and vision for the school moving forward. These are what the governors (including parent governors), pupils and staff wanted for our school.

Our School Aims

  • To foster an ethos of the high expectations and aspirations.
  • To promote the highest academic standards through hard work, enthusiasm and the belief that everyone can learn and grow.
  • To provide opportunities for everyone to foster their creativity.
  • To create resilient, life-long learners.
  • To give all pupils a voice in a safe, secure and happy environment.
  • To prepare pupils to become positive citizens of the future.
  • To make sure that all members of the school community feel valued and appreciated.
  • To involve our parents in school life, working together for the best possible outcomes.
  • To celebrate our achievements both academic and personal.
  • To enrich our pupils’ lives and broaden their experiences through a wide variety of clubs, activities and visits.
  • To make learning fun!

It is widely recognised that a child’s emotional health and well-being influences their cognitive development and learning, as well as their physical and social health and their well-being in adulthood. The Department for Education recognises that in order to help pupils succeed, schools have a role to play in supporting them to be resilient and mentally healthy.

Our Well-being Aims

Through teaching the children, training the staff, involving our parents in our shared vision and having a whole school approach to the importance of healthy bodies, healthy minds, acts of kindness and happiness for all we can support our D’Eyncourt community to be happy, healthy individuals. Through our curriculum, we talk to the children about mental health, particularly through assemblies, story time, PE and PSHE and well-being sessions. Our children are learning that we all have mental health and that, just like physical health, sometimes we can feel fantastic, but other times we might not feel so good. They understand and accept that we all have times when we don’t feel good about things and that to have someone that we can talk to can make all the difference.

We have a Change Team in place, including staff, children, parents and governors who are driving our vision. Our staff understand that it is crucial that we all share this message – and use it for ourselves too.

We aim to:

  • Ensure that through the promotion of positive emotional health and well-being, children are helped to understand and express their feelings, build their confidence and emotional resilience and therefore their capacity to learn.
  • Increase the awareness and understanding and reduce stigma amongst children, staff and parents/carers of issues involving the emotional health and well-being of young people and to provide support at an early stage to anyone who is or appears to be suffering from mental health issues.

Our Staff Team

Well-being is every member of staff’s responsibility. We are lucky to have such a dedicated and experienced team that cares passionately about every child they have the pleasure of working with. The following members of staff have responsibility for well-being- they are the Change Team and they ensure we have a strategic approach to well-being:

Member of Staff Position
Miss S Ford Assistant Headteacher
Mrs L Claybrooke Leader of Health and Well-being
Mrs D Darby Headteacher
Mrs E Palmer Assistant Headteacher
Miss N Gill Leader of PHSE and trained Mental Health First Aider
MIss L Hennessy HLTA

The Well-being ‘Change Team’ will incorporate the following into their roles:

  • Delivering staff supervision, training and CPD in relation to well-
    being and mental health
  • Drive positive well-being across the whole school community
  • Lead on the application for the well-being award for schools (WAS)
  • To plan and create an action plan for the WAS process
  • To evaluate the impact and outcomes based on the action plan
  • Engaging parents and promoting family well-being
  • Regularly gather feedback from staff, pupils and parents and take appropriate action as a response

The Change Team are supported in school by the School Council children and designated Well-being Ambassadors in each class who meet regularly and discuss the well-being of their peers in school.

What is Well-being?

Although definitions vary – and some feel that it is hard to define – there is broad agreement that well-being refers to the quality of people’s lives. It is about how well we are, and how our lives are going. There are many ways to define well-being, and that is a discussion in itself.

For this guidance, we define ‘well-being’ as referenced in the widely accepted World Health Organisation definition of mental health:

“Mental health is defined as 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.”

At D’Eyncourt, we believe that to be successful in school, pupils need to feel safe, happy and confident. We believe that when we get well-being right, pupils will achieve their academic potential and ability.

How do we promote a positive mental health?

  • Promote knowledge and understanding of both internal and external support services.
  • Encourage and support the whole school community to be positive in its approach to mental health well-being
  • Provide guidance and support to all those connected with the organisation to help them develop confidence in their ability to manage mental health and emotional well-being.
  • Provide appropriate training and information to staff on mental health and emotional well-being.
  • Have named Change Team who are the contact point at D’Eyncourt Primary who are responsible for co-ordination and delivery of the school’s mental health and emotional well-being strategy
  • Seek to embed mental health and emotional support across the curriculum.

What do we do if we believe a child or member of staff needs support?

Any member of staff who is concerned about the mental health or well-being of a child should speak to the Mental Health Lead in the first instance. If there is a fear that the student is in danger of immediate harm then the normal child protection procedures should be followed with an immediate referral to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Designated Assistant Safeguarding Lead. Any other Safeguarding concerns that are non-urgent should be recorded via CPOMS.

The Governing Body’s ‘duty of care’ towards employees, legislation and case law, require them to manage and safeguard the physical and psychological well-being of the school’s employees. We need to have a clear understanding of the causes of absence in order to formulate strategies that address non-attendance (sickness absence). The Governing Body will continue to promote and work towards performance improvement and efficiency, getting the very best from our staff. Well-being in the workplace is relevant to all employees and everyone can contribute to improved well-being at work. Addressing workplace well-being can help strengthen the positive, protective factors of employment, reduce the risk factors for mental ill health and improve general health.

To fulfil this commitment the Governing Body and Senior Leadership Team will:

  • Make health and well-being a core priority. Value the strategic importance and benefits of a healthy workplace.
  • Make clear the link between employees’ health and well-being and improved performance.
  • Ensure all leaders including Senior leaders and Governors, are committed to the health and well-being of staff and act as good role models
  • Make communication clear to ensure that staff have realistic expectations of what’s possible, practical and affordable.
  • Be aware that a return to work from sickness does not necessarily indicate that an employee’s health and well-being has improved.
  • Recruit staff who have the positive leadership traits associated with improved staff health and well-being. These traits include being open and approachable and encouraging new ideas.
  • Ensure health and well-being policies are included in any induction, training and development programmes for new staff.
  • Have a proactive and visible commitment to health and safety and its role in improving the health and well-being of staff, that is, view health and safety as part of the culture of a caring and supportive employer – not only a statutory requirement.
  • Create a supportive environment that enables employees to be proactive when and if possible to protect and enhance their own health and well-being
  • Seek to identify potential circumstances that may affect the well-being of staff and conduct risk assessments.

What do we do to identify any well-being issues?

  • Whole school well-being surveys – for children, parents and staff
  • Parent, teacher, peer and self-identification of needs
  • PSHE curriculum in place with well-being focus
  • 1.1 support identified
  • Group support identified

What do we monitor in school?

  • PSHE and well-being sessions timetabled regularly
  • 1.1 sessions planned where necessary (Tracey Brandwood to support with this) and SLT to monitor
  • Targeted group support is identified for those children who need emotional support
  • Regular celebration and reward assemblies recognise achievements in supporting well-being/demonstrating resilience.
  • Targeted coordination of academic support where needed
  • Whole staff training and support
  • Student voice established
  • Ongoing development of website well-being page
  • Availability of relevant literature around the school (and available on Class Dojo) for children and in reception for parents and visitors
  • Whole school and parent events/engagement
  • Well-being resources in school suitable for all year groups
  • Mental health and well-being days/weeks focusing on specific areas as identified by staff and parents.
  • Safeguarding

Strategic Overview

To implement the vision, the Head teacher and Governors committed to appointing Miss Ford  to the role of designated lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing. The Mental Health and Wellbeing lead will be responsible for promoting the wellbeing and positive mental health of pupils, staff and parents. She is substantively supported in this role by the Headteacher and SLT, and all will further be supported by the Change Team.

Well-being Strategy

The aim of our strategy is to explain what provision is on offer, how and who will ensure it is offered and when and how this will be monitored. The strategy will be reviewed regularly by the Wellbeing lead and Senior Leadership team.

 

Aim:
Who will this affect?
Links to themes

Accountability:
What we will do to achieve this. By who?

Desired Outcomes

Evaluation and Ongoing Review

Objective 1

The whole school is committed to promoting and protecting emotional well-being and mental health by achieving and maintaining the well-being award

Pupils, Staff and Parents/Carers

Theme 1
Providing information about the award

Theme 2
Understanding the importance of emotional well-being and mental health

Theme 3 Understanding my role in promoting emotional wellbeing and mental health
  • Wellbeing Lead and SLT to introduce the award to all stakeholders, gain the commitment of the Headteacher and Chair of Governors
  • Wellbeing Lead and SLT to enlist a change team to include a variety of staff, pupils, parents and Governors across the school community.
  • Change team to audit and evaluate where we stand with supporting mental health and wellbeing for staff, pupils and parents
  • Change team to create an action plan for the process and monitor it at regular stages.
  • Questionnaires to be sent out to all stakeholders to gain valuable feedback about the current offer for emotional health and wellbeing
  • All staff, pupils and parents have a deeper understanding the WAS process.
  • Be fully committed to embracing change for positive outcomes of support for mental health and wellbeing for all stakeholders at the school
  • Achieve the Wellbeing award for schools and further develop the inclusion of mental health and wellbeing within the whole school culture.
  • An enhanced provision of mental health and wellbeing to our pupils, staff and families will be established
  • Mental health first aider appointed and trained/ updated appropriately
  • The award ensures that health and wellbeing are at the heart of all decision making
  • All stakeholders are committed to embracing change for positive outcomes of support for mental health and wellbeing
  • Training provided and planned for whole school community – ongoing to ensure provision is embedded
  • CPD planned for all staff and regular updates for parents/ carers

Objective 2

The school has a clear vision and strategy for promoting and protecting emotional well-being and mental health

Pupils, Staff and Parents/Carers

Theme 2 Understanding the importance of emotional wellbeing and mental health

Theme 5 Developing a culture that views mental health positively

Theme 6 Encouraging people to talk about mental health issues
  • A vision statement has been created by SLT that embeds our desired outcomes
  • The Strategy has been shared with the whole school community via the school website and Class Dojo
  • Our provisions will be reviewed regularly by Wellbeing Lead and SLT and how well we currently support wellbeing and mental health.
  • Consider risk factors for pupils and complete mental health screening as appropriate or as requested.
  • Wellbeing Lead and SLT to create a whole-school approach for emotional wellbeing and mental health
  • SLT to ensure the school policies are in line with the school’s vision on mental health and wellbeing
  • The whole school community understand the vision and embraces any learning around this by committing to the strategy.
  • The whole school community play a part in creating the vision and is included in the action plan.
  • The school’s provision for supporting wellbeing and mental health is greatly enhanced.
  • All staff involved in working with children within the school community have a clear understanding of the risk factors for vulnerable pupils.
  • Policies reflect the school’s mental health and well-being vision.
  • All stakeholders will continue to be updated with information regarding mental health and wellbeing
  • All stakeholders have a clearer understanding of what wellbeing means and a richer knowledge of mental health issues
  • The school will be able to facilitate learning gaps around mental health and wellbeing
  • An environment will be created where everyone accepts and understands that positive mental health and well-being is the responsibility of all

Objective 3

The school has a positive ethos which regards the emotional well-being and mental health as the responsibility of all

Pupils, Staff and Parents/Carers

Theme 4 Ensuring emotional well-being and mental health is seen as the responsibility of all

Theme 5 Developing a culture that views mental health positively
  • Staff to deliver a clear PSHE curriculum with room for children to share their feelings in a safe environment
  • Wellbeing lead and SLT to organise and deliver raising awareness activities for staff, pupils and parents and make a record of these events.
  • SLT to create a culture for staff to share concerns/ worries with one another and support implemented
  • Wellbeing is celebrated and part of the whole school culture
  • An environment is created where everyone accepts and understands that positive mental health and well-being are the responsibility of all.
  • The School have created an environment that releases the stigma around mental health.
  • Links with the whole school community and stakeholders will drive the school’s vision forward.
  • All stakeholders will have a clearer understanding of what wellbeing means and a richer knowledge of mental health issues. Information updated regularly
  • The school will be able to facilitate learning gaps around mental health and wellbeing.
  • Staff and parents will be able to recognise emotional health issues and respond appropriately

Objective 4

The school actively promotes staff emotional well-being and mental health

Pupils, Staff and Parents/Carers

Theme 4 Ensuring emotional wellbeing
and mental health is seen as the responsibility of all

Theme 11 Supporting staff emotional wellbeing and mental health
  • SLT and business manager to discuss a budget for staff in order to positively promote mental health and wellbeing in our workplace.
  • Regular CPD implemented
  • Appraisal policies and procedures changed to specifically support the emotional wellbeing of staff – SLT to implement
  • Feedback and evaluations take place regularly to gauge the well-being needs of staff.
  • Regular staff wellbeing questionnaires will be completed every 2 years and the results from these analysed.
  • Finances through the school budget will be set aside for staff wellbeing and resources.
  • Staff provided with a space to explore their emotional well-being within the school appraisal systems
  • An ‘open door’ environment will be created where mental health is an openly talked about subject, therefore the stigma around mental health will be less.
  • Greater involvement of all staff will improve relationships, morale and access to support for all.
  • Ongoing communication improvements to be made between staff, incorporating wellbeing into all aspects of school life
  • School to continue to network with outside agencies or services that can provide support
  • Regular updates on the school website and school SharePoint site

Objective 5

The school prioritises professional development and learning about emotional well-being and mental health

Pupils, Staff and Parents/Carers

Theme 7 Promoting professional development and training for emotional wellbeing and mental health

Theme 9 Identifying and acting on mental health issues
  • Staff development on emotional wellbeing and mental health will become part of the SSE by SLT
  • Skills audits will take place by SLT and any gaps in knowledge will be filled with mental health training, both for short- and long-term progress.
  • School will deliver a programme of mental health training for all staff across the school community, this will include SLT, Teachers and Teaching Assistants.
  • The school will regularly assess the confidence among staff in responding appropriately to mental health concerns.
  • The school will ensure all staff are trained to use CPOMS.
  • Staff gain a greater depth of knowledge about mental health needs and be able to respond appropriately.
    • SLT has a clear understanding of staff CPD needs for positive well-being and provides continuous quality training for all staff; this will enable staff to manage pupils with mental health needs in the classroom and school environment.
    • School will facilitate staff wellbeing needs, whilst improving productivity within the workplace.
    • School will have procedures for dealing with any mental health or wellbeing concerns
  • Staff offered regular training and support where necessary
  • SSE is updated regularly to ensure emotional health and well-being is prioritised
  • Ongoing training is provided to ensure Jigsaw PSHE scheme is addressing all needs in school
  • Evaluations are completed following any events to gain valuable feedback

Objective 6

The school understands the different types of emotional and mental health needs

Pupils, Staff and Parents/Carers

Theme 8 Ensuring confidence and capacity among staff in addressing emotional wellbeing and mental health

Theme 9 Identifying and acting on mental health issues

Theme 10 Supporting pupil emotional wellbeing and mental health

Theme 11
Supporting staff emotional
wellbeing and mental health
  • All pupils and staff will complete regular mental health questionnaires to raise any concerns and these will be acted upon appropriately by SLT
  • The school will network with any outside agencies or services, ensuring an information-sharing process is in place.
  • The school will provide a range of emotional health interventions for pupils and parents. Regular feedback and evaluations will take place to ensure good practice and positive outcomes by SLT
  • Pupils needing support will be identified
    and their provision recorded on CPOMS
  • A list will be created for signposting referral services, this will include, social care, NHS and wellbeing services within the LA.
  • The school has a clear idea of the emotional needs of its pupils, parents and staff.
  • Interventions will facilitate any mental health needs across the school.
  • Impact data evaluates the process and a referral strategy is in place
  • A tiered approach is in place to match support around individual needs, including referral to CAMHS for Tier 3+ support.
  • School know who the vulnerable children and adults are in the school environment and support is given.
  • Signpost and agency services are visual for all stakeholders, these will be shown in the allocated section for mental health and wellbeing on the school website
  • Staff and parents/carers offered regular training and support where necessary
  • SSE is updated regularly to ensure emotional health and well-being is prioritised and different types are identified – effect of COVID 19
  • Ongoing training is provided to ensure Jigsaw PSHE scheme is addressing all needs in school
  • Evaluations are completed following any events to gain valuable feedback
  • Staff to update CPOMS regularly when there are any concerns and acted upon quickly by SLT

Objective 7

The school actively seeks the ongoing participation of the whole school community in its approach to emotional well-being and mental health

Theme 12 Engaging the whole school community in emotional wellbeing and mental health issue

Theme 9 Identifying and acting on mental health issues
  • The views of staff, pupils and parents took at regular intervals to gain an insight into ongoing needs for wellbeing
  • All members of the school community to be fully involved in the national ‘Mental Health’ weeks that take place each year organised by Wellbeing lead
  • Regular feedback questionnaires will take place to evaluate the school’s approaches to mental health and wellbeing
  • SLT to develop the website to ensure up-to-date resources are accessible
  • The School have a clear understanding of the emotional needs of its staff, pupils and parents.
  • Parents, staff and children are regularly consulted
  • Evaluations take place at regular intervals to understand the schools’ need for continuing to create positive well-being for all stakeholders.
  • An enhanced provision of mental health and wellbeing to our pupils, staff and families will be established
  • All stakeholders are committed to embracing change for positive outcomes of support for mental health and wellbeing
  • Training provided and planned for the whole school community – ongoing to ensure provision is embedded

Objective 8

The school works in partnership with other schools, agencies and available specialist services to support emotional well-being and mental health

Theme 12 Engaging the whole school community in emotional wellbeing and mental health issue

Theme 9 Identifying and acting on mental health issues
  • The school has networks with other schools to share good practice of well-being and mental health support
  • A list of agencies and services will be created by SLT and shared with staff and parents via the school website.
  • School will enlist key staff to represent the school at mental health forums. They will share this information and new learning with the school staff.
  • The school will participate with local commissioning arrangements such as CAMHs, Educational Psychologists, teams, behaviour support and Public Health services.
  • The school will gain feedback from its partnerships of work and ongoing future arrangements will be made
  • The school has a strong network with other schools to share approaches around outstanding mental health and wellbeing support for all stakeholders.
  • The school has established strong links with outside services and agencies, therefore creating an effective referral process
  • School continuously takes part
    in future commissioning projects and consistently gains feedback from all stakeholders on any needs for future services.
  • Key staff will be continuously trained in the mental health field and will attend any mental health forums to keep up to date with any changes in mental health learning and approaches.
  • SLT will continue to liaise with outside agencies and where appropriate seek further support for individual children, staff or families
  • All stakeholders continue to work together to discuss emotional wellbeing

Download Wellbeing Strategy

Anna Freud

CAMHs Resources

Childline

Kidscape

Mental health foundation

Mind

Nhs

NSPCC

Patnership for children

 

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young minds

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