Mental Health & Wellbeing
At Leeds City Academy we are committed to working towards creating a world-class provision to support all our learners with their mental health and wellbeing. We have an extensive DNA curriculum that is rich in support, and we have internal and external professionals who work outside the classroom to help those students who may require additional support.
Please take a look at the information about the Wellbeing Team services below. Please contact any trusted member of staff, e.g. your form tutor or year manager, if you would like to ask about getting support – or contact the Wellbeing workers directly. We have also provided some information on other services that may be helpful.
The Mental Health & Wellbeing Team
Counselling:
Counselling (or therapy) provides a safe and confidential space, once a week, to talk to a trained professional about any issues and concerns – for example, relationships, loss, identity, mental health, abuse, school worries, or your hopes for life.
A counsellor will help a young person to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours so they can develop a better understanding of themselves and of others.
A counsellor will not give advice or prescribe medication. They help a young person to find their own solutions – whether that is making effective changes in their life or finding ways of coping with their problems. Being heard and valued can help you gain control in your life, and help you work out what you want to do.
LCA’s counselling service for students is warm and welcoming – a safe space where your voice is heard and believed, and you decide what to talk about. Not everyone is comfortable talking straightaway, so we might explore different ways to communicate – for example, drawing, or using multiple-choice questionnaires.
Wellbeing Programmes:
Wellbeing programmes look at key areas: self-esteem and confidence, stress and anxiety, anger, and healthy relationships. The courses are a combination of discussion and reflections using an intervention booklet, and pre-prepared course materials. The programmes are generally delivered on a one-to-one basis, but could also be delivered in a group format.
Wellbeing interventions within LCA use a student-centred learning approach. This encourages the student to take an active role rather than following what the worker wants them to do. This allows the student to communicate openly and gives them the opportunity to create a learning style which benefits them.
Academic Mentoring:
Mentoring supports and encourages students to manage their own learning so they can make the most of their time and learning at school.
A student may only need a one-off session, or a more structured approach with several sessions focusing on how they can overcome social or emotional obstacles to learning. An academic mentor is a trustworthy, compassionate professional who helps a student get to know themselves – providing a respectful space where a young person feels safe enough to discuss difficulties and identify SMART goals that mean something to them.
Working with an academic mentor is also about building and learning from a supportive relationship: as this can bolster students’ self-esteem, confidence and empower them to achieve their aspirations.
Drawing & Talking:
Drawing and Talking is a therapeutic approach that allows students to discover and communicate emotions through a non-directive technique, setting it apart from existing solution-focused and cognitive-based therapies and interventions. Through the combination of drawing and talking with a trusted professional, different parts of the mind interact with each other to enable symbolic and safe expression of deep worries.
How to Access Support?
How to access support:
Students can refer themselves for wellbeing support by:
- speaking to a trusted member of staff who can complete a referral for them
- speaking to a member of the Wellbeing Team themselves
Students, and/or their parents/carers, are encouraged to speak with a member of the Wellbeing Team if they just want to find out generally about any of our services.
If a parent or carer has any specific concerns and would be interested in their child accessing wellbeing support in school, they can contact their Year Manager to discuss.
It may be that members of staff from other areas of the school, such as the Safeguarding, Attendance or SEND teams could refer a student for support.
A student will never be forced to engage with wellbeing support. If they decline, they will be advised that they can refer again in the future if they wish and their referral will be closed.
Confidentiality and record-keeping:
All members of staff in the Wellbeing Team keep case notes after each interaction with a student. These are brief factual notes about the content of the discussion.
Detailed information from the student’s support sessions will not be disclosed to any teaching staff. However, guidance may be provided to other staff if it is relevant to supporting the student in their lessons, with permission from the student.
Support from External Agencies
Below are just some of the agencies we know of that can support you and your family. If you’d like any further information or support with signposting, we would be happy to help, just give us a call.