At Ludgershall Castle Primary School, we have the following vision for Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing. We are committed to promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing to all students, their families and members of staff and governors. Our open culture allows students’ voices to be heard, and through the use of effective policies and procedures we ensure a safe and supportive environment for all affected - both directly and indirectly - by mental health issues.
The following information provides useful links for pupils, staff and parent and carers on school based as well as local and national support and should be read in conjunction with the Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Policy found below.
School Based Support
ELSA
An ELSA in a school is an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. There is a recognised ELSA training course aimed specifically at Teaching Assistants in schools. Examples of things covered on the course are social skills, emotions, bereavement, social stories and therapeutic stories, anger management, self-esteem, counselling skills such as solution focus and friendship. Our qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistant is Mrs Okley.
Family Support Advisor
Parent Support Advisors offer nurturing, supportive and non-judgemental parenting interventions, promoting the importance of positive child parent attachment and of positive interactions for children’s learning and development, and role model appropriate and consistent boundaries and routines. Parenting isn’t an easy job and at times things get tough. Every parent wants what is best for their child. Parent Support Advisors help families deal with issues, worries, or concerns. They may not have all the answers, but together with families, they work together to explore ways forward. Our Family Support Advisor is Mrs Okley. Please contact her if you would like to arrange a meeting.
SENDco
At Ludgershall Castle we embrace the fact that every child is different and, therefore, the educational needs of every child are different – this is certainly the case for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
In terms of what we offer children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities, this is different for every child, and it is important to emphasise that, as much as possible, this provision is designed by the relevant Ludgershall Castle staff members working alongside the child, the child’s family and, where necessary, outside agencies (e.g., a Speech and Language Therapist or an Educational Psychologist).
Our qualified Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is currently Liz Warren (senco@ludgershallcastle.wilts.sch.uk) who is in school part time.
Your GP
A GP can check any physical symptoms linked to your child’s health and talk with you about their emotional well-being making a referral to a specialist service if necessary.
Children Based Support
Reading Well Reading Well supports you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using helpful reading. The children's booklist is targeted at children in Key Stage 2 (aged 7-11), but includes titles aimed at a wide range of reading levels to support less confident readers, and to encourage children to read together with their siblings and carers. Find out more information here: https://www.wiltshirehealthyschools.org/documents/campaigns/RW_Children_-_booklist_interactive.pdf
All the books can be reserved from any Wiltshire library or online for free and will be available to borrow initially for 3 weeks (longer if not reserved). Library staff are briefed on the scheme and be able to signpost to further support. If you would like to apply for a library card, please speak to the school office or visit your local library.
Childline
We're here for you, whatever's on your mind. We'll support you. Guide you. Help you make decisions that are right for you. Our tips and techniques, ideas, and inspiration, can help you feel more in control. And you can access them in your own time, at your own pace! Find out more at: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/\
Cosmic Kids – Free Videos!
Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation for kids. Interactive adventures which build strength, balance and confidence!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5uIZ2KOZZeQDQo_Gsi_qbQ
Stormbreak
Every day we inspire mentally healthy movement to help children become
happier, healthier humans forever. Visit https://www.stormbreak.org.uk/videos/filter for some free videos!
The Adventures of Kara, Winston and the SMART Crew at Childnet
These cartoons illustrate 5 online safety SMART rules and include a real life SMART Crew of young people, who guide the cartoon characters in their quest, and help them make safe online decisions. Visit
https://www.childnet.com/resources/the-adventures-of-kara-winston-and-the-smart-crew/
Parent and Carer Based Support
Single Point of Access (SPA)
Our Single Point of Access (SPA) is the key point of contact for children, young people, families, GPs and health and social care professionals to access advice and support from all Wiltshire Children’s Community Services. It is essentially the single ‘front door’ for all of our services!
The SPA coordinates community health care advice and support for all children and young people in Wiltshire. The aim is to make sure that every child and young person receives the appropriate support to meet their individual needs. Wiltshire Single Point of Access (SPA) can be contacted on 01865 903 330 between 9.00am and 5.00pm weekdays.
Reading Well
Reading Well supports you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using helpful reading. Reading Well books are all recommended by health experts, as well as people with lived experience of the conditions and topics covered and their relatives and carers. Reading Well for children and young people provides quality-assured information, stories, and advice to support mental health and wellbeing. Books have been chosen and recommended by leading health professionals and co-produced with children and families.
The children's booklist is targeted at children in Key Stage 2 (aged 7-11), but includes titles aimed at a wide range of reading levels to support less confident readers, and to encourage children to read together with their siblings and carers. Find out more information here: https://www.wiltshirehealthyschools.org/documents/campaigns/RW_Children_-_booklist_interactive.pdf
All the books can be reserved from any Wiltshire library or online for free and will be available to borrow initially for 3 weeks (longer if not reserved). Library staff are briefed on the scheme and be able to signpost to further support. If you would like to apply for a library card, please speak to the school office or visit your local library.
Wiltshire Early Mental Health Counselling and Support Service
A Wiltshire wide service for young people aged 5-18 experiencing early mental health issues . Services offered include information and advice , signposting , positive activities , group work and counselling . Find out more information here: https://www.onyourmind.org.uk
We Hear You
We Hear You provide free emotional support for patients, families, friends, and carers who have been affected or bereaved by cancer or any other life threatening condition, across Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and Wiltshire.
At We Hear you we understand that the emotional impact can be just as hard to manage as physical symptoms, and that the impact extends to everyone connected to the person diagnosed. People who use our service often report feeling numb, isolated, and terrified and struggling to cope. We provide a safe space to work through difficult feelings with an experienced, specialist counsellor. When you ask WHY… we hear you.
If you are affected or have been bereaved by cancer or another life threatening condition and would like to know more about our counselling and other types of support, please see our 'Get Support' pages. You can find these at https://www.wehearyou.org.uk
Wiltshire Treehouse
Wiltshire Treehouse offers advice and creative programmes that support the social and emotional well-being of bereaved children and young people. We offer a relaxed, safe, and inclusive environment in which people can explore and grow to understand their grief. At Wiltshire Treehouse children can meet others, share stories, make a connection, and help each other. To find out more, visit https://www.wiltshiretreehouse.org.uk
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
CAMHS help children and young people up to 18 who are finding it hard to cope with everyday life because of difficult feelings, behaviour, or relationships. Most of the time when we are sad, angry, stressed or worried these feelings pass within a few days, but if they go on for a while and stop us enjoying and coping with life, then CAMHS can help.
If you or your child are not open to CAMHS and have a concern about a child or young person’s mental health, please call the Wiltshire CAMHS Single Point of Access (SPA) on 01865 903 330 between 9.00am and 5.00pm weekdays.
Place 2 Be
We work with schools to support children’s mental health. As part of this, we offer advice and resources for parents and carers to help support their child or young person’s wellbeing. Please visit https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/parents-and-carers/ to find out more, including Parenting Smart, our new site full of practical advice and tried and tested tips for parents and carers of primary-age children.
Young Minds
We know parenting isn’t always easy. Although it’s often amazing and rewarding to watch your children grow up, and to help them learn to be independent, it can also be really hard work. It can feel especially hard if your child's mood and behaviour seem different and you're not sure why, or what you can do to help. But you are not alone.
We have lots of practical advice and tips on supporting your child - from how to encourage your child to open up about their feelings to dealing with mental health services. No matter what you and your child are going through, things can get better.
We also have our Parents Helpline who can provide advice and support if you're worried about a child or young person. Go to: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/ to find out more.
Charlie Waller Memorial Trust (CWMT)
When your child is suffering, parenthood can be tough, lonely, and frightening. When the cause of that suffering is hard to understand, as is so often the case with mental health, it becomes more difficult still.
At Charlie Waller, we understand that. Led by parents who have experienced this challenge themselves, our parent and carer programme offers practical advice, training and support to parents, carers, and families. This is delivered both face-to-face and online, primarily through our PLACE Network, a rapidly developing national network of parent support groups and training workshops.
We also produce a wealth of expert, evidence-based resources for parents and carers, on a range of topics relating to the mental health of children and young people.
For more information visit: https://charliewaller.org/what-we-offer/parents-and-carers/
Shout
Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
To start a conversation, text the word 'SHOUT' to 85258. Our trained volunteers are here to listen at any time of day or night, and messages won't appear on your phone bill. You can find out more about the service by visiting https://giveusashout.org
NSPCC
Support and tips to help you keep children safe. From advice on children’s mental health to staying safe online, support for parents and what to do if you’re worried about a child.
Samaritans
Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help. We’re here, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis, we’re taking action to prevent the crisis. We give people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others. And we encourage, promote and celebrate those moments of connection between people that can save lives. We offer listening and support to people and communities in times of need. In prisons, schools, hospitals and on the rail network, Samaritans are working with people who are going through a difficult time and training others to do the same. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. That’s why we work tirelessly to reach more people and make suicide prevention a priority.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Headspace
Headspace is guided meditation for everybody. Download our app from the App Store or Google Play and learn how to meditate, wherever you are, whenever you like. Relax with guided meditation sessions that will help you rest and reset after a long day, let go of worried thoughts with our Stress pack, or create the ideal conditions for healthy, restful sleep with our sleep meditations and sleep sounds. That's as well as mindfulness exercises for everyday situations like commuting or cooking, dozens of animations like the ones you see on this channel, and eight different meditation techniques, all taught by Headspace's co-founder, Andy Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk. With hundreds of hours of content, Headspace is your personal meditation guide to just about anything. Access some free videos at: https://www.youtube.com/@headspace
Staff Based Support
Single Point of Access (SPA)
Our Single Point of Access (SPA) is the key point of contact for children, young people, families, GPs and health and social care professionals to access advice and support from all Wiltshire Children’s Community Services. It is essentially the single ‘front door’ for all of our services!
The SPA coordinates community health care advice and support for all children and young people in Wiltshire. The aim is to make sure that every child and young person receives the appropriate support to meet their individual needs. Wiltshire Single Point of Access (SPA) can be contacted on 01865 903 330 between 9.00am and 5.00pm weekdays.
Reading Well
Reading Well supports you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using helpful reading. Reading Well books are all recommended by health experts, as well as people with lived experience of the conditions and topics covered and their relatives and carers. Reading Well for children and young people provides quality-assured information, stories, and advice to support mental health and wellbeing. Books have been chosen and recommended by leading health professionals and co-produced with children and families.
The children's booklist is targeted at children in Key Stage 2 (aged 7-11), but includes titles aimed at a wide range of reading levels to support less confident readers, and to encourage children to read together with their siblings and carers. Find out more information here: https://www.wiltshirehealthyschools.org/documents/campaigns/RW_Children_-_booklist_interactive.pdf
All the books can be reserved from any Wiltshire library or online for free and will be available to borrow initially for 3 weeks (longer if not reserved). Library staff are briefed on the scheme and be able to signpost to further support. If you would like to apply for a library card, please speak to the school office or visit your local library.
We Hear You
We Hear You provide free emotional support for patients, families, friends, and carers who have been affected or bereaved by cancer or any other life threatening condition, across Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and Wiltshire.
At We Hear you we understand that the emotional impact can be just as hard to manage as physical symptoms, and that the impact extends to everyone connected to the person diagnosed. People who use our service often report feeling numb, isolated, and terrified and struggling to cope. We provide a safe space to work through difficult feelings with an experienced, specialist counsellor. When you ask WHY… we hear you.
If you are affected or have been bereaved by cancer or another life threatening condition and would like to know more about our counselling and other types of support, please see our 'Get Support' pages. You can find these at https://www.wehearyou.org.uk
Place 2 Be
We work with schools to support children’s mental health. As part of this, we offer advice and resources for parents and carers to help support their child or young person’s wellbeing. Please visit https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/parents-and-carers/ to find out more, including Parenting Smart, our new site full of practical advice and tried and tested tips for parents and carers of primary-age children.
Young Minds
We know parenting isn’t always easy. Although it’s often amazing and rewarding to watch your children grow up, and to help them learn to be independent, it can also be really hard work. It can feel especially hard if your child's mood and behaviour seem different and you're not sure why, or what you can do to help. But you are not alone.
We have lots of practical advice and tips on supporting your child - from how to encourage your child to open up about their feelings to dealing with mental health services. No matter what you and your child are going through, things can get better.
We also have our Parents Helpline who can provide advice and support if you're worried about a child or young person. Go to: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/ to find out more.
Charlie Waller Memorial Trust (CWMT)
When your child is suffering, parenthood can be tough, lonely, and frightening. When the cause of that suffering is hard to understand, as is so often the case with mental health, it becomes more difficult still.
At Charlie Waller, we understand that. Led by parents who have experienced this challenge themselves, our parent and carer programme offers practical advice, training and support to parents, carers, and families. This is delivered both face-to-face and online, primarily through our PLACE Network, a rapidly developing national network of parent support groups and training workshops.
We also produce a wealth of expert, evidence-based resources for parents and carers, on a range of topics relating to the mental health of children and young people.
For more information visit: https://charliewaller.org/what-we-offer/parents-and-carers/
MindEd
MindEd is a free learning resource about the mental health of children, young people, and older adults. MindEd is funded through the Department of Health and Health Education England. MindEd for Families has been funded by the Department for Education and NHS England. Visit: https://mindedforfamilies.org.uk/young-people/
Shout
Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
To start a conversation, text the word 'SHOUT' to 85258. Our trained volunteers are here to listen at any time of day or night, and messages won't appear on your phone bill. You can find out more about the service by visiting https://giveusashout.org
Samaritans
Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help. We’re here, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis, we’re taking action to prevent the crisis. We give people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others. And we encourage, promote and celebrate those moments of connection between people that can save lives. We offer listening and support to people and communities in times of need. In prisons, schools, hospitals and on the rail network, Samaritans are working with people who are going through a difficult time and training others to do the same. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. That’s why we work tirelessly to reach more people and make suicide prevention a priority.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
NSPCC
Support and tips to help you keep children safe. From advice on children’s mental health to staying safe online, support for parents and what to do if you’re worried about a child.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Headspace
Headspace is guided meditation for everybody. Download our app from the App Store or Google Play and learn how to meditate, wherever you are, whenever you like. Relax with guided meditation sessions that will help you rest and reset after a long day, let go of worried thoughts with our Stress pack, or create the ideal conditions for healthy, restful sleep with our sleep meditations and sleep sounds. That's as well as mindfulness exercises for everyday situations like commuting or cooking, dozens of animations like the ones you see on this channel, and eight different meditation techniques, all taught by Headspace's co-founder, Andy Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk. With hundreds of hours of content, Headspace is your personal meditation guide to just about anything. Access some free videos at: https://www.youtube.com/@headspace
You can also apply for a free year of subscription for educators. Just search the website.