Wellbeing at Vickerstown Primary School
At Vickerstown we work towards a whole-school approach to wellbeing. Mental health and wellbeing are a focus for both pupils and staff. All pupils receive, or can access, the following provision to support and promote their emotional wellbeing and mental health to help prevent any difficulties they may be experiencing from developing:
- PSHE taught through the SCARF Programme encompassing the values of Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship which can help your child to be their best - both at school and at home.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Displays.
- Decider Skills Programme, helping children to recognise their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours and learn coping strategies to support this.
- KidSafe Safeguarding lessons.
- Pastoral Support including SERIS groupwork (Supporting Emotional Resilience in School) and ELSA support (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant).
- Access to School based Counsellor.
- Extra-curricular clubs and activities.
- Daily mile whole school running.
As part of the school’s commitment to support all children’s physical and emotional wellbeing as well as their academic learning, using the Universal Provision provided by school, we can support pupils in the following ways:
- Encourage pupils’ curiosity and critical thinking.
- Create an environment of challenges and opportunities.
- Use language and activities that promote thinking skills and debate, rather than ‘right or wrong’ answers by respecting difference.
- Value the process of learning – attaining results through achievement.
- Develop a solution focused approach.
- Foster a positive, nurturing and accepting learning environment.
- Increase skills to support positive emotional resilience, confidence and self-esteem.
- Develop friendships, a sense of citizenship and belonging to school and being part of the wider community, as well as enhancing social skills.
Wellbeing video
‘SCARF’ PSHE Education Programme video
Useful Resources and Information
Below you will find a variety of sources of information, advice and support for a wide range of issues with links to specific charities, organisations and websites. This includes links to support for children, young people and parents/carers. If you require any further support with any areas listed or not listed below, please do not hesitate to contact us at school.
Resilience can come in different forms. The four main types of resilience are physical resilience, mental resilience, emotional resilience, and social resilience. Children, young people and their families will have a variety of needs which need to be supported in order to maintain their mental health and wellbeing. This can be done through prevention advice and coping strategies to help with everyday life issues and experiences.
Support for families needing food supplies or advice on finances and general information.
Cost of Living:
Barrow Foodbank - The Trussell TrustFinding Help and Advice:
Citizens Advice Barrow (barrowcitizensadvice.org.uk)Individual or family needs requiring more input. This includes low level concern around risk taking behaviours and personal safety.
General information:
Online safety:
NSPCC – online safety advice and guides for families. Keeping children safe online | NSPCCCEOP – National Crime Agency for child exploitation and online protection. Aiming to protect children and young people from online sexual abuse. www.ceopeducation.co.uk
Kidsafe – we offer Kidsafe sessions for all children as part of their PSHE curriculum. For more information about the Kidsafe programme, please contact Mr Bland, our Deputy Head/safeguarding lead. www.kidsafeuk.co.uk
Parenting
NSPCC – parenting tips for all stages of your child’s life, as well as advice on how to deal with difficult situations. Support for parents | NSPCCNSPCC – growing independence in the home. Keeping children safe in the home | NSPCC
Family Action 0-19 Child and Family Support Service www.family-action.org.uk 01229 821855
Sex, sexuality & relationships
LGBTQ+ Glossary LGBTQ+ Glossary (therapistaid.com)NSPCC – advice and information for parents and carers about how to talk to their child about sex, sexuality and relationships
How to Talk to Children About Sex & Safety | NSPCC | NSPCC
On this page you will find information and advice about sexuality, sex, relationships, dating, coming out, bullying and discrimination. Sexuality | Childline
Wellbeing
Childline – take your mind off things with games, use our tools to find ways to cope or get creative and let your feelings out. Toolbox | Childline
Sources of information, advice and support in the community and self-support, for low-level, short-term difficulties or changing, continuing and more concerning difficulties. Individual or family needs requiring more input. This includes low level concerns around risk-taking behaviours and personal safety.
BBC Bitesize – Information, support, tips and advice to help with bullying, mental health and wellbeing, body image, staying safe and more. Support – BBC Bitesize
Childline – tips and techniques, ideas and inspiration. Info and advice | Childline
Nip in the Bud – short, evidence-based films and factsheets about child mental health conditions, neurodivergent conditions and wellbeing Films for Parents / Carers | Nip in the Bud
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people; whether it’s mental health, money, homelessness, finding a job, coping with a break-up or concerns around substance misuse. They offer online support, a confidential helpline and a counselling service. Tel: 0808 808 4994 The Mix – Essential support for under 25s
ADHD
If you are concerned that your child may display signs of ADHD, please contact our school SENCO, Mrs Kitts.Children and young peoples’ mental health & wellbeing
If you have concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing, please call into school to speak to our School Counsellor, Mrs Robinson. NHS – Advice and support on a range of topics for parents who have children or teenagers with mental health problems. Advice for parents – NHS (www.nhs.uk) Wellbeing Helpline and Texting Service – a freephone, out of hours service for people requiring emotional support in relation to their own mental health or that of someone they know. Call 0800 915 4640 or text Hello to 07860 022 846. 365 days a year, Monday to Friday 7pm-11pm and Saturday and Sunday 12pm-12am, text service from 10am during the week. Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust | Wellbeing Helpline and Texting Service (lscft.nhs.uk) Young Minds – Information, support and advice for young people, and their parents and carers, who are worried about their mental health. YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMindsFaith friendly mental health resources
Mental health advice for young Muslims | YoungMindsHealth
E-School Nurse – Video clinics available for professionals, parents and carers in Cumbria all day Tuesday and Thursdays. To book an appointment telephone: 01228 603973. Visit the webpage for links to further support. E-School Nurse Professional Poster (cumbria.gov.uk)Gaming and Gambling
Advice on Gaming and Gambling – providing parents with knowledge and resources Parent Hub | Parents.YgamParenting
FamilyLine – a team of trained volunteers offering support via telephone, text, web chat and email. Parenting questions or help with guidance around more complex family issues. Longer-term support through regular sessions with Befrienders and Counsellors. Family Line Information Leaflet (cumbria.gov.uk) Young Minds Parent HelplineSelf-help resources
Get Self Help – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy self-help and therapy resources including worksheets, info sheets & videos. Get.gg – Getselfhelp.co.uk SAFA self-care toolbox – The SAFA Self-Care Toolbox is a community resource to support mental health and wellbeing. Includes resources on anxiety & low mood and more. ToolBox – Self Care Tools (safa-selfharm.com)Sleep
For teenagers and their parents/carers…the ‘one-stop shop’ for all you need to know about sleep Home – Teen Sleep Hub Teen Sleep Hub – You and Your Sleep Guide Want to know more about sleep? : National Sleep Helpline National Sleep Helpline Facts Parent Flyer National Sleep Helpline Support Parent FlyerSubstance Misuse
Frank – information, advice and support about drugs. Call 0300 1236600, text 82111. Honest information about drugs | FRANK (talktofrank.com) NSPCC – information and advice to help you keep children safe and aware of the risks. Talking about drugs and alcohol | NSPCC CADAS – Home - CADAS, Reducing harmful addiction across Cumbria Unity - Families Information | Unity Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service - Barrow-in-Furness (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk), Unity is a drug and alcohol recovery service, providing treatment and recovery support for individuals and their family members who are affected by substance misuse.
More specific individual or group support.
Adult mental health and wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing Coaches (HAWC’s) – to help improve the health and wellbeing of anyone over the age of 16. Health and Wellbeing Team – Hawcs and Officers | Cumbria County CouncilSamaritans – a safe place to talk, any time, about whatever is getting to you. Call 116 123. Talk to us on the Phone | Samaritans
First Step South Cumbria provides free, talking therapies to adults (18+) in South Cumbria. First Step South Cumbria :: Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (lscft.nhs.uk)
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autus Cumbria – supports autistic children and adults by offering social opportunities, support, training and advocacy. Home | Autus (autuscumbria.com)Cumbria Autism Family Support – Family Support Workers will work with families of children under the age of 18 who have a diagnosis of Autism. The Family Support Workers will provide information and advice by telephone or email, and when necessary, will visit parent/carers of children. Cumbria Autism Family Support Project
Children, young people and family support
Brathay – runs community support programmes for children, young people, and families. The programmes are delivered by a team of qualified and experienced youth workers, family support workers, mental health practitioners, teachers, and counsellors. Brathay in Cumbria and North West – Brathay TrustEarly help offer Early Help Guide for Parents | Cumbria’s Family Information Directory
Family Action – 0-19 Child & Family Support Services – Info & advice sessions, signposting, peer support, 1:1 support & coaching. 0-19 Child and Family Support Service – Family Action (family-action.org.uk)
Free school meals and clothing vouchers – Apply for free school meals and clothing vouchers | Cumbria County Council
Focus Family Team – signposting, advice and support for a range of issues, for example employment, welfare benefits and food hubs. Information leaflet
Children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Barnardo’s Moving Mindsets – Early Intervention Support for Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education settings. Moving Mindsets – Morecambe Bay Mental Health Support Teams | Barnardo’s (barnardos.org.uk)Childline – you can contact Childline about anything, whatever your worry. Call (0800 1111), chat online or email Get Support | Childline. Here is a video of what happens when you contact Childline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCA6EhBhiC8&feature=emb_title
Kooth – Free online counselling, support and emotional wellbeing service, chat and forums – it’s safe and anonymous. Home – Kooth
Women’s Community Matters can provide support for women in our local area. Womens Community Matters (womenscommunitymatters.org), 01229 311102. Women’s Community Matters is a space that can recognise, understand and respond to trauma. We facilitate trauma-informed and gender-responsive programmes for the people in our community.
Young Lives – is a Specialist Consultancy that works in partnership with schools and parents to provide flexible and bespoke support to young people on a wide range of health matters. Young Lives (young-lives.com)
Carers
Young Carers – young people, 5-18 years old, who care for someone at home due to their illness, frailty, physical or mental health problems. Young Carers – Furness Carers, Barrow-in-Furness, CumbriaFurness Carers – free and confidential information and support to Carers of all ages on all issues related to the caring role. Free Information & Support for Carers – Furness Carers, Barrow-in-Furness
Domestic Abuse
The New Lives Project supports women and their families who are or have experienced domestic violence and abuse. Women’s Community Matters » New Lives ProjectVictim Support work closely with children and young people, and can provide 1 to 1 support for children who are living in families struggling with domestic violence. Cumbria - Victim Support
Eating Disorders
BEAT – Telephone & online support services including one-to-one and group chat for anyone experiencing, or caring for someone, with an eating disorder. Get information and support – Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk)SAFA - Safa – Self Harm Awareness For All (safa-selfharm.com)
Multicultural support
Multicultural Cumbria – has been set up to empower minority groups and the wider community. They aim to improve communication on a grassroots level; building confidence, self-esteem, social opportunities and community cohesion. Home – Multicultural CumbriaObsessive Compulsive Disorder
Information and support relating to Obsessive Compulsive Disorders’ in children, young people and adults. OCD-UK | A national OCD charity, run by, and for people with lived experience of OCD (ocduk.org)Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, A guide for Young People
Serious illness and bereavement
Bluebell – We provide support for children and young people up to the age of 18 who are grieving through the death, or anticipated death, of someone important to them. Support For Grieving Families – The Bluebell FoundationCancer Care – Support for children, young people and adults for when they or someone close to them, gets a Cancer diagnosis or if they are dealing with a bereavement.
Re-Fresh Peer Support Group – the activities are open to anyone aged 11-17yrs who has been affected by cancer, bereavement, or any life-limiting illnesses. https://cancercare.org.uk/local-cancer-support-services/cancer-support-for-young-adults
Child Bereavement UK Understanding grieving teenagers | Child Bereavement UK
Alice’s Escapes – offers complimentary holidays for families with seriously-ill children, along with breaks for those who have lost their child. Home (alices-escapes.co.uk)
Good Grief Trust – information, helplines, advice for anyone who is bereaved. Home – The Good Grief Trust
Winston’s Wish – provides emotional and practical bereavement support to children, young people and their families after the death of a parent, sibling or important person. Includes information and resources along with expert advice for those bereaved by suicide, homicide or serious illness and supporting bereaved children with SEND. Freephone helpline: 08088 020 021. Bereavement support for children and families | Winston’s Wish (winstonswish.org)
Sex, sexuality, gender identity and relationships
Furness LGBTQ+ youth group brings together people to celebrate diversity and give young people a voice in our community. Furness LGBTQ+ support (dzyp.co.uk)
Individual or family needs requiring further input This includes low-level concerns around risk-taking behaviours and personal safety.
Children, young people and family support
Children’s Services – contact details for Barrow area | Cumbria County CouncilSpecial Guardianship Support – information, guidance and support. Special Guardians (specialguardiansupport.org.uk)
Children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
My Time – A Tier 2 CAMHS service offering support for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues by providing early targeted interventions, usually around 6-8 sessions. The service also provides advice & support to parents/carers. MyTime Cumbria | Barnardo’s (barnardos.org.uk)Domestic Abuse
Turning the spotlight – a free, confidential, non-judgemental service supporting people having problems in their relationship, leading to arguments, an unhealthy relationship, and abuse. Working with victims and perpetrators of abuse. Turning the Spotlight – Victim SupportSubstance misuse
Recovery Steps – free, confidential support from staff and volunteers with lived experiences of drug and alcohol use. Also offers support to friends, carers and family members. Recovery Steps Cumbria – Humankind (humankindcharity.org.uk)
Support for increased concerns around safety and wellbeing and developing risk-taking behaviours.
Mental Health
CAMHS – Specialist Tier 3 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is a service for children, young people and families with significant, severe, complex or persistent emotional, mental health, psychological and/or relationship difficulties. Children and Young People’s Psychological Services :: Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (lscft.nhs.uk)Self-harm
SAFA – Self-harm Awareness For All – Counselling & support for young people aged 11 and over who engage in self-harm. Safa – Self Harm Awareness For All (safa-selfharm.com)Every Life Matters – Online support for those affected by suicide and self-harm. Every Life Matters – Suicide Safer Cumbria (every-life-matters.org.uk)
Suicidal thoughts
HopeLine UK – For children & young people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide & for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Call: 0800 068 4141. Text: 07860039967. HOPELINEUK – Papyrus UK | Suicide Prevention Charity (papyrus-uk.org)PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. Online info, advice and resources. Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org)
Every Life Matters – Online support for those affected by suicide and self-harm. Every Life Matters – Suicide Safer Cumbria (every-life-matters.org.uk)
Substance misuse
CADAS – Free and confidential alcohol and drug advice and support for under 18’s. Young People – CADASUnity - Families Information | Unity Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service - Barrow-in-Furness (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk), Unity is a drug and alcohol recovery service, providing treatment and recovery support for individuals and their family members who are affected by substance misuse.
Sexual abuse
Birchall – Offer support to anyone aged 4 and above affected by rape, sexual abuse or sexualised violence in Cumbria and Lancashire. Home – The Birchall TrustSexual abuse and assault
The Bridgeway – Supporting the victims of Rape or Serious Sexual Assault
'LIVING, LEARNING & PLAYING TOGETHER'
Our Vision
We aim to provide an outstanding education in the heart of the community and as such we make every effort that the children at Vickerstown have the best academic start and grounding possible to enable them to become successful members of society.