At Sefton Park School, we believe that positive mental health is everybody's business. Our vision is to develop a school community where children can enjoy a welcoming, secure, supportive, and caring environment. Everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable, and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support.

How to Get Support for Your Child

If you have concerns about your child's mental health or wellbeing, here's how to get help:

• First point of contact: Speak to your child's class teacher or contact our main office on 0117 377 3290
• For urgent concerns: Contact our Senior Mental Health Lead, Rebecca Earnshaw, via the school office.
• For ongoing support: Speak to Jane Harris, our Pupil Mental Health Champion

Next steps: When you reach out, we'll arrange a confidential conversation to understand your child's needs and work together to create an appropriate support plan.

Our Mental Health Team

We have a dedicated team who are passionate about supporting our children's wellbeing:

Rebecca Earnshaw is our Senior Mental Health Lead. As a member of our Senior Leadership Team, Rebecca focuses on the strategic direction and implementation of a whole-school approach to supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Jane Harris is our Pupil Mental Health Champion, providing hands-on support directly to our children. Jane works with children individually or in small groups, and creates tailored programmes that are carefully designed to meet each child's specific needs.

Resources for Parents & Families

We've carefully selected resources recommended by Bristol's mental health services.

Immediate Support and Information:

• HappyMaps brings together Bristol's mental health support services in one place, making it easier to find help when you need it.
• YoungMinds provides mental health support and guidance designed for parents, with practical advice for supporting your child through challenges.
• NHS Online offers practical advice for specific concerns like anxiety, depression and anger management, plus contact lists for urgent support.

Longer-Term Support:

• The Mental Health Foundation provides evidence-based information and resources for families, schools and young people, presented in an accessible and helpful way.
• Bristol City Council runs courses for parents and carers of children aged 3–17, covering challenging behaviour, divorce and separation, and more. These free courses are part of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme.

These resources are good places to start, and our school team is always here to discuss your child's specific needs. We're committed to helping you connect with the right support at the right time.