At West Croft School, mental health and emotional wellbeing are an important part of school life for both children and staff. We are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our whole school community, ensuring that West Croft is a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported and able to thrive. 

We actively promote positive mental health through a whole-school approach. We work closely with the Mental Health Support Team to provide early help, guidance and targeted support for pupils and families when needed. Mental health awareness days and themed activities help to reduce stigma, build understanding and encourage open conversations about feelings and wellbeing. 

Children are supported to understand and manage their emotions through the use of the Zones of Regulation, regular assemblies and wellbeing-focused learning opportunities. Our Year 6 playground mentors play an important role in supporting younger pupils, promoting positive relationships and ensuring that everyone feels included during playtimes. 

We recognise that staff wellbeing is equally important and are committed to fostering a supportive, caring culture where adults feel listened to and valued. By working together, we aim to create a positive school community where mental health and wellbeing are prioritised every day. 

Useful links for supporting children:

• annafreud.org is a mental health charity that focuses on supporting young people’s mental health with many, many good resources and advice available by using the search function on their website
• youngminds.org is another highly regarded charity that provides resources and a helpline
• Child and family Health Devon helps children and young people in Devon with behaviour, aggression, self-harm, destructiveness, disruptiveness and complex physical health needs
• Mental Health in Schools Team helps children and young people in Devon who are experiencing mild to moderate common mental health difficulties (anxiety, low mood and behavioural difficulties etc).
• Devon Family Hubs – Whether you need advice, support, or just someone to talk to, family hubs help you find the right help, in the right place, at the right time.
• Early help is the initial response offered by all services in contact with children, young people and families when they need extra support to thrive.
• Happy Maps has practical guidance for families supporting focus, learning and wellbeing at home. Compassionate support helping children grow, learn and feel confident every day.
• Place to Be is a leading children’s mental health charity in the UK
• Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage is an engaging child-led, parent/guardian supported therapeutic intervention that can be used on most smartphones or tablets. It facilitates graded exposures (the active ingredient of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) with psychoeducation to empower 7-12 year olds with mild to moderate needs to learn to self-manage fears, worries and anxiety. It is practical, age appropriate, non-stigmatising, encourages self management and provides user progress and health outcomes data in real time to authorised professionals.
• My Way Devon- for Children 11+ 

Useful links for supporting adults:

• NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression referrals
• Talkworks is Devon’s NHS talking therapies service is a free, confidential service
• Devon County Council’s webpages for helping people with mental health needs to find support
• NHS Better Health Every Mind Matters provides advice and practical ways to ease anxiety, manage stress, lift your mood and sleep better
• Headspace is a mental health app