Our Commitment to Mental Health and Wellbeing Support for All

Our commitment to providing a supportive environment ensures that everyone in our school community can thrive and reach their full potential.

Ensuring a supportive environment for all

At the Moorland Federation Schools, the mental health and wellbeing of our students and staff are central to our ethos. We are deeply committed to fostering a supportive environment where every member of our community can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Pupil Mindfulness

To promote positive mental health and wellbeing, we provide mindfulness sessions for both students and staff. These sessions enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, and stress management skills. In addition, our comprehensive mental health and wellbeing strategies underpin our commitment to creating a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere across all our schools.

Recognising the importance of early intervention, we actively work to identify students who may need additional support for their mental health. Our schools collaborate closely with local children and young people’s mental health services, including Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) where available. This partnership ensures that students receive timely access to appropriate care and resources.

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

ELSA support in schools is a project designed to help schools support the emotional needs of their pupils.

ELSA acknowledges that children and young people learn best when they feel happier and their emotional needs are being addressed.

The initiative was developed and supported by educational psychologists who used knowledge of how children develop socially and emotionally and apply this knowledge to the needs of pupils.

ELSAs are trained to plan and deliver programmes of support to pupils in their school who may be experiencing temporary or long term additional emotional needs.

A lot of work that ELSAs do will be on an individual basis with one child, however, there are cases where group sessions may be appropriate such as when working on social skills and friendship skills.

Mental Health First Aider

A key aspect of our approach is the presence of a qualified Mental Health First Aider within our staff team, specifically trained to provide immediate support and guidance to colleagues. Additionally, many of our staff members are trained in Mental Health First Aid, equipping them to identify and assist individuals facing mental health challenges. These training opportunities, provided through the Mental Health Charter and other specialised services, are a vital part of our commitment to wellbeing.

Our approach to mental health and wellbeing is informed by the SEARCH framework, which focuses on strengths, emotional management, attention and awareness, relationships, coping strategies, and habits and goals. By embedding these principles into our daily practices, we ensure a well-rounded and proactive approach to supporting mental health.

Money First Aider

We understand that financial challenges can significantly impact overall wellbeing, and that’s why we are thrilled to have embraced the Money First Aid training.

This training provides our team with the knowledge and confidence to have supportive conversations and guide individuals to the right resources and organisations, ensuring they receive the help they need.

Money first aid is about supporting people who are experiencing financial difficulty.
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Collaborative Approach

We also prioritise staff wellbeing through investments in personal and professional development. By fostering collaboration and promoting a supportive team ethic, we not only enhance staff retention but also create a positive and productive environment for everyone within the Moorland Federation Schools.

Collaboration is at the heart of our efforts, as our staff work together to share knowledge, resources, and best practices. This collective approach enables us to provide robust mental health and wellbeing support for all members of our school community.

Mental health and wellbeing are essential to the success and happiness of our students and staff. By prioritising these values, nurturing a supportive environment, and working collaboratively, we aim to build a community where everyone can flourish and achieve their goals.

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