Mental Health

Children's Mental Health

At Hunslet Carr, we have a range of initiatives in place to support our children, both in school and at home. Our commitment to emotional wellbeing is reflected in the various programmes we offer. CREW is our main tool across school for recognising and responding to children’s emotional needs, which is further supported by daily 'Check-ins', friendship groups, and a selection of after-school clubs.
For those children who may need additional support, we are fortunate to have Gareth Hobson, an Art Psychotherapist from Impact North, available on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Gareth leads weekly groups, provides individual sessions, and offers valuable assistance to families navigating mental health challenges.
Furthermore, as part of the JESS Cluster, Hunslet Carr can refer students to an array of professionals and services, including counselling, parent support, youth work, and MindMate, ensuring that our children receive comprehensive care.
If you or your child are feeling overwhelmed or in need of support with their emotional wellbeing, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can contact our SENDCo, Donna Bedlow ([email protected]), our Parent Support Officer, Lauren O'Sullivan ([email protected]), or our school Safeguarding Lead, Andy Hinchcliffe ([email protected]). We are here to help!

Child in Year 6 and beyond can access support themselves through The Market Place who offer telephone support sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 3pm and 6pm - 0113 246 1659

Children in Year 6 can also access Kooth. Kooth is commissioned by the NHS to provide anonymous and personalised mental health support for Children and Young People.

Crisis support can be accessed at all hours via Night OWLS or the Leeds CAMHS Crisis Call, details below.

Night OWLS is a confidential support line for children and young people in crisis. Helping them, their parents and carers living in West Yorkshire. They are available 8pm - 8am. Call their free phone number 0300 200 3900, text them on 07984 392 700, or chat at www.wynightowls.org.uk

Leeds CAMHS Crisis Call is a freephone service to support children, young people, parents, and carers whatever the circumstances by listening, supporting, advising, and signposting. The team will ensure that all callers receive an efficient and timely response for anyone up to aged 18 years in critical moments, so that you get fast access to help when needed. They are open 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in Leeds, and their number is 0800 953 050.

Details of other organisations that provide urgent support for children in a crisis can be found by clicking here

Below is some useful information on how to support your child's mental health at home.
Listen......
Regularly ask how your children how they are doing. This will help them get used to talking about their feelings and to know you'll be ready to listen if they need or want to talk. For some useful information about starting a conversation with your child about mental health, please click here

Support them through difficulties.....
Pay attention to their emotions and behaviour, and try to help them work through difficulties. It's not always easy when faced with challenging behaviour, but try to help them understand what they're feeling and why. Please click here for some really useful information on managing difficult behaviour and emotions.

Encourage their interests......
Being active or creative, learning new things and being a part of a team help connect us with others and are important ways we can all help our mental health. Support and encourage them to explore their interests, whatever they are.
Although organised activities help us connect, unstructured time, where children can control what, why and how they play, is vital for good mental health. Please click here for a useful information resource on the benefits of child-directed play.

Take what they say seriously...
Listening to and valuing what children say, without judging their feelings help them feel valued. Consider how to help them process and work through their emotions in a more constructive way.
Please click here for some useful resources for supporting children who are worried.

Useful Links