Health & Wellbeing
Mrs Monkman
Special Education Needs Lead
Nurture Worker
Learning Mentor
Nurture is designed to be a bridge between home and school; a place where children can feel safe and secure and therefore develop their individual needs further.
Nurture is part of the school’s Inclusion and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) provision. Its purpose is to offer children opportunities to support their social and emotional development. There is much research evidence that children’s learning is most effective when they have a sense of emotional well being, good self esteem and a feeling of belonging to their school community. Nurture provides children with this opportunity and so helps to develop their maturity and resilience.
Before children attend nurture provision parents are informed by letter and requested to sign a permission slip.
Nurture provision for every child
Nurture support is not limited to specific individuals or groups, as we embed nurturing principles and practice at a whole school level, providing appropriate support for all pupils attending our school. We utilise strategies to overcome difficulties through the provision of a social and emotional curriculum in every year group. This aims to develop their social skills and understand their emotional needs. This enables many children to be successful in their academic learning.
Which children attend small group/individual nurture sessions?
Children may attend sessions for specific reasons, for example:
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Friendship difficulties – keeping/making friends
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Quiet, shy, withdrawn
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Find it hard to listen to others or join in
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Disruptive towards others
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Find it hard to accept losing a game
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Find it hard to share and take turns
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Find it a bit difficult to settle into class
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Bullying
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Low self esteem
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Poor relationships with adults in school
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Bereavement
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Family illness or break-up
How long will my child be in the Nurture group for?
Each child’s needs differ from their peers. Children attend for a 4-6 week cycle before reassessment and then further discussion and planning. However the children remain an integral member of their mainstream class and we try to ensure that they do not miss break times, lunch with their class, some PE sessions, some assemblies, guests in school, outings or anything else that may be different from the normal routine of the week.
St Joseph's work closely with Otley Children Services and Catholic Care to support the children’s mental health needs. If you are worried about your child, please contact Mrs Monkman.
Sources of emotional support
See here for a list of emotional support services available in Leeds.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
See here for St Joseph's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing or mental health, speak initially to your child’s Class Teacher(s), Mr Gilhooly (Headteacher) or Mrs Monkman (learning mentor).
Sources of Support for Wellbeing
Samaritans:
Any time free from any phone 116 123
Young Minds:
Parent Helpline 0808 802 5544 free for mobiles and landlines – Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.00pm for concerns relating to child/young person’s mental health up to the age of 25.
The Papyrus Helpline:
If you are worried about someone and need to talk or find out how best to support them www.papyrus-uk.org
Their work deals with suicide prevention call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039 967 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Kooth:
Free safe and anonymous support for 11-19 year olds online. www.kooth.com
Childline:
Resources and activities for children to manage emotions and promote positive mental health.
Contact number 0800 11 11. www.childline.org.uk
CAMHS:
Children’s Adolescent Mental Health Service - single point of access for advice and support.
Leeds MindMate:
Single Point of Access - MindMate or call 03005550324.
If you are worried about a family or individual: Leeds Children’s Social Work Services: 0113 222 4403 (Weekdays, 9am to 5pm, excluding Wednesdays when open from 10am), you don't need to give your name if you don't want to.
Parents / Carers additional support / advice
Anna Freud Centre helping children and young people to manage anxiety booklet. This guide offers approaches for school staff or parents and carers to help children and young people manage anxiety during this period https://www.annafreud.org/schools-and-colleges/resources/helping-children-andyoung-people- to-manage-anxiety/
ELSA Support provides downloadable resources which are ready to print and use. Focus on emotional support and wellbeing for the family https://www.elsa-support.co.uk
NSPCC support and advice for parents and carers https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support- for-parents