Wellbeing and Mental health
At Abbeyfield we are committed to supporting our staff, students and families with all aspects of Mental Health and Wellbeing. We work closely with external organisations such as CAMHS and GP’s to ensure that your students have the right support. You can speak to any member of the pastoral, safeguarding or counselling team regarding worries or changes in your young person's mental health- whether you would like some further information, to request a meeting or phone call, or to ask about a referral for support.
Abbeyfield School is an MHST school, meaning that we have access to our local NHS mental health support team for 1 to 1 support, group sessions and also parent/carer. For more information about what services they can offer please see here: Mental Health Support Team (Children and Young People) - NHFT | West Northamptonshire Council
Throughout the year we promote positive messages around mental health and wellbeing through assemblies, events, enrichment opportunities and workshops.
School Counselling Service
Abbeyfield School has a full-time counselling team consisting of 3 members of staff. We can offer up to 10 sessions of targeted counselling intervention, 1 to 1, with students on a referral basis. We work integratively with students, meaning that all our support is bespoke to that young person's needs, and we will work in different ways in response to different presenting problems. What support we offer may vary between different students, based on the level of need and risk identified, and we (wherever possible) promote inclusivity by being flexible and reviewing the effectiveness of our interventions as we go.
We have three sole usage rooms within the school, and the team have access to a wide range of external signposting services and information (local and national). We are also able to offer ad-hoc check ins and sessions with students, as well as providing advice and guidance to staff and parents/carers.
If you would like to speak to a member of the team about a mental health concern for a student, please email counsellors@abbeyfieldschool.org.uk with the relevant information or request a call back.
Our counsellors work closely with the safeguarding, SEN, pastoral and leadership teams to ensure mental health provision is accessible, timely, and appropriate for the entire student body. They are fully qualified and registered under the appropriate national bodies and adhere to ethical and professional guidelines.
For more information about counselling please visit:
www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-is-counselling/
If you are an outside organisation looking to discuss collaboration or supportive working, please email counsellors@abbeyfieldschool.org.uk
*Please note, if a student is already working with an external or private counsellor, they will not be able to access counselling within school – however pastoral teams will be able to support and advise with alternative provision.
Other external sources of support are listed below:
Support for adults
NHS mental health - information and support
MIND - helpline, signposting and crisis support
Samaritans - call 116 123 for free, 24/7 support
Support for young people
Childline - for information or advice call 08001111
Young Minds - for immediate support text YM to 85258 for free, 24/7 support
Samaritans - call 116 123 for free, 24/7 support
Shout - for immediate support text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 support
The Mix - offers free e-mail support, 1-2-1 webchat service and free short-term counselling
Support for parents/carers
Action for Children - Parent Talk
Young Minds - Parent helpline and webchat
Lowdown (www.thelowdown.info)