The following staff are all accredited Mental Health First Aiders, and are always available to talk with children or staff in need:

Mrs S Patton (Headteacher, Senior Mental Health Lead)

Mrs C Furniss (Assistant Head)

Mrs C Buckley (F1 teacher)

Mrs D Roxby (Senior HLTA/Trauma Champion)

Miss S Lindley (HLTA)

Mrs S Powell (TA)

Mrs J Archer (TA)

Mrs C Eagle (TA)

Mrs W Hookway (Finance Officer)

Every Friday morning, before we start our learning, we hold a 'Time to Talk' session with the children.  They get to chose the topic - it may be friendship related, worries they have about a current news story or anything that has cropped up as an issue for the class that week.  We spend time reflecting on any topics that are causing worries or concerns and generally listen and respond to each other.  If the class needs more time, or it is an urgent issue (that may have arisen on the playground, or on the way to school etc), we will always allow time for this to be aired in a timely manner, and encourage children to always share their worries with the grownups.  Children also have time 1:1 with a grown up to discuss anything that is worrying them if this is needed, and we would contact parents if we felt the concern needed to be shared or followed up at home.

Occasionally, a child may benefit from more structured sessions, and we run groups such as Rainbows (for bereavement or loss/divorce), Lego therapy (for practicing social skills) and Volcano in My Tummy (for pupils who may be experiencing 'big' emotions such as anger or frustration).

We also have access to a counsellor, who we can refer specific children to if needed, but there may be a waiting list for this service.  Additional, more urgent support may be found via CAMHS (NHS-based Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), who we can make referrals to if needed.

There are many wonderful support services out there that can be accessed online as parent, if you would like to learn more about supporting your child's mental health - please contact the office if you would like advice or you are concerned about your child at admin@soa.dsat.education and they will forward the email to a member of staff who can help.

Understanding your child's feelings:

Maybe you have heard about the brilliant online courses for parents, FREE (with access code: STGEORGE at: www.inourplace.co.uk) for residents in our area?
The Solihull Approach (NHS) have launched a NEW online course!

How do I access?
www.inourplace.co.uk 

What’s the code?
 If you haven’t used it already here is the access code for all the online courses (funded for residents of Doncaster): STGEORGE
 If, like many parents, you have already used this code, log into your account here and this course will be ready in your dashboard to start whenever you are ready.

Can I tell my family and friends?
Absolutely! Share the news with other families in the area so that they too can take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.

How long is it?
There are 7 modules which each take about 5 minutes to complete and will benefit from time to digest in between.

If you like this…
…you might like the bigger ‘Understanding your child’ or ‘Understanding your child with additional needs’, or other courses in the series. www.inourplace.co.uk

Useful information for Parents around Mental Health & Well-being

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Helplines and websites:

Child-line Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call them on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Child-line an email or post on the message boards. 

Young Minds The Parents Helpline is available to offer advice to anyone worried about a child or young person under 25. You may have questions about a child’s behaviour, emotional well-being, or mental health condition. You may have a child who’s already been admitted to CAMHS and have questions about their treatment or want to know what to say to your GP when you visit them. Call 0808 802 5544 or visit the website.

NSPCC If you are worried about a child you can contact their trained helpline counsellors for 24/7 help, advice and support 0808 0800 5000. 

The Mix 0808 808 4994 - Free information and support for under 25's in the UK. Get advice about sex, relationships, drugs, mental health, money & jobs. 

 Relate -Providers of counselling services to Children from age 5 and their families 01274 726096 .

Supportline -Listed on here are some helplines and websites where children and young people can get information, advice and support. 

Charlie Waller Memorial Trust- aims to increase public awareness of the nature, symptoms and dangers of depression and reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. 

Winstons Wish -  the UK’s childhood bereavement charity. We support children and their families after the death of a parent or sibling.

If you are concerned that yourself or another is experiencing a Mental Health crisis-Urgent Help:

To access official advice given by the NHS on dealing with a mental health crisis, you can click here and see what steps to take and at which point to take those measures.