All children and young people have their ups and downs and experience all kinds of thoughts and feelings as they grow up.

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There are many different kinds of problems and worries that get in the way of children and young people growing with enjoyment, happiness and confidence; this is what we mean by

emotional well-being.

 

Problems vary in how serious they can be. For some children and young people, the problems may pass quickly, for others their everyday lives are greatly affected and they may need extra help over and above what can ordinarily be provided by their families, relatives and friends.

 

WHAT IS THE HOPE PROJECT?

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The Hope Project is a school emotional wellbeing service which supports children, young people and their families. The project offers signposting, self-help guidance, early intervention and also promotes a whole school approach for emotional wellbeing.

A child or young person may need someone to talk to about emotional, behavioural, social difficulties or need some advice. HOPE is aiming to provide this support.

 

THE KIND OF PROBLEMS HOPE CAN HELP WITH ARE:

 

• Any aspect of family life that may be affecting your child’s emotional well-being

• School refusal

• Bullying

• Behaviour

• Anxiety

• Sadness

• Low self-esteem

• Illness

• Bereavement

 

WHO PROVIDES THE SERVICE?

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At our school there is a team who support children and young people, that includes the Head Teacher, Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and the Nurture lead. There will be other people that help the service such as School Nurse, Parent or Family Support Worker and Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

 

PROVIDING A QUALITY SERVICE

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We are committed to providing a quality service and consider it important to listen to the views of children, young people and families. If, for any reason a young person or parent/carer has any questions about any aspect of the service, they are welcome to talk to any team member who will be happy to listen to any comments or suggestions put forward.

 

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL BE NEEDED?

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The number of sessions required depends on the problem. Typically, 5-8 sessions are enough to resolve difficulties in the early stage. The sessions will be reviewed and any decisions made will be shared and agreed with the people concerned.

 

Drop-ins will also be available for parents and young people for one-off advice.

 

HOW DOES A YOUNG PERSON ACCESS THE HOPE PROJECT?

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Typically, a parent or member of school staff will contact the Head Teacher, SENCO or Well-being Lead with concerns, who will then co-ordinate the most appropriate person or service to help. Children can also make a self-referral using our 'Listening Ear' (children make a note of any issues they are experiencing and staff can then make arrangements to meet with the child) or through our 'Worry Monster' in EYFS & KS1. 

 

WILL THE MEETING BE IN PRIVATE?

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Meetings with children, young people and families always take place in a private room. Notes may be taken during the meeting and these are securely filed.

Information about the sessions will not be shared with other people without the parent/carer or young person’s permission.

 

WHAT HAPPENS ONCE SUPPORT HAS BEEN OFFERED?

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Appointments if and when applicable will usually be at school.

 

This project is optional.

 

RESPECTING YOUR NEEDS

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If any child, young person, parent/carer has difficulty reading, understanding or hearing

information or has English as a second language; the school will endeavour to provide assistance to meet your needs.

 

Please let us know if you have any specific requirements.

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

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All information relating to support sessions are protected and treated with the greatest respect. As this is a school service, the Head Teacher and Class Teacher are normally consulted for further information relating to the child/young person’s difficulties, unless permission is refused for this contact. 

 

Parent/carers with parental responsibility will be informed of the service provided to their child/young person.

 

At times, and in exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for certain information to be shared with other agencies, for example, if there are child safety or safeguarding concerns.

 

For further information on this project contact:

Donna Streeter (TA) or Jayne Hackney (SENDCo)

jhackney@forsbrook.staffs.sch.uk

Donna.Streeter@forsbrook.staffs.sch.uk

01782 392577

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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Mental Health Support Teams – Parent / Carer Drop Ins:

Mental Health Support Teams are available to offer support and interventions to pupils studying in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent, Burton & Uttoxeter.

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Mental Health Support Teams in North Staffordshire are now offering a parent / carer drop-in session every Tuesday, for parents / carers of pupils. See below for information.