About The School
Curriculum
Additional Support
Admissions
OFSTED Report
Calendar & Events
Learning ResourcesThere are times in a young person’s educational career when a limited placement at a special needs school will help him to overcome the behavioural, emotional or social problems he displays. But retaining links with his mainstream school is important. When this is identified, the school works in partnership with the Children’s Services and the mainstream school. A typical example of how Chaigeley would support this need would be for one of our staff to accompany the pupil on the day or days that he is at his mainstream school.
Additional Support
Chaigeley provides a broad range of additional support for our pupils. The pastoral care of pupils is an essential element of meeting their special needs and making progress. On a daily basis, pupils have access to the Pupil Support and Therapy Services (see links) for both timetabled or ‘drop-in’ support as/when needed.
The links between staff have been recognised by Ofsted as “fostering pupils enjoyment and achievement positively”. We also strive to develop positive relationships with parents/carers of our pupils , and with relevant outside agencies, so that each individual pupil gets the support they need to succeed at school.
Therapeutic support is considered an important part of the overall care for children who experience emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. The goal of therapy at Chaigeley is to enhance the development and personal wellbeing of the pupils, as well as provide advice and support for staff. By offering psychological support to the pupils we can support them to reach their true potential, both academically and personally.
Concerns leading to referral may include:
- Anger/Temper
- Fighting
- Sadness
- Low Self Esteem
- Aggression
- Worry
- Lack of respect
- Lack of co-operation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Problems with friends
- Poor Self Image
- Difficulty forming healthy relationships
- Poor communication/social skills
- Difficulty in understanding or dealing with emotions and feelings.
In support of addressing behaviours displayed, Chaigeley have a therapeutic team that can offer an assessment, intervention and outcome process. Therapeutic sessions can take on a one-to-one basis, in pairs, or in small groups.
The Therapy service at Chaigeley currently includes: Mentoring, Coaching, Anger Management, Counselling, Bereavement Counselling, Psycho-Educational sessions re: substance abuse, Speech and Language Therapy.
REFERRAL
Pupils are often referred by staff but they can self-refer too. Parents/Carers are also welcome to refer or request support. We have a Therapy Coordinator who facilitates this service and also researches additional therapies valuable to our pupils and seeks to develop the department to deliver these services.
Support is provided by external agencies as and when required
The pupil support team are an experienced group of staff members who are on duty every day. They carry out practical tasks, such as ensuring all pupils are safe and accounted for, supporting specific lessons etc. but they are also on hand to deal with any issues which may arise during the school day. These may include: providing a ‘time-out’ facility for distressed or agitated pupils, mediating between pupils, helping pupils to reflect upon their behaviour, working individually with pupils – either in the classroom or designated work area, escorting pupils to medical/dental appointments, attending multi-agency meetings, to name just a few areas where they support pupils on a daily basis. The pupil support team has strong links with the therapy service, and also the Student Council.
The School engages the services of a Speech and Language therapist who to work with pupils and provide training to staff.
As with Dual Registration support, we also support pupils who are making a return to full time mainstream schooling following a longer period at Chaigeley. The re-integration back to mainstream is phased over a period of one or two terms, with the pupil spending increasingly more time at the new school each half-term. In the initial stages, a member of staff will accompany the pupil until he feels comfortable and confident in the new setting.
In school we have 3 staff trained as tutors of Team Teach. This training is for all members of staff that work directly with the young people who display challenging behaviours.
Training includes:
- How to reduce the use of physical intervention and risk
- The use of verbal, non-verbal de-escalation strategies before positive handling techniques are required
- Using the least intrusive positive handling strategy and a continuum of gradual and graded techniques
- Legislation and policy
2 inset days are set aside each year for staff training.
At Chaigeley School we value the importance of recognising and promoting good mental health and wellbeing in our pupils’ and staff.
What is mental Health?
“ A state of (complete) physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”
“ The emotional and spiritual resilience which allows us to enjoy life and survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive sense of wellbeing and an underlying belief in our own, and others, dignity and worth”
The World Health Organisation
We are developing a whole school approach to promote resilience and improve emotional wellbeing, preventing mental health problems from arising, and providing early support when they do.
We want to use different activities to inform our pupils’ what mental health and wellbeing is all about, listen and support.
We want to train our staff so they are well prepared to support pupils’, parent / carers
Below is a list of some useful resources and websites that can be easily accessed to provide further help and support.
CORONAVIRUS SPECIFIC
The sites below may help you in talking to children about Coronavirus and managing anxiety and also provides some general advice on managing anxiety and stress at this time
Tips on managing stress and supporting children through times of worry
supporting children through virus
https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/talking-children-about-coronavirus
Mental Health Crisis line and Know Your Mind updated details Apr 20 – Crisis Line, HOS & KtYM social media posts April 2020
Bereavement Support – Information for children, families
and professionals during Covid-19 – 9 Bereavement Support
Managing Anxiety during Coronanvirus – Anxiety in children and the Coronavirus
British Psychological Society tips for talking to young people https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51861089
Newsround video clip for children https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/3210-tips-for-families-coronavirus
Tips for families https://www.thedadsnet.com/this-free-book-is-great-for-explaining-covid-19-coronavirus-to-your-children
Comic book style story about coronavirus https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pandemics-and-the-Coronavirus.pdf?fbclid=IwAR23zxNlbEumpw4oKlM7Xy3VlKnA25b8Gi53N6YiFIeKB9Vx0LQypSPYzzg
Social story https://krisepsykologi.no/what-can-we-say-to-children-about-coronavirus/ Guide for parents and professionals
https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/ Animation for older children
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus?t=1584464333506 A comic exploring coronavirus for young people
https://www.adamspsychologyservices.co.uk/coronavirus.html Comprehensive guide for adults to manage a range of situations related to coronavirus
https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/calming-coronavirus-anxiety-children-everyone-else/#
Update Advice for parents of children with SEN https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/ Advice from The Child Mind Institute
https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/coronavirus-story-for-children/ ELSA coronavirus story for children
https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource Parent resources from National Association of School Psychologists
Anxiety Resources (generic and targeted) https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2 World Health Organisation advice for maintaining good mental health at this time
https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/ To support young people in managing virus related anxiety
https://www.apa.org/news/apa/2020/03/covid-19-research-findings Advice for managing the volume of anxiety inducing news
Staying safe during COVID-19 A guide for victims and survivors of domestic abuse
Safety planning guide, victims and survivors, COVID-19
GENERAL
KOOTH – https://www.kooth.com/ Kooth will continue to provide online mental health and wellbeing support to young people via any internet accessible device. Kooth provides an opportunity to interact in a supportive way with other young people as well as receive support from a qualified counsellor. To find out more visit www.Kooth.com where young people can register and others can find out more about the service. How to sign up to Kooth
Internet searches and safeguarding
leaflet Explaining CAMHS Referral to Parents
Leaflet for Pupils Explaining Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness – Surviving and Thriving
Pupil Wellbeing Ambassador Programmes
Self-harm and Suicidal Behaviours
Social, Mental and Emotional Health Policy
Stress Management Leaflet for Pupils
Supporting_Pupils with Anxiety_20170628
The Role of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Governor
The_Mental Health Green Paper ÔÇô What Schools Need to Know
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51873799 Generic tips to support good mental health
https://www.gozen.com website with activities to support children experiencing anxiety. Their YouTube channel has guided videos with relaxation, deep breathing and meditations
Undertakingan Effective Pupil Wellbeing Audit
YJS Teenage Relationship Abuse leaflet