Student Wellbeing
We always recommend that parents consult with staff at the Academy if they are worried about their children and issues affecting their education. This section of the website is designed to provide parents with external sources of information and links to provide support and guidance when children are having difficulties with their wellbeing and advice is being sought. The links are ones that we feel are appropriate and have been discussed with the Governors Safeguarding Committee before adding to this page.
ChatStep awareness
Please be aware that Instances have been recorded in some UK regions of teens using a web based chat room called ‘ChatStep’ to communicate and there have been concerns in relation to offenders exploiting this for CSE.
ChatStep enables you to set up an open or password protected chatroom where content is encrypted. Group chats are possible, limited to 50 people, you can exchange photos with other people. Settings are simple, pictures, sound and timestamps can all be turned on and off. There is one tab that if clicked on automatically downloads an HTML copy of the chat to your hard drive and another tab labelled “Report” lets users report chat rooms breaking the law to the developers.
You can create a room from the home page by typing in any name you like, then your nickname, and an optional password. Then, simply send your friends the room name and they can join up. When you leave, everything is deleted from the servers. ChatStep doesn't log messages, images, or user information. All your messages are encrypted before they're even sent.
Group video will be coming soon to ChatStep where you can video call up to 6 people simultaneously. It’s just another example of the increase in ‘Dark Social’ and the technology of encrypted messaging which is now being used by teens.
Helplines
If you're worried about a child’s health contact your GP or go to 111.nhs.uk (for people aged 5 and over only) or call NHS direct on 111
If a child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening emergency or they cannot keep themselves safe call 999 or go to A&E.
Samaritans – call 116 123
A free, confidential, 24/7 non-judgemental support if you are feeling suicidal. You may also email: jo@samaritans.org
UPDATE 23/06/2021: due to the coronavirus outbreak, they are unable to offer face to face service, telephone and email service remains the same. www.samaritans.org
Young Minds Crisis Messenger – Text “YM” to 85258
A free, confidential, 24/7 crisis text message support service for young people experiencing a mental health crisis with suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying or relationship issues. www.youngminds.org.uk
Young Minds also offer a Parent Helpline: 0808 802 5544 from Monday to Fridays 9.30am – 4pm for parents and carers worried about a child or young person under 25 or have any questions about a child’s behaviour, emotional wellbeing, mental health condition, or have questions about the treatment a child is receiving who’s already been admitted to NHS Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
www.youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-helpline/
The AFC Crisis Messenger – Text ‘AFC’ to 85258
A free, confidential, 24/7 crisis text message support service for anyone (primary and secondary school pupils, parents/carers and school staff) who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. Service helps with suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm bullying or relationship issues. www.annafreud.org
On My Mind – AFC webpage with information for young people to make informed choices about their mental health and wellbeing: www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/
Shout – Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
A free, confidential, 24/7 crisis text message support service for anyone who is struggling to cope with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, relationship problems, bullying or if you're simply feeling overwhelmed. www.crisistextline.uk
The Mix Crisis Messenger – Text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258
A free, confidential, 24/7 crisis text message support service. The Mix offers essential support for under-25s on anything from mental health to drink, drugs, sex and relationships and much more. Email will be responded by trained supporters within 24 hours. A one to one chat service, as well as group chat service is available via the website from 3pm – 11.15pm.
The Mix also offers telephone counselling service for 10-18 year olds. www.themix.org.uk. A helpline is also available between 3pm-12am every day call 080 808 4994
Further services and help available
ChildLine – call 0800 1111
Talk to a trained counsellor for free, anytime between 7.30am till 3.30am every day. UPDATE 23/06/2021: Due to current circumstances their telephone service times have changed to: Monday to Fridays 7.30am – 3.30am, Saturday and Sundays 9am to 3.30am. You can also log in for 1-2-1 chat (the same start times as their telephone service, except their online chat closes at midnight every night) or email, although it may take them a little longer to reply back to emails.
www.childline.org.uk
Kooth – A free, safe and anonymous online counselling service for young people (aged 10-16)
www.kooth.com
Service provides support from qualified counsellors via mobile, tablet and desktop computer. Young people can access support directly without needing a referral, although they will need to register to sign up for counselling.
Counselling available on Monday to Fridays 12pm – 10pm or Saturday and Sundays 6pm – 10pm.
Papyrus - A charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide with a specialist telephone service called HOPELINEUK, call 0800 068 41 41 or text 0778 6209697. For more information
www.papyrus-uk.org
HOPELINEUK is Papyrus’s digital platform that offers support, practical advice and information to young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone who is concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.
Available every day, 365 days a year, 9am – 12 midnight.
CALM – Helpline 0800 58 58 58
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offer a free, confidential, anonymous support, information and signposting telephone and webchat service to anyone in the UK who is feeling down or have hit a wall for any reason. Service is available every day from 5pm – 12 midnight 365 days a year.
UPDATE 23/06/2021: They are taking calls from more people than usual so they may take a little longer to answer. Calls are taken in order, so it’s best to stay in a queue rather than redial.
www.thecalmzone.net
No Panic Youth Helpline: 0330 606 1174
Service for 13-20 year olds who need help with anxiety, panics, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder or any other anxiety related problems, available Mondays to Wednesdays 3pm – 6pm, Fridays 3pm – 6pm or Thursdays 3pm – 8pm, Saturdays 6pm – 8pm. Email support is also available sarah@nopanic.org.uk. For more information
ww.nopanic.org.uk
Anxiety UK – Info Line 03444 775 774
Free and confidential service is available 9.30am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. It’s not a counselling service but they can point parents and young people in the direction of further help and support. There is also text support 07537 416 905 or email them support@anxietyuk.org.uk. Website has lots of information and resources.
www.anxietyuk.org.uk/gethelp/helpline-email-text-live-chat-services/
Family Lives – Helpline 0808 800 2222
Free confidential service for families in England and Wales for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life from age 0 to teenage years (previously known as Parentline). Service is available Monday to Fridays 9am – 9pm, weekends 10am – 3pm. Online chat www.familylives/chat and email support available via askus@familylives.org.uk, as well as several online
Parenting courses. For more information
www.familylives.org.uk
SANE – Out of hours helpline 07984 967 708
SANE is a mental health charity. UPDATE 23/06/2021: Due to current circumstances the helpline is operating differently to before the pandemic. Please leave a message on above phone number giving your first name and a contact number and one of their professionals or senior volunteers will call you back as soon as practicable. Service provides emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers. Service is available every day from 4.30pm – 10.30pm.
You can also contact them via email support@sane.org.uk or website www.sane.org.uk
The Ollie Foundation
A charity dedicated to delivering suicide awareness, intervention and prevention training by working with the community to promote good mental health among young people and those that support them. For more information www.theolliefoundation.org or email contactus@theolliefoundation.org or phone 07715 311891
Switchboard LGBT Helpline – 0300 330 0630
Confidential service available 10am – 10pm, every day 365 days a year. Service provides a safe space listening service via telephone, email or online chat, for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people of all ages from all over UK, or anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender, or any LGBT related issue including their emotional wellbeing. Service is also open to friends, parents, or any family members of LGBT who are looking for general advice and support. www.switchboard.lgbt
Parent Talk - Action for Children is a charity that offers free advice for parents of children (age 0-19) from weaning tips, behaviour, teenage worries to the mental wellbeing of children and parents via website or 1:1 online chats, available Monday 12:30-19:30, Tuesday 10:30-16:30, Wednesday 09:30-16:30, Thursday 12:30-19:30, Friday 09:30-16:00. Outside of these times, leave them a message and one of their parenting coaches will reply within 3 working days. www.parents.actionforchildren.org.uk
Hub of Hope is part of Chasing the Stigma charity that provides a database which lists mental health support nationally and in the local area www.hubofhope.co.uk
GET.gg – Useful website with CBT help to mental health problems. www.getselfhelp.co.uk includes self-help downloadable worksheets (e.g. STOPP techniques, thought diary etc.) videos, audios, therapy resources and information sheets on a range of A to Z mental health topics (e.g. ADHD, anger, coronavirus, mindfulness, OCD, sleep hygiene, tolerating uncertainty, plus many other topics).
MindEd - is a free educational resource on children and young people's mental health for all adults working with, or caring for, infants, children or teenagers. Website aims to give adults the knowledge, understanding and confidence to act on concerns about mental health. www.minded.org.uk
Family-Action – 0808 802 6666
A free FamilyLine service that offers emotional and listening support, guidance or practical information to family members aged 18 years old and over from anywhere in England who are facing difficult situations including financial hardship, mental health problems, social isolation, learning disabilities, domestic abuse, or substance misuse and alcohol problems. Service is via telephone, text message, web chat or email. Available Monday to Friday, 9am – 9pm. Text message service: 07537 404 282, email: familyline@familyaction.org.uk. Or visit website: www.familyaction.org.uk/what-we-do/. There’s an out of hours service for people in crisis – leave a voice-message for a call-back service from a trained professional. Text FAMILYACTION to 85258.
In addition Family-Action provides SEND support and guidance to young people and their families. For more information: www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/send/
Beat Eating Disorders – Youthline 0808 801 0711.
Youthline is a helpline for those under 18 and provides support and information about eating disorders. Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am–8pm during the week, and 4pm–8pm on weekends/bank holidays. A further two helplines are available; Helpline for those over 18: 0808 801 0677;
Studentline (for all students): 0808 801 0811. 1:1 web chats are also available. www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
NSPCC helpline - 0808 800 5000
Helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm or weekends 9am – 6pm. Staffed by trained professionals who can provide expert advice and support to anyone who is concerned or worried about a child’s safety or needs information and guidance. www.nspcc.org.uk They can also help with spotting the signs of abuse.
www.nspcc.org.uk/spotting-signs-child-abuse