In every UK classroom, an estimated three children suffer from a diagnosable mental health problem. Proactive Pastoral Care is a vital guide to enable secondary teachers to empower their students to make healthy life choices and look after their wellbeing, both in school and beyond. With practical, research-based activities and resources for tutor time, assemblies, Relationships and Sex Education and PSHE lessons, this book puts student wellbeing at the heart of the agenda. It also includes a foreword by Dr Pooky Knightsmith, an internationally renowned mental health educator, speaker and author. Pastoral care expert Maria O'Neill explores several aspects of student wellbeing, from community building and parental engagement to e-safety and caring for mental health. Maria introduces refreshing, proactive techniques that can be put into practice straightaway to create a supportive learning environment. Backed up by academic research, Maria's easy-to-follow techniques mean any teacher, form tutor or head of year can feel confident in their approach and offer students the pastoral support they need.

What does supervision mean in a school setting? How can supervision benefit staff and student wellbeing? How can I best run supervision sessions? Supervision is an effective way to support staff in navigating the complex experiences of simultaneously teaching and safeguarding children, but much of the existing literature on supervision can't easily be applied to school settings. Bringing together theory and practice, this practical how-to guide includes chapters on why supervision is so important for staff and student wellbeing, what qualities make for an ideal supervisor, how to adapt supervision for in-person and online settings, as well as criteria for an optimum supervision environment and suggested material to include in supervision sessions.

Celeste thinks she is the happiest dog in the world. But when she notices something different about her human, Rupert, she wonders if things will ever be the same again. Charmingly illustrated, this heart-warming story for children aged 3+ reflects some of the feelings and experiences that a child whose parent or carer has depression may face. When it comes to periods of low mood in a parent or carer, children can often feel that they are to blame, or even that the parent doesn't love them anymore. The story provides reassurance by explaining what depression is and how it is possible to find help. With a comprehensive guide for parents and professionals written by Dr Pooky Knightsmith that provides advice on discussing the topic with children, this is a truly valuable resource that will be of interest to social workers, child and school counsellors, psychologists, parents and foster parents.

Self-harm and eating disorders are present in almost every school and they frequently co-occur. This book provides the vital guidance that school staff need to spot early warning signs, understand triggers and support the students in their care effectively. This very practical guide helps educational professionals to gain a better understanding of self-harm and eating disorders by dispelling the myths and misconceptions that surround these behaviours. The book provides advice on whole-school policies and procedures as well as day-to-day strategies to implement in lessons, at mealtimes and in one-on-one sessions. It explains how to respond to disclosures, make referrals and work alongside parents to assist in the road to recovery.

An internationally respected campaigner, Pooky Knightsmith has worked tirelessly to promote good child and adolescent mental health. Her knowledge, ideas and advice come not just from years of research and study, but from hard earned experience with PTSD, anorexia, self-harm and depression. Part mental health guide, part memoir, this book contains 48 life lessons learned from everyday victories to life-changing events. Pooky shares tips on how to avoid burnout, how small acts of self-care can make a big difference, steps you can take to live with anxiety, and how to nurture key friendships and relationships, amongst many other things. Each lesson ends with space for the reader to reflect, and includes exercises to help take the first steps to incorporating these lessons into their own lives. Unflinching and utterly authentic, Pooky shares the things she got wrong so that you don't have to.

Packed full of creative activities and coping strategies, this journal and colouring book is the perfect companion when faced with difficult thoughts and feelings. Whether you are stressed out at home or school, feeling anxious or simply in need of some relaxation, this workbook provides a place for you to express your emotions. Put your own personal stamp on colouring, journaling and drawing activities and explore healthy ways of coping with difficult feelings such as anger and anxiety through inspirational quotes, poems and practical advice. With a range of activities that introduce mindfulness and encourage relaxation, this workbook will help young people aged 8-14 to develop the tools needed to prepare for and respond to future difficult situations. It is also an invaluable resource for parents and carers, teachers, counsellors and psychologists to use with young people in their care.

This book is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to promote and encourage mental health in their school, or evaluate their existing provision, in line with current government priorities. It covers not only the day-to-day practical steps you can take to meet the mental health needs of learners, but also a provides a whole bank of ideas for ensuring you adopt a whole-school approach to positive mental health. Pooky Knightsmith lays out tried and tested tools you can use to evaluate the overall mental health of a school, showing how to improve and support the mental health of staff, and how to ensure that the voice of every learner is heard and valued, including the most vulnerable - and that everyone involved with the school feels safe, healthy and happy. Pooky's simple 'litmus test' framework lays out six practical areas you can explore to implement change within your own school, with explanations, sheets to fill in, tips from loads of school staff, and case examples that break these ideas down into easily digestible chunks. This much-needed book is a jumping off point for meaningful change in all aspects of your school community that will promote, support and strengthen mental health at whole-school level.

Meet Asher - a teenager who self-harms to manage their feelings when it all feels like too much. The latest in the best-selling Can I Tell You About... series describes what self-harm is, along with the wide range of behaviours that qualify, why teens do it, and how to get help if you feel the need to self-harm. Reflecting on the different aspects of self-harming behaviour, including treatment of injuries and scars, this concise introduction dispels common myths and offers helpful resources to break the cycle of self-harm. By initiating the conversation around self-harm, this guide will offer alternative avenues for children and young adults to pursue when dealing with big feelings, such as professional counselling, distraction, and friends and family. This easy-to-read guide is suitable for readers 7+, along with their parents, teachers, and friends. All author royalties from the book will go towards the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust.

This is an accessible guide for schools explaining how to implement effective techniques to improve staff mental health. Drawing on case studies from years of experience supporting staff mental health, Amy Sayer introduces inexpensive, practical and realistic strategies that schools can implement to ensure the mental wellbeing of teaching staff. This book provides steps to ensure that self-care and family time do not slip under the radar in the face of increasing pressure and limited resources. From providing adequate staff room facilities to ensuring that teachers can set clear boundaries around weekends and break times, these ideas create and foster a culture of openness around mental health and help teachers to re-discover their love of teaching.

Poetry can prove a great way into difficult conversations in therapeutic, classroom or family settings. This book is a clear and practical guide to the use of poetry as a therapeutic tool to help explore issues surrounding mental health and emotional wellbeing. The first part of the book provides guidance on different methods of using poetry to open up discussion. The second part consists of a collection of over 100 poems written by the author, on topics such as bullying, anxiety, bereavement, depression and eating disorders, with a range of therapeutic activities that can be used alongside each poem. The third part focuses on ways to support and encourage clients to write their own poetry and includes 50 poem writing prompts and examples. A complete resource for anyone considering using poetry to explore difficult issues, and a creative way of exploring important mental health issues in PSHE lessons, this book will be of interest to youth, school and adult counsellors, therapists, psychologists, pastoral care teams, PSHE co-ordinators and life coaches, as well as parents.