Mental Health & Wellbeing

We are mindful of the pressures facing young people and recognise that at times, some of our students may need some extra emotional support. 

 

Through our Personal Development programme (inc PSHE and RSE) we provide students with various strategies that they can use to help them face the day-to-day challenges of life, and signpost them to useful resources that might be of help to them at different times.  However, we recognise that sometimes students can need a bit more support.

Different services and approaches suit different students. At Uffculme School, we have a number of ways, in and out of school, to help support our students.  Students can speak to their Tutor, Head of Year or Subject Teacher if they have any concerns or worries and are finding it difficult to cope.  There are also other places that students can go to for support.

In-School Support

 

Where students need additional support with their mental health and wellbeing this can be accessed through the following routes:

Tutor and/or Head of Year

These are the people that work most closely with students and will therefore be best placed to discuss any concerns that might arise. Depending upon the situation they may then link the young person with a specialist member of staff who can work with them and their family to ensure they receive the help they need.

School Secretary

Mrs Alford is available throughout the day. She plays a vital role in supporting many students at the school with a range of needs. This includes medical problems, anxiety and social issues. Mrs Alford is also well placed to offer advice about who may be the best member of staff to approach for any help or assistance that you might require.

 

Student Welfare

Ms Hammond, our Student Welfare Officer, is based in school and is here to provide additional emotional support.

Mrs Parkhouse is our Student Welfare Manager.

School Nurse

Parents and carers can make direct referrals via the School Nurse Hub:

E-mail - easternphnhub@devon.gov.uk

Phone - 0333 234 1903

Students can ask to see the school nurse via Mrs Alford, or they can text the School Nurse Team directly via ChatHealth on: 07520 631722

Useful Contacts and Resources

 

Below is a list of charities and organisations that provide support to children and/or their families where there are issues around mental health and wellbeing

ChatHealth

ChatHealth is a text service for young people aged 13-19 at secondary school to reach out to the School Nurse team for confidential advice on a wide range of issues such as bullying, emotional health and wellbeing, sexual health as well as illnesses.

For more information please visit: Home Page - ChatHealth

Phone: 07520 631722

 

ChildLine

Childline is a free and confidential service. It offers children and young people a safe way to explore their worries however big or small. Support is available by phone or online any time, day or night, plus there is a lot of information and advice on their website on a wide range of issues.

For more information please visit: Childline | Childline

Phone: 0800 1111 (Freephone)

 

The Mix

The Mix provides safe and confidential group chat and discussion boards, plus messaging support services and telephone counselling for young people under 25. You can visit the website, call the freephone number, or if you need help immediately you can also text The Mix on their crisis messenger text service which provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you’re aged 25 or under, and are experiencing any painful emotion or are in crisis, you can text THEMIX to 85258.

For more information please visit: The Mix - Essential support for under 25s

Phone: 0808 808 4994 (Freephone)

 

Young Minds Parents’ Hub and Helpline

If you are a parent needing help with your child’s emotional wellbeing you can contact the Young Minds Parent Helpline on 0808 802 5544, or visit their website, which has lots of excellent advice and information including topics such as ‘starting a conversation with your child’ and ’20 activities for 20 minutes’.

For more information please visit: Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds

Phone: 0808 802 5544

 

Kooth.com - Online Counselling Service for Young People

Young people aged 11 to 18 years have access to online advice, self-help tools and counselling through Kooth.com. This is available 365 days a year and interactive counselling is available until 10pm every night.

For more information please visit: Home - Kooth

 

Young Devon

Counselling is being offered via Zoom video link where possible, and there is currently about a 6 week waiting list. Young Devon is also offering face to face counselling, but the waiting list is a bit longer.  

To request support, the young person will need to complete their online referral form at:  Wellbeing | Young Devon

Phone: 07935 364 652

Email:  yes.exeter@youngdevon.org

 

Tiverton Youth Centre – Space Youth Services

Tiverton Youth Centre offers a safe and supportive social space for young people. They offer fun and informative activities every session – and each week has a packed programme with challenges, cooking and crafts for young people to participate in. Aside from all the fun, their youth workers offer group and 1-1 support, or advice on issues that affect young people; like relationships, alcohol and drug use, or support with peer pressure and general mental well-being.

For more information please visit: Tiverton — Space Youth Services

 

Papyrus UK – Suicide Prevention Charity

Support for young people thinking about suicide

For more information please visit: Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org)

HopeLine 0800 068 4141

 

Child Bereavement UK

For more information please visit: Child Bereavement UK

Phone: 0800 02 888 40

Self Help Resources

 

The following websites, apps and courses provide useful sources of self-help for young people and families around mental health and wellbeing

Anxiety Canada

Information to help young people manage anxiety plus self-help strategies for many disorders.

Website address: Anxiety in Youth - Anxiety Canada

Living Life to the Full for Young People

Free online course covering low mood, stress and resilience especially for young people. Work out why you feel as you do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm, tackle upsetting thinking and more.  Use Code YPVC84475 to access for free

Website address: LLTTF for Young People (llttfyp.com)

 

Understanding your Brain (for teenagers only)

Find out what's happening in your brain! Your brain changes as you hit adolescence. See how the changes in your brain explain some of the changes in your behaviour.

Use the code TAMAR to access the course for free!

Website address: Online Learning (heiapply.com)

 

Dove Self-Esteem Project: FREE Resources for Parents

The Dove Self-Esteem Project is all about boosting children and young people’s self-esteem and body confidence – and supporting parents to start important conversations at home. The free parent resources from Dove UK and Parent Zone include:

  • Uniquely Me Parent’s Guide – a 40-page booklet full of guidance and practical checklists for families to use together

  • Podcast, which dives deeper into some of the issues covered by Uniquely Me

  • Expert information and advice on Parent Info

To access these resources please visit: Parenting teens: Dove Self-Esteem Project resources

Parent Plus Adolescent Programme

An evidence-based parenting course promoting effective communication and positive relationships in families with adolescents aged 11 to 16 years.

  • Free to attend.

  • Programmes run for 8 weeks of 2.5 hrs each week.

  • No sessions during school holidays.

  • Refreshments included.

  • At various locations across Devon also online groups available.

Further information and contact details - Type PPAP into search function on www.pinpointdevon.co.uk. If interested please send an enquiry to: parentplusinformation@devon.gov.uk.