Useful Information for Parents and Carers

Hayesfield Girls’ School and Mixed Sixth Form takes the emotional health and wellbeing of every student seriously. We believe that the school can help students build resilience and support them to be mentally healthy.

We all have ups and downs in life but in childhood it can be particularly hard to cope with sad feelings and worries that arise when things are hard or scary. There may be times when your child is unhappy or struggling emotionally. You may notice that they seem low or worried or that their behaviour changes. We may notice that they seem withdrawn or upset at school. If you are worried about your child’s mental health then you are not alone. Many parents and carers have similar worries and stresses. There is good support available from local and national organisations.

The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

The leaflet: Mental health problems in children and young people: guidance for parents and carers provides some useful tips for helping your student plus links to local and national services

Local Services for Children and Young People

The School

Please talk to us about your concerns, so that we can work together to help your child feel better. You can contact your child’s Pastoral Manager by clicking here.

Your GP

A GP can check any physical symptoms linked to your child’s health and talk with you about their emotional well-being making a referral to a specialist service if necessary.

The School Nurse

Parents/carers can contact the Bath and North East Somerset School Nurse Service for advice and support on a range of health issues.

Student and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

A free NHS service that assesses and treats 0-18-year olds with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.

Kooth

Children and young people aged 11 and over are also able to access support themselves from B&NES Kooth. This provides links to advice as well as online counselling.

Off the Record

Counselling service for young people.

Emotional Difficulties

The following organisations provide reliable information and advice to help parent/carers to support their child when experiencing emotional difficulties:-

Young Minds: Help for Parents
Information about all aspects of student mental health, including a Parent Helpline 0800 802 5544

Childline
Lots of information and tips for children of all ages about feelings and difficult situations

Minded for Families
Free learning resource about mental health for parents and carers

Happy Maps
Lots of information about health topics including mental health, organised under different age groups including secondary age and young adults

Looking After Your Own Mental Health

In order to support your child, you need to stay strong and well yourself. It isn’t easy being a parent or carer especially when you are experiencing problems of your own such as relationship difficulties, money worries, problems with work. Often it helps to talk to someone, so don’t be scared about doing this, with friends, family, your GP or a support service. The following organisations can also offer information and advice to help you.

The Wellbeing College

Directory and database of groups, activities and courses in the community that can support adult wellbeing.

Talking Therapies

Accessed through GP or self-referral.

MyScript- Social prescribing service

Available to anyone registered with a GP in B&NES. This service provides support in finding specialist services and community groups to help individuals experiencing mental health and wellbeing issues to take control of their situation.