All staff at Lincoln Carlton Academy are committed to ensuring that everyone within our school community flourishes. We teach the children about the strategies they can implement to manage everyday challenges and teach them how to become more independent when applying these strategies, as well as knowing when to ask for help. These strategies reflect our school ethos and PSHE curriculum intent, to ensure our children have the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives and relationships now and, in the future, within the local community and within the wider world. Our PSHE curriculum intent also sets out to develop children’s emotional intelligence and the ability to articulate their feelings to maintain good mental health, as well as understanding the importance of their physical health and being healthy. They will learn how to manage their emotions, make informed decisions and how to keep themselves safe in different contexts.

Mental Health Definition

Mental health is a state of wellbeing which helps people to realise their own abilities, learn and work well, cope with the stresses that we come across in life and be able to contribute to their community.

Mental Health and wellbeing in action at Lincoln Carlton Academy:

• Our PSHE curriculum is at the heart of our curriculum;
• Within PSHE, there are units specifically taught linked to mental health and wellbeing;
• The child stays at the centre of every conversation and decision;
• Open, honest and age-appropriate conversations around mental health;
• We prioritise those who need extra support, but we promote positive mental health with everyone;
• Staff wellbeing and mental health is a key focus to enable all staff to flourish;
• Themed weeks based on national events such as Children’s mental health week;
• Whisper boxes within classes;
• Children have individual 5 point scales;
• Children have named 5 people (home and school) who they could talk to if they have any worries;
• Twice daily mindfulness programme within school;
• Staff know how to refer children for further wellbeing or mental health support and do so in a timely manner;
• We have a wellbeing team to ensure the needs of both our children and staff are being met;
• The wellbeing team meet fortnightly (or more regularly if needed) and wellbeing is a feature of our leadership team meeting agendas;
• Regular meetings and training with the Mental Health Support Team in Lincoln to consult on cases and to ask for advice, support or next steps;
• Regular parent and carer workshops offered, as well as assemblies or workshops are provided in conjunction with the Mental Health Support Team in Lincoln;
• Signposting parents and carers to extra support or advice from the Here4you line;
• Support materials and information sent out to parents/carers and staff.

We have a mental health provision offer to meet the needs of all children:

• Universal Support- To meet the needs of all our pupils through our ethos and curriculum.

• Classroom targeted support- For those who may have short term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement. These needs can be met through classroom provisions.  

• In house intervention- For pupils who need more differentiated support or specific targeted interventions on a 1:1 or group basis.
• Specialist support- For children who require specialist support from outside agencies such as the Mental Health Support Team, Healthy Minds or CAMHS.

Please see our Mental Health provision offer for specific support and interventions we offer.

What to do if you feel that your child needs further support:

If you have concerns about your child’s mental health or wellbeing, please speak to your child’s class teacher in the first instance. They will then speak to the wellbeing team and a pastoral referral form may be completed by an appropriate member of staff. Information on the form will include what the worries or concerns are, what strategies have been implemented and what has worked and the views of the child.

Mental health and wellbeing support within school:

• Ruth Clark (Mental health lead, Mental Health First Aider, SENDCo)
• Emily Burford (Pastoral lead, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mental Health First Aider)
• Rebecca Malam (Head teacher, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mental Health First Aider)
• Amy Melhuish (Deputy Headteacher, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Curriculum Lead)
• Charlotte Ridd (PSHE Lead)

Wellbeing team (for children and staff):

• Ruth Clark (Mental health lead, Mental Health First Aider, SENDCo)
• Emily Burford (Pastoral lead, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mental Health First Aider)
• Rebecca Malam (Head teacher, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mental Health First Aider)
• Ellie, Freddie and Angelina (wellbeing champions)