Emotional Health and Wellbeing

'The true measure of a nation's standing is how well it attends to its children - their health and safety, their material security, their education and socialisation, and their sense of being loved, valued and included in the families and societies into which they are born'  (UNICEF, Innocenti Report Card 7)

A focus on Emotional Health and Wellbeing is critical to the social development and educational achievement of children and young people.  To reflect this, schools have had a duty to promote health and wellbeing since 2007.

What are the characteristics of a child- friendly school?

• reflects and realises the rights of every child;
• sees and understands the whole child in a broad context;
• is child-centred;
• is gender sensitive;
• promotes quality learning outcomes;
• provides education based on the reality of children's lives;
• is flexible and responds to diversity;
• acts to ensure inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity for all children;
• promotes mental and physical health;
• enhances teacher capacity, morale, commitment and status;
• is family focused;
• is community based.

The SEAL (Social Emotional Aspects of Learning) curriculum is a comprehensive approach to promoting the social and emotional skills that underpin effective learning, positive behaviour and EHWB in primary and secondary schools. Our local Primary scheme of work Learn 4 Life integrates SEAL with PSHE.

Training for school staff is available to address the emotional health and wellbeing of children; further multiagency training is also listed on Pathways, including Youth Mental Health First Aid.