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Back to school mental health resources
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Remploy mental health support
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Fuel Grant
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Restoration of School Screening
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March 2021 Safeguarding Update
Back to school mental health resources
Even though we’ve been through it before, the return to school after a prolonged coronavirus lockdown is still a strange and challenging situation.
Across the UK some schools may have already fully reopened, and others will be preparing to open soon. It may take some time for children and staff to adjust to being back in the classroom once again, and there may be anxieties and concerns among both groups.
Below are some resources to help staff and students navigate the transition back into school. Many of these resources were created for the initial return to school after the first lockdown, but all include lots of useful advice and activity suggestions applicable to this return too.
The Mentally Healthy Schools team at the Anna Freud Centre
Back to school pupil resourcesClick here Brain breaks: helping children settle back into the classroom Click here ‘Back to better’ resource pack – Red Cross Reflecting on lockdown activity Going back to school worksheet – Partnership for Children |
Resources for schools
Separation anxiety: tools for teachers
Following lockdown, some children may have increased anxiety about returning to school, particularly separation anxiety at leaving their parents and carers. This document has been produced to guide teachers in supporting pupils exhibiting anxiety.
Loss and bereavement advice – MindEd
Some children may have experienced bereavement in the time they have been away from school, and there has been a sense of loss for many. This webpage includes lots of useful advice for schools on how to support children during this time.
Return to school resources – Place2Be
A selection of assembly ideas and class-based activities to support your school community as it comes back together.
Remploy mental health support
Remploy mental health support appointments – 6th April, please attached for more information
Restoration of School Screening
Applies to – Primary
I just wanted to let you know we are currently putting together our restoration plan for Reception vision and hearing screening- it is such a key age for both areas of screening..
We appreciate how busy schools are right now as children return, and have been or will be in touch.
We have a duty of care we have to work within policy and procedure, our own as well as schools and that the sessions are underpinned by a risk assessment and with staff wearing full PPE including Scrubs (as we did before Christmas).
Libby Evans – 0-19 Team Leader
Halton 0-19 Healthy Child Service
Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Health Care Resource Centre, Oaks Place, Caldwell Road, Widnes WA8 7GD
Tel: 0151 495 5018 | Text Relay: 18001 0151 495 5018 I mob: 07392 864002
Secure email: libby.evans2@nhs.net
Do you know a parent/carer or young person 11-19 years who needs confidential advice and support, ask them to access us on www.chathealth.nhs.uk
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/halton019service/
Follow us on Twitter: @Halton019
Fuel Grant
Please see attached Fuel grant information
March 2021 Safeguarding Update
To all Headteachers and DSLs,
I hope you are well and the return to the full opening of schools has gone smoothly so far. A few important updates and useful documents to share with you in this safeguarding update.
DSL Workshop – Link to documents and PowerPoint slides
It was fantastic to have over 50 safeguarding leads join us for the 2nd DSL Workshop last week. I very much hope you found the session beneficial. For those that could not join us, the session included a CPD element related to CCE and CSE. Here is a link where you will be able to download a copy of the PowerPoint and the other important documents referred to over the afternoon.
10 Minute CPD – Whole staff briefing on CSE.
To coincide with ‘StopCSE’ awareness day on 18th March, I have created a 10 minute safeguarding briefing. It is designed to be used at the start of a staff meeting, but can be adapted to suit your setting. A copy can be downloaded via this link.
Updated Safeguarding Policy Addendum
With the return of all pupils, I have updated the policy addendum to ensure it reflects current practices. A copy can be accessed here.
Supervision for DSLs. SIGN UP!
Supervision or ‘Professional Reflection’ is something I am really passionate about and have experienced first-hand the impact it can have upon staff wellbeing. There is also a growing expectation that supervision is offered to all DSLs in schools and it is likely to be included within Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021.
What is supervision? At its simplest, supervision is a forum where supervisees review and reflect on their work in order to do it better. Practitioners bring their actual work-practice to another person (individual supervision), or to a group (small group or team supervision), and with their help review what happened in their practice in order to learn from that experience. Ultimately, supervision is for better quality service.
Drawing upon my training in delivering supervision, for those who feel it would be of benefit or don’t already have it in place, I propose establishing termly small, group supervision sessions for any Headteacher’s and DSLs who wish to join. Due to the current restrictions, I hope to complete a pilot group during the summer term, before rolling out the full service from September 2021.
In order to assist me in gaining a clear picture of the demand and to sign up for the sessions in September, if you have not already done so, please could all schools complete this short questionnaire and expression of interest form.
Issues with online behaviours? “It was just a joke!”
Suitable for both primary and secondary; Childnet have a fantastic series of resources and ‘quick activities’ which can be used with children from age 9+
https://www.childnet.com/resources/just-a-joke
New Government Publication – Online Challenges and Hoaxes
This new document was discussed at last week’s DSL workshop – Click the link below if you want to add it to your school’s safeguarding portfolio.
Operation Encompass
In preparation for a forthcoming pilot across Halton to review and expand Operation Encompass to children aged 2+, I am going to be updating the Op Encompass materials and delivering a few short briefings for nursery settings DSL’s on ‘what to do if you receive an Operation Encompass alert.’ If you are new to role, or would appreciate a refresher and feel that this training would also be of benefit, the dates are:
Thursday 25 March 2021 @ 13:30 – 15:00
Monday 29 March 2021 @ 9:30 – 11:00
As with all my training, please send me an email with delegates names and email addresses and I will send out a link closer to the time.
The updated materials will then be shared within my April update.
Referrals to iCART
Submitting a referral to iCART? Please don’t forget to complete at least one of the assessment toolkits, including the child’s wishes and feelings, along with your referral form and ensure you have received consent from parents (unless this would increase the risk to the child – such as sexual abuse or Fabricated illness)
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Training 2021
Due to current restrictions, it is anticipated that all of my courses during the 2020/21 academic year will be delivered remotely, via Microsoft Teams. In order to reserve a place, please email Benjamin.holmes@halton.gov.uk
- DSL Workshop for ALL DSL’s. These are the main DSL updates and workshops. It is best practice for all schools to try and attend these meetings each term. (The agenda will be sent out prior to the meeting)
29 June 2021 – 1pm – 4pm
- Safer Recruitment for Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Business Managers and Governors
23 April 2021 – 9:15am – 4:30pm – Fully Booked
30 April 2021 – 9:15am – 4:30pm
9 June 2021 – 9:15am – 4:30pm
- Safer Recruitment Refresher for Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Business Managers and Governors. (A certificate from the full course must be seen before a place can be reserved on this course)
26 April 2021 – 9:30am – 12:30pm
- New to the role of DSL (Or infrequent user) This essential course is in addition to ‘Working Together L3 Safeguarding Training’ (which is delivered by the safeguarding partnership) and focusses on the role of DSL within a school setting – including managing referrals, specific areas of safeguarding and recording & reporting concerns.
4 May 2021 – 9:30am – 4pm
- Designated Governor for Safeguarding Training. This course is aimed at any governor who has a specific safeguarding responsibility as part of their role. It will provide them with a clear understanding of suitable processes and procedures to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.
1 course, split over 2 evenings – 18 & 25 May 2021 – 6pm – 9pm
- Governor Safeguarding Training All Governors should receive safeguarding training in line with all members of staff and volunteers a minimum of once every three years, with regular updates during this time. This can be delivered using the whole school training materials. However, if preferred, Governors can attend this course which looks at safeguarding in schools from a Governor perspective. (They will still need to ensure that they understand the school’s specific processes and procedures)
23 March 2021 – 9:30am – 12:30pm
5 July 2021 – 6pm – 9pm
If any further dates or training needs are identified, then I will do my best to provide these for schools, wherever possible. However, I do not have capacity to deliver training to full governing bodies in school, in the same way I cannot deliver whole staff safeguarding training. For September 2021, I will look to produce an adapted L2 training materials pack for use with full governing bodies, which can then be delivered by the school’s own safeguarding teams.
Places on all courses can be reserved by emailing Benjamin.holmes@halton.gov.uk
Take care, keep safe and remember, I am here if there is anything you want to discuss.