Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing (centre) with, left to right, Emma Thornberry, Principal Educational Psychologist Amanda Evans, PSHE advisory Coordinator, Elaine Perry, Senior Educational Psychologist, Louise Sharrod, Principal Public Health Specialist, Omowonuola Alunko, Health Improvement Officer, and Sunita Pallan-Jhalli, Specialist Public Health Officer, at the launch of the new toolkit
Two new initiatives have been launched by the City of Wolverhampton Council to help support the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people.
A new Emotional Health and Wellbeing Toolkit will provide valuable resources for teachers and education professionals working with young people across the city.
Meanwhile, the ATTUNE project has brought 3 programmes, the Trauma informed Attachment Aware Schools project, the Sandwell Wellbeing Charter Mark and the Anti Bullying Charter, to support schools in further embedding emotional health and wellbeing.
Exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, emotional and mental health issues among children and young people have been on the rise, both in Wolverhampton and across the country, placing increased strain on children and young people, and their families.
Vulnerable groups, or those experiencing inequalities, are often at a higher risk of poor mental health and wellbeing.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “Emotional wellbeing challenges are a normal part of growing up and, with the right support and coping strategies, many issues tend to resolve over time.
“However, not all children and young people have access to the resources they need to cope – and that is where the new Emotional Health and Wellbeing Toolkit comes in. It will play a vital part in ensuring that every child and young person in Wolverhampton receives the emotional support they need, helping them to build resilience, overcome challenges, and thrive in all aspects of life.”
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, added: “Teachers and education professionals are in a unique position to support children’s emotional wellbeing.
“By actively listening, offering non-stigmatising guidance, and being positive role models, education staff can make a significant difference in the lives of young people. They also play a crucial role in identifying when a child may need additional support and knowing when to refer for specialist help.
“By fostering a supportive and understanding environment, through programmes like the ATTUNE project, we can help ensure that no child has to face emotional health struggles alone.”
ATTUNE schools and settings are ones that are attachment aware, trauma informed, focused on building trusting relationships, seek to understand the individual needs of their learners and wider community, take a nurturing approach and recognise the importance of a whole school approach to promoting emotional wellbeing.
Schools which are part of the project will receive support over a 2 year period including guidance, evaluation of current practices, data collection, whole school trauma, attachment and emotion coaching training, and help to create a tailored development plan.