Wellbeing and Mental Health
Sandwell Mental Health Wellbeing and Emotional Health Directory
Here is a list of local services that support wellbeing and emotional health. The information was correct at the time of publication. The list of resources and information on this page is no indication of endorsement. Please use resources thoughtfully.
Ollee; the digital friend
Meet Ollee: the digital friend boosting children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. Ollee is a digital friend that supports parent and child communication, particularly around what can be difficult topics. It supports a child’s and a family’s emotional well-being by promoting discussion and enabling children to express themselves. It’s designed to help children reflect on how they feel.
So how does it work? First, children pick a subject they want to talk about. Then, they choose an emotion they are feeling. It could be worried, stressed, happy, confused, or another emotion. With prompts such as, “I feel lonely”, “no one listens to me” or “I am being bullied”, Ollee then gives children supportive advice about that subject and how they feel. The Ollee app is free to download and available on Apple and Android devices. You can also follow the link, to sign up here:
Attendance, wellbeing and mental health
High attainment, confidence with peers and staff and future aspirations depend on good attendance. Good attendance is important because statistics show a direct link between under-achievement and absence below 95%. Regular attendees make better progress, both socially and academically.
At Causeway Green Primary School we recognise that some children may find it harder to attend school than others, and can face several barriers. This can include pupils who have long-term mental health difficulties, health needs or who have special educational needs, and disabilities (SEND).
Absence or reduced attendance can sometimes be rooted in emotional, mental health or wellbeing issues. Absence is a complex issue, school staff can support children and their families by focusing on individual needs as part of our school approach to mental health and well-being.
Resources to support children and families:
These resources can help children and their families who are experiencing difficulties with attendance and mental well-being. The resources are divided into materials for use by children, parents and carers, and staff.
Please note that these are not resources that are created by our school, but created by a trusted source - Anna Frued and the Department for Education. Please exercise caution when using the resources.
For Children
Strategies and Toolkit for Primary Schools (Bright Future for Children) - a workbook of evidence-based activities and strategies to support primary school pupils.
Resilience boat worksheet (YoungMinds) - a worksheet for children and young people to help them identify what makes them feel safe and to build their resilience.
For Parents and Carers
Is my child too ill for school? (NHS) - information to help parents and carers understand if their child is well enough to go to school.
Anxiety in children (NHS) - information and advice for parents and carers on the signs and causes of anxiety and how to support their children.
School anxiety and refusal: how parents can help (BBC Bitesize) - guidance on recognising difficulties with wellbeing and attendance and where to seek support.
Supporting your child with school anxiety and refusal (YoungMinds) - guidance for parents and carers on supporting young people with anxiety and attendance.
A parent workbook: supporting your child with school-based anxiety (Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board) - a workbook for parents and carers with activities to help their children understand and manage anxious feelings related to school.
For Staff
Supporting attendance for pupils with mental health issues (Anna Freud) - a CPD-accredited webinar on supporting pupils with their wellbeing and attendance.
Emotionally based school non-attendance: a guide for professionals (Solihull Education Psychology Service) - a PDF guide to support staff to identify issues and implement and evaluate targeted support.
Supporting school attendance podcast (Education Endowment Foundation) - a podcast exploring the evidence for the best ways to support children and young people with school attendance.
What is emotionally based school avoidance? (West Sussex Gov) - guidance and information on some of the common signs of difficulties with attendance.
Understanding attendance (ImpactEd Evaluation) - A report covering the barriers to young people attending school and strategies to support them.
What is emotionally based school avoidance (ESBA)? (Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust) - information on factors that contribute to non-attendance, and guidance on developing a coordinated plan to support affected pupils.
Digital Wellbeing
Our children are growing up in a world where technology has always been present for them, which can have a positive and negative impact on their lives. Digital well-being is about how the internet and technology can make us feel. This includes recognising the impact being online can have on:
Our emotions,
Mental health and wellbeing
Physical health and wellbeing.
Technology and the internet should be there to enhance and simplify our lives rather than be a cause of distraction, worry or upset.
However, not all online experiences are positive for young people, and this can have a negative impact on how they feel about themselves, their friendships and relationships and even how they see the wider world.
Use this link to find out more:
Mentally Healthy Schools
Mentally Healthy Schools is a free website for UK primary and secondary schools and further education settings, offering school staff information, advice and practical resources to better understand and promote pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.
While more than half of all mental health problems are established by the age of 14, the factors that can put a child more at risk of developing a mental health problem can often be identified much earlier. If a child who is at risk isn’t given early support, they may go on to develop a mental health problem. Early intervention is key to giving young people the best start in life. This website aims to give primary and secondary school staff the information and practical resources they need to best support pupils.
Mental Health Lead Resource Hub
For Staff
Education Support
See Education Support. This is a dedicated charity supporting the mental health and well-being of staff in schools. Follow this link to access free resources: Education Support
Employee Assistance Programme
For information on our dedicated and confidential Employee Assistance Programme, please see the details below. See Mrs Flanagan or Mrs Meredith for the school username and password.