Mental Health Support
Pastoral Support
At East Peckham Primary we place huge value on children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing and believe when children feel safe, nurtured and have a positive sense of self, they are better equipped to enjoy and engage in their learning. Below is information about the different pastoral interventions we offer in school. The interventions will be decided by the Pastoral Lead and SENCO to ensure the optimum support reaches the children and the schools works within its limitations of resources and time:
Fizzy Cola Club - using the Zones of Regulation and mindfulness, we learn to recognise all the different feelings we have and discover tools and techniques to help us regulate our emotions. Y2 - Y6
Resilience Group - we learn what it means to be resilient. Through focusing on self-care, our support network, and a growth mindset (I can’t do it… yet!), we learn how resilience can help us in every area of life. Y1 - Y6
LEGO Club - a group that helps in developing language and communication skills, and encourages active listening and teamwork. YR - Y6
Drawing and Talking - https://drawingandtalking.com/about-us
Sandplay - a therapeutic intervention that makes use of a sandtray, figures, and sometimes water, to create scenes of miniature worlds that reflect a client’s inner thoughts, struggles, and concerns.
Wellbeing in class through regular whole-class check-in’s, whether that’s circle time, the circle of positivity or the Zones of Regulation.
The Emotional Wellbeing Team
Here at East Peckham Primary, we are linked up with the NHS Emotional Wellbeing Teams - a government initiative with the purpose of promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing for children and young people in schools and colleges - https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/kent-primary-schools
Please see below a list of upcoming EWT workshops:
Understanding Your Child’s Behaviour - Tuesday 14th October 09:30 - 11:30am
Understanding ADHD in Children - Thursday 13th November 09:30 - 11:30am
To sign up to attend any of the above events, please email lsmith@eastpeckhamprimary.org.uk
Involve
Involve is a community-led charity committed to providing holistic health and wellbeing support to people of all ages and circumstances. You can be referred to Involve through your GP.
https://www.involvekent.org.uk/
Slide Away
Slide Away is a Kent-based charity that offers support to children and young people who have been bereaved of a family member or friend and those who have a parent or sibling with a life limiting illness. Slide Away’s vision is for every child in Kent to have access to bereavement support which acknowledges their grief and experience of loss following the death of a relative or friend. If you would like to speak to school about support from Slide Away, please email Mrs Smith at lsmith@eastpeckhamprimary.org.uk, our School Bereavement Contact.
Kent Family Hub
For parents, carers, children, or young people. With Kent Family Hub, you can find advice, support and services to help throughout your family journey, from newborns to 19-year-olds, or up to 25-year olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/kent-family-hub
Kent Local Offer for SEND
Space 2 Be Me
Space 2 Be Me works across Kent with disabled children and young people with additional needs aged from birth to 25 with their families.
The Zones of Regulation
The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum designed to foster self-regulation and emotional control. The idea behind the zones is that by categorising complex feelings that at times we all experience, children can improve their ability to recognise and communicate how they are feeling in a safe and non-judgmental way. Children also learn tools and strategies to help them move between the zones and back to a place of feeling calm and ready to learn (the green zone).
The Zones of Regulation categorises states of alertness and emotions into the four following coloured zones:
The Blue Zone
A low state of alertness, such as feeling sad, tired, unwell or bored. This is when our body and/or brain is moving slowly or sluggishly.
When in the Blue Zone, we can help ourselves by: taking a break, stretching, going for a walk, drawing a picture, drinking some water, talking to a trusted adult.
The Green Zone
A regulated state of alertness. We may feel calm, happy, focussed or content and it is generally the zone children should be in for learning and socialising. Being in the green zone shows control.
We can help ourselves stay in the green zone by: trying our best, practicing our calming strategies, setting a goal for the day, helping others, trying new things.
The Yellow Zone
A heightened state of alertness; however, we have some control when in the yellow zone. We may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, silliness, nervousness, confusion and many more slightly elevated emotions and states when in the yellow zone (such a wriggly, squirmy,or sensory seeking). The yellow zone is starting to lose some control.
When in the Yellow Zone, we can help ourselves by: going to a calm space or for a walk, counting to 20, taking deep breaths, squeezing a stress ball, drawing or writing about it, talking to a trusted adult
The Red Zone
An extremely heightened state of alertness or very intense feelings. We may be experiencing anger, panic, terror, devastation or elation when in the Red Zone. Being in the Red Zone can be explained as being overwhelmed by our feelings and having a lossof control.
When in the Red Zone, we can help ourselves by: stopping what we’re doing, walking away, asking for help, going to a safe space, taking deep breaths.
Ideas to help you further support your child with ZOR at home:
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Openly talk about the different zones and times you experience them (e.g. “I’m feeling frustrated and in the yellow zone. I’m going to step away and take some deep breaths to help me feel better”) then model it. Have a copy of the ZOR feelings wheel to use as a visual (see link below)
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Validate all of their feelings. Feelings are messengers and are there to tell us something. If needed, help give your child language to express their different feelings as you observe them and help them think of strategies they can use to help them back to the green zone.
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Encourage your child in sharing their feelings by praising them when they recognise and name which zone they are in.
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When reading books or watching a film, use the opportunity to discuss which zones different characters might be in and why.
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Create a calm, quiet, safe space your child knows they can go to when they need to regulate. Try and get them involved in creating the space and choosing what goes into it.
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Try building in a time each day when everyone shares a positive/good part of the day and a tricky/bad part. Practice linking the moment in with a zone and talking about a strategy you used in that moment.
ZOR Resources and Feelings Wheel
https://hes-extraordinary.com/zones-of-regulation-free-printables
Books that support ZOR
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Lf0leJIvx_vL80dejUVoWJUU21AIB4n/view?usp=sharing
I am worried about my child's or my own mental health and wellbeing
If you are worried about the mental health and wellbeing of you or your child, please get in touch. Our staff can help and possibly guide you to external services that may be able to support you. Please see below.
Another option is Early Help, who can support families and guide individuals to more support. https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/early-help-support-for-families
Kent Emotional Health and Wellbeing
Kent Emotional and Wellbeing website
From time to time we all struggle with our emotional health and wellbeing. For some children and young people it can be difficult to manage and understand their feelings. Young people might experience a wide variety of difficulties including low mood, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating or might be avoiding school.
Call the Single Point of Access number on 0800 0113 474 between 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and choose option one.
If a child or young person needs urgent help please call 0800 0113 474 or text the word KENT to 85258.
The School Health Team may support you and your child directly or refer you to another provider if appropriate. Our team works closely with the Kent Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service.
ChatHealth
ChatHealth is a text service for 11-19 year-olds. Young people can text with a member of our team about any physical or emotional health concerns they have. This service is available Monday to Friday, 9am on 07520 618850.
This service is confidential and anonymous.
Children and Young People's Counselling Service
We can offer up to six counselling sessions for young people aged 11-19. These sessions can help a young person gain understanding and develop strategies to help them feel better. For primary school-aged children, we can offer the child six sessions with a counsellor, or if more appropriate, we can offer parents six weekly sessions with advice on practical, easy to use strategies to support your child.
These sessions can be offered via video link, phone or in person. If you wish to access this support or find out more please complete our online referral form or call 0800 0113 474.
Supporting a child at home
- The Kent Resilience Hub is aimed at parents of children aged between 10 and 16. It has a range of helpful articles, tools and resources for parents and carers, so that you can increase understanding and find tools and approaches to help build your child’s resilience.
- Good Mental Health Matters is another site that provides great resources to help parents support their whole families emotional health.
Resources for children and young people:
- Kent Youth Health provides health information and advice directly to young people.
- Kooth is a fantastic free online mental health and wellbeing service for young people aged 10 to 25. It’s a place to get advice, information and support 24/7. Watch their video to understand how Kooth can support your child with their mental health and wellbeing.
- Access Moodspark.org.uk to learn about mental health and find tips and resources to keep emotionally healthy.
- Good Health Matters is a great website which can help support a child or young person to make small changes to support their mental health.
Contact the Emotional Health and Wellbeing Team
Getting in touch is easy:
0800 0113 474
nem-tr.kentchildrenandyoungpeoplehealthservices@nhs.net
Complete our online referral form.
We take referrals directly from:
- children and young people
- parents or carers
- schools, colleges and higher education colleges
- other health care professionals or partner organisations
- voluntary agencies.