Wellbeing
Here at Sele First we are committed to supporting all members of our school community, this includes taking care of the wellbeing, and mental health of children, families, and staff alike. We want to be a safe space where children and adults can thrive and find help when needed.
As part of this ongoing and evolving work, please find pathways of support on offer for children and their families.
The following members of staff are available to contact if you have a wellbeing query or concern:
Steph Milburn Headteacher, SMHL
Brooke Phillips DSL
Judith Elliott SENDCo
Nina Blanchet Assistant SENDCo
Class teachers are available to speak to about any wellbeing concerns, please contact admin@sele.northumberland.sch.uk to arrange a follow up meeting / phone call.
Sele First have achieved the Schools' Mental Health Award for their ongoing commitment to supporting the mental health of the school community.
Be You Northumberland
‘Be You’ is a pilot programme focusing on schools which is designed to improve and support the mental health and wellbeing of young people; enabling them to build emotional resilience and identify issues early.
Initially this programme will be delivered in the areas of Blyth and Hexham, but if it’s successful we hope to expand it countywide.
What is the purpose of the ’Be you’ mental health support team?
Our team is aimed at supporting teachers to enhance mental health provision within schools so we’re here to give advice and act as a bridge to other services. But more than anything we are here to help young people develop healthy habits towards mental health and, where necessary, offer support at an early stage.
Who will support the programme in each school as part of the ‘Be You’ team?
- Senior mental health leads The primary contact point for the ‘Be You’ team within schools and supporting mental health and wellbeing day to day in their school
- Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP’s) Work directly with individuals and groups of children and young people at risk of developing mild emotional difficulties
- Primary Metal Health Workers (PMHW’s) Undertake interventions with individuals for moderate mental health needs and support other professionals through advice and training
- Educational psychologists and assistant psychologist Working with schools to develop whole schools approaches and delivering enhancements to staff knowledge and skills in this area.
- Senior mental health lead co-ordinator A qualified teacher, the role will support the senior mental health leads, chairing peer support group meetings and making sure learning is shared.
- Peer educator Works to develop peer mentors so young people can help each other manage their own mental health and provide support when emotional difficulties arise.
Mental Health Websites
Kooth is an online mental wellbeing community that offer free, safe and anonymous support 24 hours a day. Their 'Struggling at Christmas' series offers advice around some of the most common issues that arise during a busy time of the year. More resources can be found at - www.kooth.com
General Support for Families
Be You website: www.beyounorthumberland.nhs.uk has portals for families, young
people and professionals and contains information about local services, resources,
links to other websites etc.
Northumberland Family Hub Padlet: https://padlet.com/Northumberland/family-hub-guide-to-services-o3r8ph83nr9u7zol has resources to support families from birth to 19 years.
Tailored Support- ELSA
At Sele First School, we are committed to supporting the emotional wellbeing of all our children. ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) provision offers tailored support for children who may need some additional guidance to build their skills across areas of social and emotional learning. Our ELSA provision can support children with managing worries, preparing for transitions, friendships and social skills, building positive self-esteem, loss and bereavement, and emotional regulation.
Support is delivered individually or in small groups by a trained ELSA practitioner. Weekly sessions provide a safe, nurturing space where children can talk, explore their feelings, and develop positive coping strategies through conversations, activities and games. ELSA support aims to help children feel secure, understood, and supported both in the classroom and beyond.
Our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant works closely with class teachers and school staff to share information about each child’s needs and progress. This ensures that strategies to support them can be implemented consistently across all areas of school life.
Parental Conflict
Frequent and intense levels of conflict at home can put a child’s mental health and wellbeing at risk. The Relationships Matter programme delivers FREE support to parents in Northumberland, whether they are together or separated.
The programme helps parents improve their communication and solve disagreements, with the aim of reducing the conflict witnessed by their children.
There are four different interventions to support families of all shapes and sizes:
- Parenting When Separated
- Family Check-Up
- MBT: Parenting Under Pressure
- The Incredible Years
If you know a family who might benefit from using our service, please get in touch.
Website: Relationships Matter
Transition
Transition from one class to another or a change in schools can be unsettling for everyone. The following website includes information and practical tips to help support your child during a time of change.
Change is a normal part of life and can provide opportunities for children and young people to develop their resilience.
Bereavement Support
At Sele First, we recognise that bereavement can have a profound impact on children, young people, families, and staff. We are committed to providing a compassionate, supportive, and understanding environment where those affected by loss feel valued, listened to, and supported.