PLACE2BE
Place2Be is a national charity working in and with schools to support and promote the positive mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
“Oh she has definitely changed…in the way she feels about her school life, her home life, and just the way she is in herself – she is a lot happier” – Parent
"Place2Be helps you feel less angry, make friends, get more confident, sort out your problems, make you feel special, make everything better." – Year 5 pupil
Place2Be support services are strictly delivered with consent from parents
Please contact Laura Gutteridge, Place2Be School Project Manager (SPM) on 0208 552 1081 if you want to learn more about the service or have any concerns about your child’s emotional and mental wellbeing.
Why is Place2Be useful?
Sometimes children can struggle with their emotions. They can feel particularly sad, confused, scared or angry.
Maybe something difficult happened at home, like losing a family member or parents separating. Or perhaps they’re struggling with something at school, like bullying.
This can make them behave differently, lose confidence in themselves or find it difficult to concentrate in class.
Place2Be is there to help children find ways to cope, so their worries don’t get in the way of their friendships, their learning or how they feel about themselves.
What does Place2Be do?
- Gives regular support to pupils who need it, one-to-one or in small groups.
- Offers lunchtime drop-ins where pupils are supported to solve problems they are experiencing
- Offers support to parents who may be struggling to help their child with emotional or behavioural difficulties.
- Offers advice and guidance to teachers so they can effectively support struggling pupils
- Offers psychoeducation to the entire school community
Place2Talk
Place2Talk is a lunchtime drop in service where children in Years 1 - 6 can choose to have 15minutes with the SPM in the Place2Be room. Here we offer the children another space in school where they can seek support with difficult emotions such as worry or anger or any issue they are struggling with. All emotions are welcome in the room and children who attend will reflect upon the full range of emotions, not just the difficult ones!
Children can come alone or bring up to two of their friends. During their appointment children are supported to talk about their emotions or issues and the SPM will support them to identify solutions. All children who attend are always encouraged to share their feelings or issues with other trusted adults at home and in school.
We noticed that Place2Talk was being used more by our girls than our boys. Given the alarming figures that exist around male mental health (see here for more information) we decided to do something about it! It is just as important for our boys to feel comfortable seeking support when they are struggling as it is for our girls. Here some of our staff members share their thoughts with our pupils about the importance of talking about their feelings as men.
If you would like to learn more about our Place2Talk service please contact your SPM, Laura Gutteridge on 0208 552 1081.
Support for Parents
Being a parent while rewarding can be a difficult job especially when your child is struggling. Being a parent while rewarding can be a difficult job especially when your child is struggling. Place2Be offers support to parents aimed at building upon the strengths you already have to aid you in your important role. Place2Be offers support to parents aimed at building upon the strengths you already have to aid you in your important role.
Parent Partnerships
It may be that your child has begun to exhibit signs they are struggling emotionally. Perhaps they are worrying excessively, struggling to manage their anger or repeatedly pushing the boundaries you have set. You have tried everything you can to help your child but it doesn’t seem to work. This is not a reflection of your parenting, we all need a little extra help sometimes. Having someone supporting you who is outside of the situation can be beneficial.
Parent Practitioner
- Parent Support section - Parent Partnership, Parent Practitioner work (PIPT), Parenting Smart, online parenting course - Click here to learn more
Further Support / Resources
Covid 19 Support Documents
- Preparing Your Child to Return to School
- Support Services and Resources for Families in Newham
- Supporting children with ADHD
- Supporting children with Autism
- Talking to Your Child About Bereavement
- Supporting children with Anxiety
Bereavement Support Services
There are many different charities offering support to children and families around bereavement, these listed here offer more appropriate information that is geared around schools as well as children and families.
They offer a range of resources and support options for children and their families.
They offer a range of resources and support for children, parents and schools. This website had a large library of downloadable documents and resources that can be printed and used with families to support them through their bereavement.
This organisation provides support for children who have suffered from the death of a parent.
Any questions?
You are welcome to talk to your Place2Be School Project Manager; either face-to-face or via telephone or email. At Upton Cross, our School Project Manager is Janine Robertin who works on Mondays - Thursdays. You can contact them via email on laura.gutteridge@uptoncross.lihtrust.uk