Mental Health & Wellbeing
Merstham Park School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, including their mental health and emotional well-being, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We recognise that children have a fundamental right to be protected from harm and that students cannot learn effectively unless they feel secure. We promote self-confidence and self-worth in an environment that promotes mutual respect, where students know their concerns will be listened to and actioned.
A nominated SSB Member instigates a review of the school’s safeguarding procedures annually, making any recommendations for improvements.
Mr B Holloway is the DSL and Mrs L Strachan, Mr A Ward, Mrs R Cronin, Mrs S Cole, Mr K Briggs and Mrs S Hampson are also DSL trained. These individuals act as a deputy when the DSL is off site. The school policy is to have a trained DSL on-site during the working hours of the school. All staff are regularly trained in safeguarding and child protection procedures.
At Merstham Park school, we have specialist staff who are trained to work with students identified as having emotional well-being or mental health issues. We can support children in a number of ways including:
- School nurse
- Counselling
- Careers
- Thrive
- Learning Space
- Educational Psychologist
- 1-2-1 Space
- Behaviour support
- CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)
We are delighted to have been awarded the Bronze School Mental Health Award 2023 - 2026. This is an award from the Department for Education and it recognises the direct link between positive mental health in schools and successful educational outcomes; the Mental Health Award for Schools builds on this link and provides a framework for educational institutions to evidence policies and initiatives that work towards improving emotional health and well-being for both staff and students.
