Wellbeing
There are lots of things we can all do to look after our mental health and wellbeing to safeguard our children and young people. We have gathered some information, website links and resources that we hope you will find helpful and supportive. Further down the page, you will also find signposts to a number of other support services as well as contact details for getting in touch with school.
Longlands Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent, effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, children and staff at school. To ensure prompt communication between staff, we use CPOMS, an online system that allow us to monitor safeguarding, well-being and pastoral issue; this enables swift communication between all parties in a secure way.
We follow the procedures set out by the Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership and take account of all guidance issued by the Department for Education.
School Safeguarding Team
If you want to know more about our procedures, please speak to one of the following:
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Mrs Lisa Millington – Headteacher
Deputy DSLs:
Mrs Sarah Bevan – Assistant Headteacher
Mrs Marie Highfield – Family and Child Liaison Worker
Mrs Natasha Lloyd – SENDCo
Mrs Hillary Williams – Nursery Manager/SENDCo
Safeguarding Governor: Mrs Linda Scott
Chairs of Governors: Mr Kevin Lee
Online Safety Lead: Mrs Emma Price
Cause for Concern
Our first priority is your child’s welfare and school is required to take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of its pupils. There may be occasions when we have reason to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill-treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse. We will ensure that our concerns about a child are discussed with his/her parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
If you are worried about a child’s safety, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Millington or Shropshire First Point of Contact: 0345 6789021.
Our Early Help Offer
Longlands Primary School works to provide Early Help to those children and families in the school community with emerging needs, which may not be appropriate for Social Services intervention. Early help means providing support to our children and families as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life.
We understand just how complicated family life can be. From time to time, there may be situations where you need some extra help and support.
If things are not right at home, please come and talk to us. We can help in many ways and signpost you to ways in which we can support you further.
Find out more about Early Help in Shropshire here.
Local links
- Domestic abuse information on Shropshire Council website
- Shropshire Family Information Service
- Shropshire Early Help
National links
- NSPCC Helplines – 24/7 help, advice and support
- Childline – this website has information and support on a whole range of issues, alongside their support line
- NSPCC – advice to parents regarding suitability checks on private tutors
- SupportLine– SupportLine provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue
- Spot The Signs – advice for parents, professionals and young people on the signs of sexual exploitation and how to keep safe
- The Hideout – Women’s Aid have created this space to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action
- Missing People – Free, confidential 24/7 helpline
- VOICE – advocacy service for children and young people
- FRANK – friendly, confidential drugs advice
- Missing Kids UK – help and advice
- Missing People – free, confidential 24/7 helpline
Information and guidance on bullying
- Kidscape – provides helpful advice and information to prevent and tackle bullying
- Bully-free Zone – one of the leading peer support projects in Britain. The project aims to raise awareness of alternative ways of resolving conflicts and reducing bullying
- Bullying UK– provides help and reliable information on a variety of bullying issues
Wellbeing resources:
CAMHS Resources a collection of downloadable self-help guides relating to wellbeing. Some are aimed at adults but the ideas and suggestions in them can still be relevant for young people and parents. CAMHS
Mind as well as offering support, the Mind website outlines some practical steps you can implement to support your wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic. Mind: Coronavirus and your wellbeing
NHS Every Mind Matters outlines practical steps you can take to look after your mental wellbeing. Mental wellbeing tips. Their website also has some advice and resources such as videos and quizzes on several topics including: Coronavirus, money worries, dealing with change, feeling lonely and going back to school amongst others.
Mental Health UK has a number of downloadable resources which includes conversation guides, plans and booklets. Mental Health UK.
The World Health Organization provides resources to help you keep mentally healthy. WHO.
Additional support services:
Autism West Midlands offers a specialist service, providing support for adults and children with autism. Their helpline welcomes calls from parents, autistic adults, carers and professionals who live in the West Midlands to discuss concerns they have about autism (before and after diagnosis). Callers will find experienced, understanding staff who offer a listening ear and who can provide information about autism and local support services. Autism West Midlands.
Parents Protect is an organisation that has developed an online child sexual abuse and exploitation awareness learning programme for parents/carers to help: Understand potential risks; recognise the signs of possible abuse; be aware of inappropriate behaviour in adults and to know where to go for help if you have concerns and would like to talk about them. Sexual abuse learning programme.
Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership children’s website designed to provide useful information and advice for professionals, parents and children. They coordinate and monitor how the services and professional staff work together to protect children from abuse or neglect. Safeguarding Shropshire.
County Lines are operating in Shropshire, someone being exploited by a County Lines gang may show some of the signs listed here. If you believe someone may be vulnerable to County Lines activity, please contact West Mercia Police using the report it section here. In an emergency, use 999.
Shropshire Council Bereavement Counselling offer free counselling if you live in Shropshire and are struggling with the loss of a friend or loved one. Further information – here.
Financial Support – Shropshire Council’s Community Reassurance Team is there to help all residents across the county during the pandemic – please click here to find out more. 
Shropshire Larder this resource is the most comprehensive directory of services for people living in Shropshire on a low budget. It has information on how to access a foodbank or community food project and how to eat well on a budget. It also covers how to get support with benefits, housing and debt. Shropshire Larder | Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance
Find a local Foodbank – Food banks are grassroots, community organisations aimed at supporting people who cannot afford the essentials in life. Visit The Trussell Trust to find your nearest foodbank.
If you find yourself in financial crisis and need help with meals please contact Helen at the Market Drayton Foodbank | Telephone: 01630 654007 | Email: referrals@marketdrayton.foodbank.org.uk. You do not need to be eligible for Free School Meals to qualify for this help.
Carers Trust advice for young carers. A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after someone in their family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition or misuses drugs or alcohol. Carers Trust helps young carers to cope with their caring role through specialised services delivered by Carers Trust Network Partners across the UK. Young Carer Support Services.
Independent Food Aid Network Advice and support is available if you are struggling to make ends meet. Visit the Worrying About Money online service here.
Shropshire Council Cost of Living Help Website containing information and advice about organisations that provide support to those seeking help. It also includes links for specific money worries, such as: Cost of transport; debt and borrowing; rent or mortgage help; help with energy bills; help with water rates; financial help for people with disabilities; help with pensions. Visit Shropshire Cost of Living here.
Shropshire Council Free School Meals Important advice about who may benefit from free school meals and how to apply. Free School Meals information available here.
Shropshire Family Information Service Free information, advice and support on all aspects of family life. Take a look at the Shropshire Family Information Service for 0-19 years here.
Longlands Primary School Wellbeing Contact:
If you have any concerns relating to wellbeing, please contact our School Administrator – admin@lon.mmat.co.uk who will be able to advise further.
Wellbeing
