Mental health support at Blessed Mother Teresa’s Catholic Primary School

Senior Mental health lead- Mr. Angelo Fantauzzo

Educational mental health practitioner (EMHP)- Heather

Blessed Mother Teresa’s work closely with the local authority Mental Health Support Team (MHST)

MHSTs have three core functions:

• To deliver evidence-based interventions for mild-to-moderate mental health issues
• To support the senior mental health lead in school to introduce or develop whole school approach
• To give timely advice to school staff and liaise with external specialist services to help children and young people to get the right support and stay in education

An appropriate referral to MHST would involve children and young people who require low level CBT/ Early intervention and present with low risk. Examples; anxiety/ low mood/ sleep struggles/ worries…

THE REFERRAL PROCESS (which school staff will guide you through)

1. A pupil is identified as struggling with a low intensity mental health concern- This can be identified through staff, pupil and parent voice.
2. The young person is discussed at consultation anonymously with EMHP practitioner, Heather, and the School Staff.
3. Consent is gained from the parent(s) before a referral form is completed and sent to MHST
4. The referral is screened for risk by MHST senior practitioners and actions taken accordingly. Please note all risk is discussed at consultation and a safety plan completed if appropriate
5. Referrals discussed during weekly MHST referral meeting
6. The outcome may be – accepted for an initial assessment / further information required / declined as unsuitable / signposted
7. If accepted for assessment – MHST will arrange an initial assessment with the young person’s family and young person.
8. If a referral requires further information, MHST will liaise with school/family/other agencies as appropriate. If considered unsuitable following this then the MHST service will do our best to signpost the young person to the most appropriate service. The referrer, GP and school will be informed of the outcome.

Assessment and Intervention Process

• Assessments can be conducted in school, online or in a clinic.
• MHST typically offers between 6-8 sessions of support. This support can be in school or online and either on a 1:1 or group basis. We can also see young people in a clinic setting if appropriate and during school holidays
• CBT-based interventions require motivation and a willingness to make changes, including completing tasks outside of sessions. Support from family members plays a crucial role in this process.
• These sessions provide young people with the opportunity to explore and work through their difficulties in a supportive environment.

Whole school approach to mental health

Blessed Mother Teresa’s is working closely with the MHST to deliver a whole school approach to mental health. Working towards equipping staff, pupils and parents with the tools necessary to take care of their own mental health and wellbeing, as well as identify if others are struggling and where to signpost them for support.

Blessed Mother Teresa’s Mental Health offer currently includes:

• Our EMHP, Heather, is in school each Thursday
• On Thursdays Heather can offer drop-in sessions for students
• 1:1 low level CBT sessions/Interventions- accessed through referrals
• 5 ways to wellbeing approach in class
• Mood Bears
• Wellbeing Ambassadors
• Friendship Workshops

If you would like any further information for mental health support within school, please email our school office and our senior mental health lead who will make contact with you to discuss in more detail.