What are Emotional Wellbeing Practitioners?
EWPs are part of a new government initiative that aims to promote good emotional wellbeing and mental health by supporting children and their families through prevention, early intervention and education. EWPs are based in schools.
What support do Emotional Wellbeing Practitioners offer?
There are a number of different ways that we may be able to support your child:
• Support for children experiencing anxiety will be provided through sessions offered to parents as this has been proven to be the most effective way to address anxiety in primary school aged children;
• Support for parents who would like to understand more about their child and enjoy their time with their child more (for children under 8);
• Groups and workshops for parents on topics such as understanding your child’s behaviour, preparing for your child’s move to secondary school and ways of looking after your child’s emotional wellbeing;
• Supporting staff in your child’s school through training and consultation;
• Groups and workshops for children on topics such as ways of looking after your wellbeing, dealing with bullying and preparing for moving to secondary school;
• Supporting the school to develop a ‘whole school approach’ to emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Who is our Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner?
Hello, my name is Clare and I am the Senior Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner for the Canterbury Team. In addition to me, our team consists of 4 Emotional Wellbeing Practitioners, 1 Senior Clinician, and 1 Clinical Lead. The purpose of our team is to support children and young people with their emotional wellbeing. When supporting primary school-aged children, we typically work with parents and carers to support with understanding children’s emotional wellbeing needs as well as strategies to help children and families move forward with any difficulties they may be experiencing. We work with parents and carers in a variety of different ways. Some of this includes delivering one-off workshops (both face-to-face and online), sharing signposting information and raising awareness of further services and resources that you can access, as well as delivering more targeted long-term support through either 1-1 or group sessions. Occasionally, the Emotional Wellbeing Team delivers workshops and assemblies to children in the school too. These workshops typically focus on friendships, understanding worries, and supporting with the transition to secondary school. We can also work with schools to develop more bespoke workshops and activities for children. We work as a team across all our Canterbury and Coastal schools so hopefully you will get to know a few of us as you see us at Herne Bay Junior School!
How does my child access this support? How do I access this support?
Groups and workshops may be provided to your child in school and you will be informed if your child is included. Groups and workshops for parents will be advertised by the school. If you would like to receive support for you child who is experiencing anxiety or you would like support to understand your child’s behaviour more and enjoy your time with your child more (for parents of children under 8), then you will need to complete a brief request for support form.
They are available to access here Request for support form or you can collect paper copies from the office. Please return the Request for Support forms to Mrs. Edwards, via the office or email: ewpreferral@hernebay-jun.kent.sch.uk