Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Policy

At St Bernard’s, we are committed to promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing to all students, their families and members of staff and governors. The school's caring ethos and environment has a major impact on staff wellbeing and there is a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Through the use of effective policies and procedures we ensure a safe and supportive environment for all affected – both directly and indirectly – by mental health issues. Mental Health issues often begin during school aged years. Early intervention is crucial. The school’s role in this is summarised in four points – prevention, identification, early support and access to specialist support.

At St Bernard’s there are clear expectations of behaviour. St Bernard’s is a calm, safe predictable environment. Staff and student's wellbeing is promoted implicitly through lived values and attitudes and through the curriculum. Mental Health is not stigmatised. All staff understand behaviour as a method of communication and there is flexibility in the behaviour policy to allow for behaviours that are the result of emotional difficulties.

There is a clear pathway of identification and referral, both internally and to specialist services. Families, outside agencies and the wider community are proactively engaged in the life of the school. The designated mental health lead is a trained member of staff who is responsible for the school's approach to mental health.

All staff have had training in mental health – spotting signs and symptoms, knowing what to say and where to get further help.

You can talk to any member of staff about your wellbeing.

Each form group has a Wellbeing Representative.  All Wellbeing Reps have taken part in training and will be able to point you in the right direction if you need support.

Students Online Resource List:

• Child line https://www.childline.org.uk/ Phone - 0800 1111
• Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/ Phone - 116123
• Shout https://giveusashout.org/ Text 85258
• NHS https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/social-care-and-your-rights/how-to-access-mental-health-services/
• Kooth https://www.kooth.com/
• The Mix https://www.themix.org.uk/
• Number 22 https://number22.org/
• Beat - https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/i-need-support-now/helplines/ 0808 801 0677
• Alumina - https://www.selfharm.co.uk/

Staff Wellbeing Representatives

Staff Online Resource List:

• Mind - https://www.bucksmind.org.uk/
• Safe Haven - https://www.bucksmind.org.uk/services/safe-haven/
• Talking Therapies - https://talkingtherapies.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/
• Education Support - https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/resources/for-individuals/

Please contact your child’s Head of Year if you need to discuss your child’s mental health and wellbeing.

Parents and Carers Online Resource List:

• NHS Every Mind Matters - https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/supporting-others/childrens-mental-health/
• Young Minds - https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline-and-webchat/ 0808 802 5544
• Action for Children - https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/?_ga=2.120778568.1109026092.1675258272-1396163006.1675258272
• Child Bereavement Network - https://childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/resources/managing-death-and-bereavement-during-covid-19
• Beat - https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/support-someone-else/tips-for-supporting-somebody-with-an-eating-disorder/
• Mind - https://www.bucksmind.org.uk/

Slough Borough Services https://www.sloughfamilyservices.org.uk/kb5/sloughcst/directory/results.page?qt=mental+health&term=&sorttype=relevance

The Young Health Champion Programme has been running for four years and St Bernard’s has been involved since the beginning. Each year in February six Year 12 students are selected to take part in the course. Students who complete the programme will receive a Level 2 Royal Society of Public Health qualification — equivalent of a GCSE — and are expected to plan and deliver emotional wellbeing campaigns. The initiative is led by the local charity – Aik Saath/Together As One.

At our school the Young Health Champions take a leading role with assemblies and Mental Health and Wellbeing drop down days.