ACE

(Accepting Children’s Emotions)

Raising awareness for our children’s wellbeing and mental health

What is ‘ACE’

This a resource to support the children with their mental health and well-being. We can offer a listening ear and strategies to help the children to cope when they need it. We cover topics like:

• Anxiety

• Friendship

• Parents who have separated

• Bereavement

• Behaviour or withdrawal and more

What happens next!

All children using this service are referred by parents/carers or a member of staff, using the referral form. This can be found on the school web site under the heading SEND. After we receive the referral form, an information pack will be sent to parents/carers of the child. This contains the permission slip needed to start your children on the course. Please return ASAP. Once the permission slip has been returned, a date and time will be allocated to your child. This will be on a weekly basis with a designated mentor. Parents will be asked to attend an informal meeting to talk about their children and ‘ACE’ This course will normally run for 6 weeks on a 1:1 basis. After this time, your Hope mentor will assess the child. If they need further support, this shall be arranged and the child will continue with the course. If your child has been assessed and we feel they no longer need this service, then they will resume class lessons and the space allocated to another child.

After the 6-week period and your child no longer needs the 1:1 support but we feel further assist will benefit them, we may allocate them into a small group if needed. These sessions will be weekly as normal. If your child requests that they no longer wish to attend ‘Hope’ then we can offer an open-door policy. This means that they are welcome to return if they support later or if they feel that they would like to talk again on a temporary basis or for as long as they might need. Should we feel your child would benefit from Nurture, then a referral shall be made by the Hope mentor and parents/carers informed. All sessions with the children are confidential. The member of staff and child will sign an agreement to state that any information disclosed will be kept confidential. Should a situation or information arise where there is a safeguarding issue or a child protection issue, then the correct procedure will be adhered too. Please speak to a member of staff if you require further assistance. All policies are published on the school website.