Mental Health & Wellbeing
At Oakfield Community Primary School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
Family Support Worker
Hello! My name is Miss Lawton and I am the Family Support worker in school.
Parenting is not an easy job and every day is different with a new challenge! My role in school is to provide support, advice and information to the families within our school community. I can help you with any worries that you may have in relation to your child's education, behaviour and wellbeing. I am also here as someone to talk to if you need it!
I can meet with you in school at a time to suit yourself or over the phone. Advice and support is confidential although concerns relating to the safeguarding of children will always be dealt with in accordance with the school's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
I may not have all the answers, but hopefully I can help you to work out how to find them!
Support for families includes:
Providing information and signposting to other services in the local area,
Liaising with a range of external services such as housing and Social Care,
Assistance in completing paperwork and forms e.g. housing,
Attendance and support at school and other agency meetings,
Advice and support in promoting positive behaviour at home,
Guidance with career and personal development and access to training and workshops in school.
ELSA
ELSA is an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, with a wealth of experience working with children. ELSAs are trained and supervised by the Educational Psychologists. They are trained to develop and deliver individualised support programmes to meet the individual emotional needs of a child.
The support ELSA provides covers a wide range of emotional needs such as:
Anger management
Anxiety and worries
Emotional Awareness
Emotional regulation
Friendship
Loss and bereavement
Relationships
Self Esteem
Social Skills
Nurture
A nurture group is a small group of pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH). The nurture group environment is designed to be welcoming and safe, to support pupils in developing relationships with their peers and teachers, to develop their self-esteem, and to have a greater understanding of and ability to express their emotions.
There are 6 principles of nurture, which are:
Children's learning is understood developmentally
The classroom and school offer a safe base
Nurture is important in the development of self-esteem
Language is understood as a vital means of communication
All behaviour is communication
Transitions are significant in the lives of children.
Some useful links -
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/anxiety/
https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/parents-and-carers/