TASS in action

Developing networks of support to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health of staff

The mental health and emotional wellbeing of staff has been a Fylde Coast Locality Group priority, based on staff reporting more complexity of needs, staff reporting lowered resilience, increased levels of staff absences (frequency and duration), difficulties with recruitment and retention and a feeling of burn out.

As part of the work, a survey was conducted with our primary school colleagues around mental health, adapted from the Anna Freud Wellbeing Measurement for School Staff Survey. Wellbeing measurement for school staff survey | Anna Freud

On analysis of the survey findings, one of the most significant areas for impact was in staff feeling they were managing an increasing range of presenting issues, which could at times feel relentless, on their own. And whilst most stated they were well supported by SLT, they wanted to have the opportunity to talk to a trusted peer in a similar role for support, informed dialogue, sharing of good practice and a solution focussed approach to issues arising. Through consultation with staff at a range of levels, it was apparent that pre-covid there had been some very good networks of support and opportunities for peer reflection/ informal supervision. The staff spoken to felt that those networks were invaluable not least because they felt relieved that other people were experiencing similar situations, that collective recognition, problem solving, shared resource and knowledge left them feeling empowered and with increased resilience in their role.

The first network to develop / reinstate has been the Learning Mentor Clusters across Fylde. In discussion with the Senior Family Support Worker (CFW) about the historic meetings hosted by CFW, learning mentors and pastoral leads across Fylde were contacted, and CFW arranged to host the first meetings.

Staff were consulted on the need and purpose of the meetings, the focus for each agenda, CPD and what would be of most benefit. Channels of communication were also discussed as part of strengthening peer support between meetings and these will continue to be developed.

As part of the initial meetings, details of the Employee Assistance Programme were shared as well as some feedback from individuals who had used some of the resources. Staff were also updated about projects being undertaken in the area, opportunities for CPD as well as linking people with key partner agencies. Staff also made natural links across schools and some joint working on specific cases was agreed between the cohort themselves.

Feedback was unanimously positive with staff saying they felt more supported and had learnt new information that would be beneficial in their role.

Connecting Partners in the District

North Lancashire Citizens Advice & The Trussell Trust employs a School & Family Adviser, who works out of the Morecambe Bay Foodbank.  Their role is to support families referred in by schools who might be struggling financially.

The EPO was contacted to see how they might be able to support the wider inclusion agenda in the district.  The Adviser, Jeni, and her manager were introduced to Roger Shone at Moorside Primary School.  Roger is the chair of the Primary Inclusion Hub in the district.

This connection could allow wider training to be delivered to schools in the district that could generate additional referrals and increase the support to families.

Quote from Jeni:

Earlier this month, Craig introduced me to Roger Shone - headmaster at Moorside Primary School and chair of the Inclusion Hub. Thanks to Craig's personal introduction, Roger and I were able to have a much more frank conversation about funding the CANL Schools' Project than I think we would have if I'd emailed him out of the blue. We have successfully secured funding from the Inclusion Hub, which will allow us to add an important new resource to the Schools' Project, and we hope this will open up other avenues of funding for us in the future. Thanks Craig!

Support for the Senior Mental Health Leads in Schools

The mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people has been part of the TASS work across Central Lancs for the past few years. We have worked with partners to ensure the services available to schools have been accessed and embedded.

Information about the funding from the DfE was circulated and schools, who hadn’t already, were encouraged to apply for a member of staff to undertake appropriate training to become the Senior Mental Health Lead. This role sees the promotion of a whole school approach to mental health with staff training, access to support services and changes to policy.

In order to further support this role, the idea of a network was raised at the Locality Group. The network would provide schools with peer support, access to new resources, guest speakers and support with meeting the requirements of the Senior Mental Health Lead role, such as undertaking audits.

Colleagues from Compass Bloom- the commissioned Mental Health Support Team for Central Lancashire were happy to coordinate and facilitate the network as the experts and already well established with the secondary schools.

We are excited to see how this network benefits the Senior Mental Health Leads in schools as they are further supported to offer the best mental health response for pupils, staff and school.

Develop a partnership approach to increase the number of young people accessing education, employment or training post-16

The Preston TASS working group focused on increasing EET has been looking at various ways to support schools and young people in post 16 options. At the last meeting one discussion focused on activity to keep young people engaged in learning over the summer break. Colleges and partners spoke about their summer programmes of support, transition work and events designed to keep motivation for pupils next steps.

Further to this the group discussed the potential for voluntary sector partners to show interest and encourage young people in their choices. This is something that is already happening across Preston youth forum partners, but there is opportunity here through TASS, for these key messages to be standardised and access to further support highlighted.

Based on the health model of 'Make Every Contact Count' partners will be encouraged to bring discussion about future options, aspirations, and support into everyday interactions, reinforcing the value of education and training post 16.

This was suggested to key members of the Preston Youth Forum who agreed to such a campaign. EET is also a feature of the Preston Youth Forum Strategy consultation, where young people were asked about information advice and guidance around training and employability options. Findings from this consultation will inform the Youth Strategy for Preston and will be valuable feedback for partners and this TASS working group.

Supporting the development of school and partnership support networks in rural West Lancs

The success of bringing together a TASS approach and Family Hubs in West Lancashire has already made significant progress since the start of the academic year. Including:

• The schools cluster along with key community partners have access to a bespoke Trauma Informed training session delivered by the Violence Reduction Network.
• Lancashire Mind are planning to deliver their 'Bounce Forward' programme specifically for the schools and their children in rural West Lancs. This focuses on resilience and transitions.
• Family Hubs have dedicated their efforts in ensuring effective communication with community partners and their venues to host groups and support for families.
• Health services have started to explore delivery of baby clinics and breast-feeding support within existing stay and play sessions at community centres.

The collaborative approach by a range of services has enabled the challenges reported by schools to supported. It is hoped that services who offer support to children and families will be more visible and accessible for rural West Lancs along with more targeted support for schools.

One Headteacher wrote " The difference you've made already to the lives of our children through the work you've directed our way is amazing!"

Feedback from multi-agency safeguarding event at The Hollins School in Accrington 

I would like to say thank you for organising the Safeguarding meeting on Tuesday after school.

I have children at your school and also work at a local primary school.  Even though I feel like I am very well informed about keeping children safe and we have a fantastic head who continually delivers safeguarding training, sadly there is always more to learn.  It is so important that us as parents listen to those in the know.

The agencies involved delivered it brilliantly.