A key function of the Wirral Mental Health Support Team (MHST) is to work in partnership with schools to prioritise mental health and wellbeing. A Whole School Approach (WSA) means that everyone in the school and community help to take care of each other’s feelings and wellbeing. It is part of everyday school life. Staff, pupils, and parents/ carers all work together to make the school a kind, safe, and supportive place. When everyone works together, it helps children grow stronger, understand their emotions, and feel happier at school.

There are many different things your MHST can offer pupils, staff and families and carers, which can be found in our MHST menus. Descriptions of what we offer and an overview of the sessions can be found below. The first step to planning these in would be discussing them within a consultation with your link practitioner.

Consultations

Consultations are discussions that last no longer than one hour with your link practitioner to:

  • discuss young people you would like to refer to MHST
  • discuss young people who you have concerns about relating to their mental health or wellbeing but are unsure if they are suitable for MHST. MHST can offer advice or support with signposting to other services and agencies
  • discuss WSA activities and planning to be responsive to individual school needs

Please contact your link practitioner to arrange a time for your consultation.

Audit / toolkit

The aim of the WSA audit / toolkit is to collaboratively understand the general wellbeing of your school by identifying areas in which the school is strong and areas in which we could support to develop. This might involve:

  • pupils, staff and parents/ carers completing anonymous surveys
  • facilitating sessions to better understand survey information
  • supporting the development of an action plan
  • planning WSA activity provision in your school
  • targeted work to bridge any identified gaps

Workshops and support

Drop-ins for 15 and 16 year olds (time varies)

This is a space for pupils to meet with members of the MHST to learn more about who we are, what we offer, and how they can access us.

Healthy friendships and relationships (1 hour)

This workshop helps young people recognise different types of relationships, identify features of healthy relationships, and know that healthy behaviours are important features of any relationship.

Transition welcome assembly

We offer a year 7 assembly for young people to learn more about the MHST, what we offer, and how they can access us.

Some of these workshops can take place either online or face to face. 

Drop-ins (time varies)

This is a space for parents to meet with members of the MHST to learn more about who we are, what we offer, and how they can access us.

How to support my child when they feel low in mood (1 hour)

This workshop supports parents in learning what low mood is and how it can be presented, how low impacts on the daily lives of a child and what keeps this going. Strategies are suggested to support your child and enable you to know when and how to seek further help.

Introduction to MHST (1 hour)

A brief introduction to explore what the MHST is, by enabling parents to develop an understand of what the Mental Health Support Team is, gain a greater understanding of what mental health is and to understand the types of referrals that are accepted by sharing the MHST referral process.

Thrive workshop (1 hour)

This workshop has been co-produced with parents to look at ways to build resilience in young people, recognise what to look out for, and give ideas on talking to their child about mental health and who to speak to if they need more help.

Understanding and supporting my child with worries (1 hour)

This workshop will focus on what anxiety is and what keeps anxiety going. There will the opportunity to look at ways to manage worry and anxiety in young people and how parents can support them to manage anxiety.

Anxiety awareness (1 hour)

This workshop is designed to give an insight into the types of behaviours which might be noticed in the classroom that relate to an anxiety presentation and explore what more school can do to support anxious children. The workshop will explore what may keep anxiety going and with gaining a greater understanding of anxiety, look at some brief strategies to manage and reduce anxiety.

How to support pupils when they feel low in mood (1 hour)

A workshop to explore low mood and enable staff to enrich their knowledge base further. We will explore staff understanding of low mood and how low mood can be maintained, guiding school with strategies to support school’s role in supporting children.

Introduction to MHST (1 hour)

A presentation for school staff to gain a greater understanding of the MHST service and what can be offered to students, parents, carers, and school staff. It covers the aims and ambitions of the MHST initiative, who is in the MHST, an overview of groups and one-to-one interventions, as well as a detailed look at the whole school approach offer, developed to meet the school’s identified needs.

Reflective practice (1 hour)

Reflective practice is a learning process and space in which peer groups are supported to come together in a safe, confidential space to share and explore challenges and successes encountered within their job roles. This could provide:

  • structured, purposeful conversations
  • validation of challenges and feelings encountered
  • opportunity for problem-solving conversations
  • time and space for staff to discuss their own professional strengths and areas for development
  • reflections on the emotional impact of their work
  • an underpinning agreement / contract between members which outlines boundaries
  • an ‘external’ facilitator to support establishing and embedding the process

Understanding and approaching self-harm in children and young people (1.5 hours)

This workshop aims to equip school staff with knowledge and skills to recognise, respond to, and support students who are engaging in self-harm behaviours.

Understanding the differences between anxiety and low mood (1 hour)

An opportunity to understand low mood and anxiety, developing systems to support young people, a focus on school systems (what is working well and suggestions for improvement), where staff work together to build an improved whole school understanding and awareness.

Understanding the eight principles of WSA (1 hour)

As set out by The Department for Education, a WSA to mental health and wellbeing incorporates eight key principles, which when applied consistently will contribute and promote improved mental health and wellbeing for the school community. This workshop will offer guidance to help you understand how you can support your school in achieving the learning outcomes aligned to the eight principles.