Supporting your child’s mental health and well-being 

At Twickenham Primary School, we aim to support our children and their families to achieve positive mental wellbeing.

All our staff understand the impact that a change in mental health or well-being can have on a child’s ability to learn and remember.

We are all here to support and guide your children to feel safe and happy.

Parental engagement at Twickenham for mental health and wellbeing support: 

Universal Support

Offered to every parent at our school:

• Parents evenings
• Pupil progress reports
• Online engagement through google classroom and school email
• Mental Health resources and signposting via the school website. 

Offered to every child at our school:

• Wellbeing questionnaires for each pupil termly, with follow ups if needed.
• Daily mindfulness
• A well planned and weekly timetabled RHed/ PSHE curriculum.
• Emotional support from preferred adult
• Worry monsters, reflection area 

We can offer support or guidance to children who are experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate mental health difficulties. This might include anxiety and low mood. We can also signpost to other services if we aren’t the right people to help.

We support parents/carers and children by responding quickly to problems as they are developing in order to prevent further deterioration. This can be helpful if there have been recent changes in your child’s mental health.

Targeted Support

If you would like additional information or support, or just want to discuss concerns about your child, please speak initially with your child’s class teacher.

For further support, you can contact the Mental Health Lead or any of the school’s Mental Health Support Group.  

We can offer:

• Parent signposting to additional support tailored to specific needs
• Additional in school mentoring, coaching or nurture work.
• Provision support advice from a member of the school team. 

The Mental Health Support Group team are:

• Mrs Webb (Senior Mental Health Lead)
• Mr Roe (Inclusion Leader)
• Mrs Holmes (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
• Mrs Martin (RHEd and PSHE leader)
• Mrs Hall-Yates (SENCo)

The school team will also speak with you if we notice signs of difficulties. We will seek yours and your child’s consent (where appropriate) to make a referral for specialist support. 

Specialist support

School, parents and outside agencies working together to target mental health issues for a child with significant needs in order to improve wellbeing.

We know it can be a worrying time for parents and carers. We aim to work together with you as a family without judgement using a supportive, collaborative and problem-solving approach. 

Mental Health Awareness information

Anxiety

Anxiety is a completely normal reaction to threat or danger. When anxiety impacts the daily lives of our children, therapeutic support can be helpful.

Symptoms of anxiety can be different for everyone. Typical signs of anxiety can be withdrawal, avoidance of usual activities, tummy aches, headaches, worrying, difficulties with sleep, being reluctant to be away from home or parents/carers.

Low Mood

It is natural for children to experience periods of feeling low, particularly in response to difficult circumstances in our life.

When low mood persists or starts to interrupt daily activities it’s important to know how to manage symptoms and prevent this from getting worse.

Typical signs of depression could include tearfulness, withdrawal, lack of motivation and energy, sleep problems, irritability, changes to appetite and lack of enjoyment. 

What might help children and young people to manage these challenges?

Physical activity - Take them out for some running about.

Reduced screen time - Switch off to switch off.

Physical space - Fresh air, green space, calm mind.

Sleeping - Refreshed and rested and able to regulate emotions.

Parents and carers - Be there to listen. Accept their feelings. 

Further advice from Mental Health Charities

Place2Be  has a host of mental health resources available. 

Safespot is an iPhone and Android app that promotes positive mental wellbeing in children and young people and has been designed to help children and young people with their coping skills. 

https://www.mindedforfamilies.org.uk/young-people offers advice and resources for families on supporting children’s mental health.

https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-support/supporting-children-and-young-people/  Bereavement and Grief online information, advice and support. Helpline: 0808 808 1677.  

YoungMinds Parent Helpline 0808 802 5544

NSPCC 0808 800 5000

Childline on 0800 1111  

Support specific to Birmingham

https://forwardthinkingbirmingham.nhs.uk/  

Forward Thinking Birmingham 

https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/birmingham-healthy-minds/

Birmingham Healthy Minds

Parent & Family Support Signposting for bereavement
In the first instance it is always advisable to seek support through school.
Your child’s teacher will always be more than happy to discuss any matters which
you feel may impact on learning. The best way to contact them is through google
classroom. Alternatively, you can speak to a member of the pastoral or senior
leadership team, who are always available before school.
There are also some very useful bereavement services available, to help your
children through difficult times. The support and advice you can receive from these
services is from trained professionals, who have experience helping children through
bereavement.

Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to
enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss.
Services are free to bereaved people. The charity provides support and offers
information, advice, education and training services.
www.cruse.org.uk
Tel: 0844 477 9400

Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish, the charity for bereaved children, helps young people re-adjust to life
after the death of a parent or sibling. By providing professional assistance before,
during and after bereavement they help them to better understand the nature of loss
and offer the practical support and guidance that many need in order to cope
throughout the grieving process.
www.winstonswish.org.uk
Tel: 08088 020 021

The Compassionate Friends
Compassionate Friends UK is a peer support group operating in the United Kingdom.
It is a registered charity formed by and for parents whose children have died,
irrespective of the child's age at death and the cause of death, and is independent of
any religious, philosophical or government body.
www.tcf.org.uk
Tel: 0345 123 2304

Bereavement UK
A valuable hub providing bereavement support and information for families.
www.bereavement.co.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support
If you have a question about cancer, or you just need someone to listen, you can
chat to our cancer experts on the Macmillan Support Line. From cancer treatment, to
money worries, to feeling down, there is no problem too big or small and we will do
whatever it takes to support you.
www.macmillan.org.uk
Tel: 0808 808 00 00

Support Services Directories:

• Birmingham City Council’s Customer Service Centres – Details of Customer Service Centres across Birmingham who can assist with Welfare Benefits, Financial Problems, and Housing Issues
• Local Welfare Provision Scheme – Details of the LWP scheme aimed at helping vulnerable people in short term crisis with food and essential items
• Community Connectors - Information on how to get started with your local community connector, linking families to community support and assets 
• Route 2 Wellbeing Directory - City-wide Voluntary and Community service directory 
• The Waiting Room Support Directory - City-wide Voluntary and Community service directory
• Birmingham Food Justice Map - Interactive map of City-wide food banks and warm welcome spaces
• Birmingham Connect to Support-online information and advice guide, community directory and marketplace for citizens of Birmingham

Advice and Information:

• Birmingham Housing Advice Pack
• Help in Brum: Birmingham Cost of Living Support
• Government Cost of Living Support Factsheet
• Check benefits and support you can get
• British Gas Energy Support
• Turn2Us Benefits Calculator
• Support for Carers
• Change Grow Live alcohol and drugs advice
• Step Change or other Breathing Space initiatives can offer 60 days respite from interest fees and court action for those in multiple arrears

Route2Wellbeing Birmingham

Route2wellbeing Birmingham – the definitive guide to local voluntary and community health and care services in Birmingham. Route2wellbeing makes it easy to find local services and activities that promote good health and wellbeing. You will find support for food, befriending, mental health, financial advice and much more. Visit the Route2Wellbeing website for more information.

Helping you to live well in Birmingham

An online information and advice guide, community directory and marketplace for citizens of Birmingham https://birmingham.connecttosupport.org/.

For information and support available to help people in short-term crisis with food and essential items visit the Birmingham City Council website.

Food

If you are struggling with food insecurity there is help available. The Trussell Trust support a nationwide network of food banks and provide emergency food and support to local people. You can also find a directory of Birmingham foodbanks at: www.findfoodbanksbrum.org.uk.

Online Parenting Course

From Birmingham with Love have pre-paid for every parent in Birmingham to access a parenting course. Just enter the access code “COMMUNITY” at the top of the page to claim. There are courses for parents, carers and grandparents of children from bump to 19 years. Learn about how your child develops, and get tips to manage their behaviour.

Mental Health Support

In these difficult times we have to look after our mental health. For young people aged 11-25 there are forums, guides and counselling available at Kooth. If your child 0-25 years needs support, get in touch with Pause by calling 0207 841 4470 or email. Adults can get support from MIND by calling 0121 262 3555. Or for urgent help call Forward Thinking Birmingham on 0300 300 0099.

Financial Help

If you’ve lost your job, or are struggling for food or rent there are services that can help. Local welfare provision can make a big difference if you are in a crisis and need food, fuel or basic white goods. Discretionary Housing Payments may be able to help with rent. And there are food banks across Birmingham that are here to help.

Domestic Abuse

For women and children affected by domestic abuse please see guidance or confidentially contact Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid. For Men, please contact Respect.

Problems with drugs or alcohol

A new, discrete app called Staying Free is available on Android or Apple. Use the code “birmingham11” for pre-paid access. To speak to someone call Change Grow Live.

Bereavement Support

It’s a terrible time to lose a loved one — you can get help by calling 0121 687 8010 or from Cruse.

Early Help for Families

If anyone in your family needs more help, from public services or community groups, then please contact our voluntary sector local leads. We have ten areas which can connect you to support across the city.

Safeguarding
If you are worried about a child, please call Birmingham’s Children’s Advice and Support
Service on 0121 303 1888. In an emergency, including child abuse, contact the Police on 999. You can also chat to the Police.