Schools have a host of pastoral support approaches to help promote positive pupil wellbeing.
If you have a child/children who need support with their wellbeing, or you are a pupil in need of support, speak to your school in the first instance to communicate these issues so that support can be offered timely and help prevent further issues down the line.
For some children and young people, this support may simply be light touch or school may recommend specific interventions or approaches including PERMA, Thrive, ELSA etc and the school is best placed to explain their approach to supporting wellbeing. Other pupils may need counselling support, Educational Psychology support or mental health services that school can also help guide and refer to when needed.
We also have central and commissioned services within RCT that can support with wellbeing. Your child’s school can help refer to these services but there are also ways in which you can contact us for advice and support. These agencies include:
- Attendance and Wellbeing Service (support with children aged 5-16 where attendance may be a concern or where a wellbeing issue is impacting education)
aws@rctcbc.gov.uk
01443 744298
- Youth Engagement and Participation Service (support children and young people aged 11-25 with a range of issues as shown on the website below)
yeps@rctcbc.gov.uk
www.yeps.wales
- Education Psychology Service Parental Support Line (runs 2/3 afternoons per week offering parents the opportuning to discuss any concerns regarding the wellbeing and/or learning needs of children)
Arrange a 30 minute consultation slot by emailing EPS@rctcbc.gov.uk with your telephone contact number and brief overview of the advice/support required
- Eye 2 Eye Counselling Services (counselling services for children and young people aged 7-30, wider criteria can be found on the website below)
www.eyetoeye.wales
01443 202940
There are also tools and resources that children and young people can access themselves to support their mental health and wellbeing. In RCT young people can access:
- Kooth (online mental health support aimed at secondary school age learners)
www.kooth.com
Further advice on children and young people’s mental health services can be accessed via numerous charities and the NHS websites. Examples of which are below:
Family engagement is a key focus for us as an Education Directorate and your child(ren)’s school may have a Family Engagement Officer who can offer support and help signposting. If you are in need of wider family support, you may also wish to visit the webpages of the Resilient Families Service for more information including how to self-refer for support.