Mental Health and Wellbeing

At Willesley, we prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We recognise that children of any age can experience wellbeing or mental health issues at any time and make it our aim to offer support as early as possible.  

We have a pyramid of support for all members of the school, which begins with our positive whole school culture and ethos. Our 12 core values are embedded in everything that we do, including our restorative approach to behaviour. 

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant 

What is an ELSA? 

We have a qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) and a dedicated wellbeing room to support our pupils. Our school-based ELSA is available to provide short-term focused support for pupils with emotional and social needs. The ELSA works with individual pupils or small groups, using activities and strategies to help build resilience, emotional literacy and coping mechanisms. Pupils can be referred for support by staff, parents, outside agencies and pupils themselves 

Signposting to other agencies 

Please click here for a link to a directory of support for staff and pupils. Other agencies which offer support include: 

Early Help and Family Help

School or families can make referrals to the Family Help Service Early Help and Family Help teams (previosulsy known as Children and Family Wellbeing Service)  They are there to give families support, guidance and in some cases, training and the tools to help.

The School Nurse Service

School nurses work to improve health inequalities and address public health concerns to support children, young people, and their families to make an informed choice to improve their health and wellbeing.

Healthy Together is a universal service from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust for children and their families from 0-11 in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Public Health (School) Nurses from Healthy Together are available to help you and your child in many different ways. You can find help and support with:

• Behaviour
• Continence
• Physical health
• Emotional health
• Parenting
• Healthy lifestyles
• Diet and nutrition
• Plus much more

Your Public Health (School) Nursing team can be contacted via your child’s school, or alternatively you can find the contact details by selecting your child’s school from the drop down list on our Health for Kids: Grownups website.

Other useful links: 

CAPVA’ Child or Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse

Every Mind Matters

Healthy Minds 

Health for Kids Leicestershire 

Support for families affected by imprisonment

Post Sexual Abuse Service - Leicestershire