Therapies and Wellbeing

We have a number of therapists that come into school to work with the teachers and TAs to integrate therapy targets into the students learning pathways. This team includes Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy including sensory OT and Speech Therapy. The community nursing team comes into school support the medical needs of our students and training for staff.

Supporting our students’ wellbeing is an important priority at Exeter House school. Our Co-Head Tina Maskell is the school’s trained Senior Mental Health Lead. School staff have been trained in the Trauma Informed Approach and this approach is embedded throughout the school day and across the curriculum. We work with MHST (the NHS Mental health Support team) and with CAHMs. Our therapeutic offer currently also includes Music therapy, Art therapy, ELSA, Rebound therapy and Riding for the disabled. Students can be referred to these with parental permission. Our family support work will work with families to support their child’s mental wellbeing. We are working on expanding our therapeutic offer as appropriate for individual needs, further details of some of these interventions can be found below:

ELSA

ELSA is a national programme of staff training to support children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. It was first developed in Hampshire by Sheila Burton and is well researched and evidence-based. ELSA is a national network, of which Wiltshire Educational Psychology Service is a member.

The ELSA programme was developed to build the capacity of schools to support the emotional needs of their pupils from within their own resources. It is based on the view that all children are different and they should be nurtured according to their needs. For more information on research into the effectiveness of ELSA please see: www.elsanetwork.org

Art Therapy

Art Therapy is a creative way to explore feelings through making , drawing, Painting and play. It is an alternative form of expression to language, a way to express and explore where words cannot be found for feelings and experiences. It can enable the student to make sense of feelings that might have overwhelmed them previously. 

Art Therapy can work with the need for sensory experiences , can find a way to contain feelings of anxiety and frustration and allow growth and help with developing communication.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is a psychological means of using music as a tool for interaction between the therapist and pupils. This can involve the use of songs but often uses musical improvisation (made up music). A large variety of instruments, singing and vocalising are used as a means of communication in a unique manner and can reach people of all abilities and needs.

The therapist responds to the way the pupils involve themselves in music therapy and therefore sessions are often pupil-led, yet with some structure created by the therapist. Music therapy is not about teaching someone to play an instrument, or about pupils having a great level of musicality; it is about how the music is used to engage, interact and communicate that is the focus.

Music therapy can be used to:

· Increase interaction and communication with others

· Improve turn-taking and listening skills

· Increase self-esteem and confidence

· Help develop a clearer sense of identity

· Help find a new means of expressing and regulating emotions

· Enhance spontaneity and openness to new ideas

· Encourage movement and improve dexterity

Rebound Therapy

Rebound therapy is a form of exercise and therapy that uses a trampoline to improve physical and mental health. It can support our students in many different ways. Rebound therapy is fun and relaxing, as it involves bouncing, changing direction and engaging with the environment. Students access rebound therapy at various points during their time at school

CAHMs - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

CAMHS help children and young people up to 18 who are finding it hard to cope with everyday life because of difficult feelings, behaviour or relationships. Most of the time when we are sad, angry, stressed or worried these feelings pass within a few days, but if they go on for a while and stop us enjoying and coping with life, then CAMHS can help. Students can be referred to CAHMs, with parental permission. They will work with the student and the family. They also hold clinics in school where teachers can seek advice

MHST

Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) are specially trained to provide Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LI- CBT) interventions, usually consisting of 6-8 sessions that are designed to support young people aged 5-18 years with mild to moderate emotional and wellbeing difficulties who have been referred to us through their school. The delivery of interventions from an EMHP will involve adults around the child where appropriate. Direct work will involve collaboration with parents, carers, and school staff.