Promoting and Supporting Mental Health & Student Wellbeing in Schools
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Transcript of Promoting and Supporting Mental Health & Student Wellbeing in Schools
Promoting and Supporting Mental Health & Student
Wellbeing in Schools
Dr Treasa KirkSenior InspectorDepartment of Education and Skills
Frances ShearerNational CoordinatorSPHE National Support Service
Children’s Mental Health Coalition1 March, 2012
Promoting Wellbeingin Primary & Post-Primary Schools
SPHE coordination Home-school links Guidance provision Learning-support SEN support
Positive teaching and learning environment
Student care systems and support for students
Whole-school approach, subject planning & co-ordination structures
Development of SPHE plan and RSE policy & plan
Guidance plan (post-primary) – framework of student support and intervention
Critical Incident Management Plan
Procedures/policy in relation to visiting speakers/outside agencies
Policies – child protection, substance use, anti-bullying, communication with parents
3 Key Elements - Whole-school caring & positive ethos
- Timetabled SPHE (& RSE) provision
- Integration across other curricular areas/subjects
Promoting Wellbeing in Primary & Post-Primary Schools through Curriculum
Primary: 3 StrandsPost-Primary: 10 modules
SPHE Curriculum including RSE - Infants to Junior Cycle
Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) – Senior Cycle
“to enhance the emotional wellbeing and mental health of pupils…
…..foster a sense of care & respect for self…..to support children’s
physical, mental, emotional and social well-being”
Other Relevant Curricular Developments (NCCA)
4 interconnected relevant themes include: Wellbeing Identity and Belonging
Aistear: Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA, 2010)
Towards a Framework for Junior Cycle: Innovation & Identity (NCCA, 2011)
“to contribute directly to the physical, mental & social wellbeing of students”
Relevant Skills: - Managing myself - Staying well - Communicating - Working with others
Supports for Schools
CPDCPD
SPHE Post-Primary Support Service
&HSE
(Health Promotion)
SPHE Post-Primary Support Service
&HSE
(Health Promotion)
NCSENCSE
InspectorateInspectorate
NEPSNEPS
NCCANCCA
SchoolSchool
NationalSupport Services
- WSE- Subject inspection- Incidental Inspections
NEPS Service to Schools
• Regionally-based psychological service• 90 % of student population have access (remainder access to DES
scheme)
Consultative model combining individual casework with support & development work
Problem-solving and solution-focused approach
Continuum of support implementation in all schools
Increasing focus on social, emotional & behavioural difficulties
NEPS Mission: To support the personal, social and educational development of all children through the application of psychological theory and practice in education, having particular regard for children with SEN
• SPHE Interdepartmental Committee - DES, HSE & Department of Health
• Sub-committee established 2010– Inspectorate, Department of Education & Skills (DES)– National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)– Department of Health & Children, OMCYA– Health Service Executive (HSE)– National SPHE Support Service
Interdepartmental Draft Mental Health Guidelines
Legislative Context Education Act (1998) EPSEN (2004) Developing a Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for Schools 2008
(NEWB)
Reach Out National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005-2014
Interdepartmental Draft Mental Health Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools
Mental Health Literature Review completed (website)
Consultation Process with range of Stakeholders & Interest Groups completed
Integration of existing programmes / approaches to support implementation of SPHE & the NEPS continuum of support
Emphasises a whole-school co-ordinated approach to mental health promotion/suicide prevention
Three levels of Support
Support (for ALL)
School Support(for Some)
School SupportPlus (for a Few)
Each level of support builds on the preceding level
Interdepartmental Draft Mental Health Guidelines for Post-Primary SchoolsNEPS Continuum of Support for Students
CPD support aims to enable schools to support the mental, emotional and social wellbeing of students by:
Maintaining inclusive and caring whole-school environments Having clear student support structures Increasing staff awareness about mental & emotional health Implementing appropriate SPHE/RSE Programmes
Current Focus of CPD Support for Post-Primary Schools
The SPHE Support Service provides: CPD for teachers of SPHE CPD for whole staff groups eg Promoting Student
Welfare and Bullying Prevention and Intervention Support in implementing the Health Promoting
Schools’ Model CPD in Child Protection Links with wide range of organisations
How Support is Provided to Schools
NEPS, NBSS and SPHE Support Service take a whole-school / systems approach to promoting the health and wellbeing of students.
Mater CAMHS BodyWhys Crisis Pregnancy Programme GLEN BeLonGTo
Schools can be supported in:Continuously reviewing the service provided to
young people and their families, particularly with regard to anti-bullying procedures
Fostering open communication with parents and students
Developing a more structured approach to student support teams
Increasing levels of student participationConsistent implementation of SPHE/RSE
Improving Outcomes for Young People
Role of parents
Access to family support services
Informal services – drop in centres/youth cafes
Accessible, youth friendly mental health services
Improving Outcomes for Young People