Gifford Primary School
Be Strong, Be Kind, Be Proud
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Mental Health & Wellbeing
Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity with over 25 years experience of working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools. We provide mental health support in schools through one-to-one and group counselling using tried and tested methods backed by research.
| Who is the Place2Be Practitioner at Gifford Primary? |
That’ll be me, Kirah. I’m here at Gifford Primary to meet with children for one-to-one counselling, as well as for the short lunchtime sessions called Place2Talk. I speak and meet with parents and carers too, to hear how, from your perspective, your child is getting on and what that means for you and the family.
| How Place2be works |
There is a Place2Be room in the school where children can go to express and think about their worries, through talking and creative work. Our team supports children by helping them to find ways of coping with difficulties, so they can focus on learning and building friendships.
| How we help children |
Place2Be works with children one-to-one and in small groups, offering regular time-tabled support for those who will benefit most. All pupils can find help with friendship issues, school pressures, and other worries. Short lunchtime sessions are open to individuals and to groups. (We always obtain written consent from parents or carers before working with children in one-to-one, regular counselling).
| What is Place2Talk? |
This is the short lunchtime session and one of the most widely used parts of the service. Children can ask for an appointment to talk about a worry by posting a request in one of the Place2Be 'postboxes' around the school. They can then come alone or with a friend to speak to Kirah. If needs be, they can be referred on for one-to-one counselling.
| How we help parents and carers |
Parents and carers of children in Place2Be schools can access free advice, resources and services as part of our mental health support for the whole school. Click here to find out more.
| When Place2Be can be helpful |
There are times when children feel particularly sad, confused, fearful or angry, because of, for example, family challenges, including separation or illness, or even the death of a much-loved pet.
Some children may become withdrawn; others may become demanding or challenging in their behaviour. That’s when having Place2Be in school is especially helpful.
Contact details for Kirah at Place2Be
Email: Kirah.Harry@Place2Be.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8845 4661