Mental Health at Porter Croft

What is Well-being?

Mental health is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual recognises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community. World Health Organisation, August 2014

At Porter Croft we want all of our children to be happy & healthy and this includes mentally! Learning about our mental health can help also build social and emotional skills. We want our children to be happy and safe learners.

If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, then please let us know.

For details of adult mental health support available in Sheffield, please click on the link below.

Adult mental health services

Please click this link for parent information about Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).CAMHS

Sleep Issues

Issues with sleep can also be a source of mental ill health for children & can be a common factor when it comes to difficulties with overall well-being.

If you feel that sleep may be an issue for your child, then please visit the following websites.

www.thechildrenssleepcharity.org.uk

https://sleepcouncil.org.uk/

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Childrenssleep

 

If you Need Further Help with your Child’s Mental Health & Wellbeing, then you could:

Call your GP: They will be able to provide help and advice. Your GP can also provide access to appropriate specialist services and local organisations.

NHS mental health services: Find local mental health services on the NHS website. http://www.nhs.uk

 

Websites that support mental health

childline: Free 24-hour counselling service for children and young people up to the age of 19. Call: 0800 1111

The Samaritans: The Samaritans provide a confidential service for people in despair and who feel suicidal. Call: 116 123

 NSPCC: provide helplines and information on child abuse, child protection and safeguarding children. Call: 0808 800 5000

   Young Minds: They provide a Parent Helpline that offers free confidential telephone and email support to any adult worried about the wellbeing of a child or young person. Call: 0808 802 5544

HaveIGotAProblem.com: This offers a free resource about mental health and addiction issues. It has advice and documents on issues including depression, anxiety, self-harm, bipolar, eating disorders and coping. Visit: http://www.haveigotaproblem.com/

Mental Health Foundation: This offers a wide range of information about mental health issues. Visit: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

 Health Talk Online: This aims to provide balanced information about the experience of everyday life with a range of health conditions and issues, what to expect both physically and mentally, overcoming practical difficulties, making decisions about treatment and talking to health professionals. Visit: http://www.healthtalk.org/

 YouthinMind: This is an online resource for information about mental health and offers brief assessments. It also provides links to other useful books, websites and services. Visit: http://youthinmind.info/py/yiminfo/

Mind – Infoline: Offers advice and support to service users; has a network of local associations in England and Wales to which people can turn for help. Call: 0300 123 3393, text number: 86463 or visit: http://www.mind.org.uk

SANE: This provides practical help, emotional support and specialist information for people aged 16 and over with mental health problems as well as their family, friends and carers. Call: 0300 304 7000 or visit: www.sane.org.uk

Supportline: This is a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue. Call: 01708 765200 or visit: www.supportline.org.uk

  • Triple P: Gives parents simple and practical strategies to help them build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage their children’s behavior and prevent problems developing.
  • The incredible years: A series of interlocking, evidence-based programs for parents, children, and teachers, supported by over 30 years of research, which aims to prevent and treat young children’s behavior problems and promote their social, emotional, and academic competence.
  • Minded for families: Advice and information from trusted experts to help improve understanding of mental health problems, and how parents and carers can best support their families.

 

Useful Guides for Parents

Is my child ready to left alone? NSPCChomealone.pdf

Whether they’re staying home alone for an hour or so, or you’re thinking of leaving them for longer – how do they feel about this? How can you make sure your child is safe?

Packed with advice, tips and practical tools, this guide can help you make decisions that are right for your child

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/in-the-home/home-alone/

 

A MAST worker and member of the school staff team can talk with you via zoom or by telephone to discuss any issues you may have.

The MAST worker and school will work together with you to help to address your family’s needs and create happier children and families.

Contact Mrs Long on 0114 2662132 to make an appointment.

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/mast

 

Sheffield Parent hub: Sheffield Parent Hub are now running group programmes, seminars and discussion groups virtually, via Zoom.

They are also able to offer support via phone or video chat during this difficult time.

Please contact the school if you are interested in any courses.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sheffield-parent-hub-17631456258

 

Useful Links for Parents

Citizens Advice Sheffield

Sheffield Directory

Sheffield Directory

Activities, organisations, information and services at your fingertips.

  • Adults
  • Children and Families
  • Special educational needs and disabilities (Local Offer)

With featured advice and resources from The Children’s Society, this expert guide for parents has been written to help children understand, cope and become strengthened by their experiences of anxiety at a young age.

The Expert Parent’s Guide to Childhood Anxiety

 

Healthy Eating – Bear Nibbles

Have you seen the Bear Nibbles website?

It gives information about healthier eating for kids and in particular how much sugar etc is in fruit snacks we choose for our kids.

 

Parent Support

For help, advice and guidance about all aspects of education and other parenting issues:

Department for Education website

Parents:Directgov website

National Autistic Society

The National Autistic Society (NAS) are the leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and their families.

They provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism.

Autism Support Line

Sheffield Education Autism Team run a Support Line for Parents, Carers and Professionals.

It is available Monday to Thursday 1.00pm to 4.00pm (term time).

The telephone number is: 0114 2736567

 

Sparkle Sheffield – Autism support group for parents

Sparkle Sheffield have 5 different parent support groups running in 5 different venues as well as a play evening for autistic children and their siblings. We certainly are a parent group with a difference. Sparkle Sheffield will not just aim at helping and supporting our beautiful extra special children but it will also be helping and supporting their parents too.

Having a child with autism can be very difficult and an extremely challenging experience and the only person who really understands what you are going through is another parent. Autism affects all different cultures from all different backgrounds but unfortunately all parents have the same problems due to lack of support and understanding. Sparkle Sheffield will be tackling these problems head on by bringing knowledge to our parents.

We really hope you are all able to join us in raising awareness for Autism.

Amy’s House

Amy’s House is a respite centre for families with children, from 5-18 years old, who have special needs and is based at Ballifield Primary School in Sheffield.

Makaton

Many of our children need additional support to understand the spoken word. A great resource for this is the use of Makaton which supports by using signs and symbols alongside the spoken word.

Please visit http://www.makaton.org/ for further information about Makaton which we are increasingly using in school.

This https://youtu.be/tRiW0s7wWIc explains more about Makaton and the help available.

Feelings Faces

Children with autism often find it difficult to distinguish the emotions of others or to describe how they themselves feel.

Please use these Feelings.pdf (if they are useful) to support your child.

Unravel

Unravel is a Sheffield-based children’s emotional and behavioural psychology consultancy, that aims to unravel children’s behavioural difficulties and develop happier children.

Websites that support special educational needs children and their families