Mental Health issues affect children and young people as well as adults, with more than 850,000 children and young people in the UK having been diagnosed with a mental health condition.

Since September 2014, Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) has also become a category of Special Educational Needs. Children with a SEMH need will receive support in school. 

At St Michael's C of E First School we endeavour to promote positive mental health. We offer a community of support, and will ensure that:

• we help our children to build emotional resilience
• we help our children to develop self-esteem
• we help our children to develop confidence
• we help our children to develop their social skills
• we help our children to feel valued and a part of the school

We provide high levels of Pastoral Support and offer support in the form of 1:1 Pastoral Support, Nurture groups, PSHE and access to many outside agencies. . We encourage children to talk about any issues that are worrying them, and train our staff to be mindful of children's emotional and mental well being. Any concerns are passed to our SEN Lead Mrs Watters or Designated Safeguarding Lead Mr Salway when appropriate to ensure children are properly supported in school.

We work in close partnership with outside agencies, including Parent Family Support Agents, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, the Educational Psychology team and Behaviour Support to ensure the best outcomes for our children.