Eaves Partnership with St Helen's Mental Health Support Team
Supporting Happy, Healthy Minds
Who Are the Mental Health Support Team?
The St Helen's Mental Health Support Team (MHST) works with primary and secondary schools across St Helens to promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.
The team helps schools recognise emotional wellbeing difficulties early and provides support for children experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
They work alongside school staff and families to help children develop confidence, emotional resilience and positive coping strategies.
Meet Georgia – Our Dedicated Mental Health Practitioner
We are delighted to welcome Georgia, our dedicated Mental Health Practitioner, who will be working closely with Eaves Primary School.
Georgia will visit our school one day every week, providing regular mental health and wellbeing support for children who have been identified as needing additional help.
She will offer both individual interventions and small-group support, helping children develop strategies to manage their emotions, build confidence and cope with challenges.
Children receiving individual interventions will attend sessions in school, usually once a week.
Georgia will also provide feedback to school staff and families so that we can work together to support children's wellbeing at home and in school.
Meet Georgia – Our Dedicated Mental Health Practitioner
We are delighted to welcome Georgia, our dedicated Mental Health Practitioner, who will be working closely with Eaves Primary School.
Georgia will visit our school one day every week, providing regular mental health and wellbeing support for children who have been identified as needing additional help.
She will offer both individual interventions and small-group support, helping children develop strategies to manage their emotions, build confidence and cope with challenges.
Children receiving individual interventions will attend sessions in school, usually once a week.
Georgia will also provide feedback to school staff and families so that we can work together to support children's wellbeing at home and in school.
How Can Georgia Support My Child?
Georgia can support children who may be experiencing:
Worries and anxiety: Understanding worries and developing strategies to manage anxious feelings.
Low mood: Supporting children who may be feeling sad, withdrawn or struggling with their emotional wellbeing.
Big feelings: Helping children recognise, understand and manage difficult emotions.
Confidence and resilience: Building self-esteem and developing positive coping strategies.
Emotional and behavioural difficulties: Helping children understand the feelings behind their behaviour and develop helpful ways to respond.
Support will be tailored to children's individual needs.
Small-Group Support – Helping Children Manage Big Changes
We recognise that changes and transitions can sometimes feel overwhelming for children.
As part of our partnership with the MHST, Georgia will also be able to work with small groups of children who may benefit from additional emotional support during important changes in their lives.
One particular focus will be supporting children as they prepare for the move from primary school to secondary school.
For some children, the transition to high school can bring worries about new routines, making friends, managing a larger environment or becoming more independent.
Through small-group sessions, Georgia can help children:
Talk about their feelings and worries surrounding change.
Develop confidence about moving to secondary school.
Learn practical strategies for managing anxiety and uncertainty.
Build resilience and problem-solving skills.
Develop positive ways of coping with new experiences.
Recognise their strengths and feel more prepared for the next stage of their education.
These sessions will provide a supportive environment where children can share their experiences, develop helpful strategies and recognise that they are not alone in their worries.
Our aim is to help children approach important changes feeling more confident, prepared and supported.
How Will My Child Access MHST Support?
At Eaves, we believe that families should be fully informed and involved in decisions about their child's emotional wellbeing.
Step 1 – Identifying children who may benefit
School staff will identify children who may benefit from additional mental health and wellbeing support, including individual interventions or small-group sessions.
Step 2 – Contacting families
If we feel that MHST support may be appropriate for your child, a member of our school team will contact you to discuss the support being offered.
Step 3 – Parental consent
Before your child begins an MHST intervention, we will seek your consent. Families will have the opportunity to ask questions and understand what the sessions will involve.
Step 4 – Support begins in school
Once consent has been obtained and support has been arranged, children will begin their individual or small-group sessions with Georgia.
Individual interventions will usually take place once a week, during Georgia's weekly visit to school.
Step 5 – Feedback and working together
Georgia will provide appropriate feedback to school and families about the support being provided and children's progress.
This will help us work together to reinforce positive strategies and support children's wellbeing beyond the intervention sessions.
Supporting Parents and Families
The MHST will also offer parent workshops, providing practical advice and guidance on supporting children's mental health at home.
Workshop topics may include understanding anxiety, helping children manage big emotions, building resilience and supporting children through periods of change.
Information about upcoming workshops will be shared through our usual school communication channels.
Supporting Our Staff
The MHST will provide training, advice and guidance to staff at Eaves Primary School.
This will help us strengthen our understanding of children's mental health, recognise when additional support may be needed and develop effective approaches to promoting emotional wellbeing.
Promoting Positive Mental Health Across Eaves
Our partnership with the MHST is about more than individual interventions.
We want every child at Eaves to feel that their emotions matter, their voice is heard and support is available when they need it.
The MHST will work alongside our existing pastoral and SEND provision to strengthen our whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
What If My Child Needs More Specialist Support?
The MHST provides support for mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
If a child requires more specialist support, the team can offer advice and help identify appropriate local services, including supporting onward referrals where needed.
Who Can I Speak To?
If you have any concerns about your child's mental health or emotional wellbeing, please contact school and ask to speak to your child's class teacher or our Pastoral Manager, Mrs Lloyd.
Although school staff will identify children who may benefit from MHST support, we always welcome parents and carers sharing any worries they may have about their child.
For further information about the service, please visit: