At St Wulstan's, children's emotional wellbeing is central to everything we do. We want every child to feel safe, understood, valued and ready to learn.
We recognise that children may sometimes experience worries, difficult emotions, changes at home, friendship problems, bereavement or other challenges. Our staff work alongside children, families and external professionals to provide compassionate, appropriate support.
We are proud to be a Trauma Informed Schools UK school. This means that our staff understand how difficult or overwhelming experiences can affect a child's emotions, behaviour, relationships and ability to learn.
Our approach is based on connection, compassion and curiosity. We seek to understand what may be happening for a child and help them feel safe and supported. This does not mean that there are no boundaries or expectations. Instead, we use calm, consistent and relational approaches to help children regulate their emotions, repair relationships and make positive choices.
Trauma-informed practice benefits every child, while being particularly supportive for children who have experienced adversity, loss, change or disruption.
Find out more about Trauma Informed Schools UK
We have a trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) in school, Mrs Johnson.
ELSA support is a planned, time-limited intervention for children who may need some additional help with their emotional development. Depending on a child's needs, sessions may focus on:
ELSA sessions may take place individually or in a small group. Support is tailored to the child, with progress reviewed regularly.
An ELSA is not a therapist and does not diagnose mental health conditions. If a child needs specialist help, we will speak with their parent or carer and consider an appropriate referral or signposting to another service.
Children may be identified for pastoral support following:
If you have any concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing, please speak to their class teacher in the first instance. They will listen to your concerns and help identify the most appropriate support or next steps.
We will listen to your concerns and agree the most appropriate next step with you. This might include support in school, practical strategies for home, signposting or a referral to another service.
We believe children are best supported when school, home and other professionals work together. Wherever appropriate, we will involve parents and carers in decisions about pastoral support and referrals.
Information is handled sensitively and shared only with those who need it to support the child. However, if we believe a child may be at risk of harm, we have a legal and professional responsibility to follow our safeguarding procedures. Please see our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for further information.
When a child needs support beyond what the school can provide, we may discuss referring or signposting the family to one of the following services.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provide specialist assessment and treatment for children and young people experiencing significant mental health difficulties.
CAMHS referrals are normally made by a professional who knows the child, such as a GP, teacher, school nurse or social worker. The service considers each referral against its referral criteria. If we believe a CAMHS referral may be appropriate, we will discuss this with the child's parent or carer.
Visit the Worcestershire CAMHS website
Read the CAMHS referral information
Melo is an early-help emotional wellbeing and mental health service provided by ONSIDE. It supports children and young people aged 0-25, as well as their families, across Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
Support may include help with early mental health concerns, emotional wellbeing, coping skills and resilience. Melo practitioners consider referrals and help families identify the most appropriate support.
Families can contact the Worcestershire service directly:
Find out more about Melo and make a referral
We have links with the Worcestershire School Health Nursing Service and the local Wyre Forest team. School health nurses support school-aged children, young people and families with a range of physical, emotional and developmental health needs.
Support may include advice about:
Parents, carers and young people can contact the Worcestershire Public Health Nursing service on 01905 520032.
Find out more about Worcestershire School Health Nursing
School pastoral support is not an emergency or crisis service.
If you believe a child or young person is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical attention, call 999 or go to the nearest Accident and Emergency department.
For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
If you are worried that a child is being harmed, neglected or is otherwise unsafe in Worcestershire, contact the Family Front Door on 01905 822666. If there is an immediate danger, call 999.
Children and young people can also contact:
Asking for help is a positive first step. If you are worried about your child's emotional wellbeing, or if your child would like someone to talk to, please contact your child's class teacher using the details below:
Reception and Year 1: reception_wul@emmausmac.com
Year 2 and Year 3: ks1_wul@emmausmac.com
Year 4 and Year 5: lks2_wul@emmausmac.com
Year 6: year6_wul@emmausmac.com
School Office: 01299 877808