Skip to content ↓

Park House School

Supporting Mental Health

Park House School recognises that we all have mental health. We want to foster a culture of openness around the issues linked to mental health and emotional wellbeing and to encourage all members of the school community to be proactive in taking steps to develop positive mental health. 

If you have concerns about a young person and their mental health, in the first instance, please contact their Head of Year for support. They will then refer the student for appropriate support. If a young person is at risk of harm, please contact the Safeguarding Team.

The DfE guidance on promoting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing identifies eight principles to promote a whole-school approach. We have a whole-school focus on improving mental health awareness and support for students and for staff. This includes exploring themes in PSHRE lessons and assemblies and working alongside mental health charities and organisations.


 

Support for Students: A graduated approach:

Support with mental health should be implemented using a graduated approach.

Universal offer

A calm and focused learning environment. School values that are living values to promote respect and value diversity. Assemblies and PHSE sessions that help everyone identify what mental health is, strategies to manage poor mental health and where to seek further help. Encouraging participation in extracurricular activities and clubs to promote self-esteem, wellbeing and belonging. Student Voice influencing school provision through our Wellbeing Ambassadors. Each tutor group has a representative who meets to discuss whole-school mental health and well-being.

Wave 1: Light support

Students referred via SRP (Student Referral Panel)  to receive low-level, short term intervention to support with mental wellbeing to include:

  • Peer Mentoring
  • Morning check-in (with appropriate staff e.g. Learning Support, Safeguarding, Tutor)
  • Group workshops on managing anxiety e.g. exam anxiety workshops
  • Group sessions on strategies to manage anxiety, build resilience, strengthen mental health (agreed strategy to be used, tracked and reviewed)

Wave 2: Targeted Interventions

Students referred via SRP if low-level intervention has not had an impact, or if the circumstances warrant a higher level of support:

  • Counselling – Time to Talk counsellors in school
  • Weekly session with member of Safeguarding Team, Assistant SENDCo or SENDCo (agreed strategy to be used, tracked and reviewed)

Wave 3: Higher Level Professional support/intervention

  • Specialist referral – Anxiety & Depression or Social Anxiety Clinic
  • MHST referral (West Berkshire Mental Health Support Team) 
  • CAMHS referral (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)

If you have any concerns about your child or any student here at Park House, please contact the Head of Year in the first instance. A serious concern where someone is at risk of harm should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). 

Further support can be found on the below websites.