Wellbeing & Support
Mental health and wellbeing are important because we recognise that a rounded education is about the ‘whole child’. Meridian Trust schools are places where students are not only encouraged to flourish academically, but are also supported throughout all of the challenges of their adolescent lives.
Over the coming months, this page will be developed to capture and share all of the work that is currently undertaken by the Academy to support our students on their journey through education and their preparation for later life
We currently offer our students a diverse range of both internal and external services in the form of counselling, mentoring and Personal, Social, Health, Education (PHSE) lessons, as well as access to specially trained staff including Student Support Assistants (SSAs). However, we really want to do more.
As a Trust, we have developed a Trust wide strategy that will develop our provision to ensure we are equipping students with a range of tools and techniques to encourage self help and build skills they can draw upon in times of challenge or difficulty.
We will also be taking steps to improve staff wellbeing in a bid to ensure a happy and secure teaching and supporting body.
We will be working towards the achievement of the Carnegie Centre of Excellence Mental Health Award and the development of ‘Mindfulness’ in schools, working closely with the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP).
Our Current Wellbeing & Support Services
Students have opportunities to discuss their concerns with their Tutor as well as develop an understanding of the support available through assemblies, registration activities and Academic mentoring. There is regular signposting of support which takes place during activities with tutors, assemblies and on our House notice boards.
House Offices
The SSA (Student Support Assistant) for each House is trained in Child Protection and is able to offer advice to students and parents in regards to these matters in conjunction with the Child Protection Lead, Mr. Wilson.
All of our SSAs have specialist skills in regards to aspects of welfare and support. These are shared amongst the team but include:
- Youth Mental Health and Mental Health First Aid
- Supporting Young Carers (Centre 33 runs a lunchtime group to support students)
- Domestic Violence
Many students regularly meet with their SSA or Senior Tutor as part of welfare support being offered at SVA.
Sanitary products (both pads and tampons) are always available from House Offices and E14 (Core Studies room).
Core Studies Subject Specialists
Through the Core Studies curriculum and the teaching team, students receive lessons in a wide range of welfare topics and support is available to them. In addition, students can also access the c-card service through Mrs. Gilbert in Core Studies. We are in the process of getting an additional member of staff trained in this service.
Counselling
The Academy currently pays for a limited number of counsellors to come into the school to visit and support students. These are allocated on a priority of need basis.
School Nurse
SVA regularly make referrals to the school nurse service. This can be for a range of issues but will allow a student to meet confidentially with a qualified NHS nurse.
Early Help Assessment (EHA)
Where support is needed beyond what the school can offer or outside of the school’s remit, an EHA can be completed through the school to request additional support through the County Council district teams where a threshold is met. This could give access to a family worker or a young peoples worker for example.
Online Services
We sign post students directly (and through parents) to online services provided through the Country Council, NHS and charities:
Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop. https://www.kooth.com/
Keep Your Head brings together reliable information on mental health and well-being for children, young people and adults across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. https://www.keep-your-head.com/
ChatHealth is a secure NHS approved text messaging service that is run by our school nursing team in the Cambridgeshire Healthy Child Programme. Chathealth
NHS Mood Zone
Whatever you need to know about coping with stress, anxiety or depression, or just the normal emotional ups and downs of life, the NHS Choices Moodzone is here to help: NHS Mood Zone