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. We have various groups for students to join that discuss different areas of emotional wellbeing and offer 1:1 counselling, mentoring and pastoral support.
School Counselling Service
Abbeyfield School has a full-time counselling team – who can provide up to 10 sessions of targeted counselling intervention, 1 to 1, with students on a referral basis. 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).
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 would like more information about how to request a referral into the team, please discuss with your child’s Assistant Head of Year, Head of Year or their Safeguarding Key Worker if they have one.
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