# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Kids Can Deal With Bereavement | Cosmic Kids Zen Den

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Talking to children about separation and divorce

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
"kids yoga" "yoga for kids" "yoga for children yoga story for kids" "children's yoga" "yoga adventure for kids" "kindergarten yoga" "preschool yoga" "kids me...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
YOGA | MINDFULNESS | RELAXATION FOR KIDS! Screentime that gives kids SUPERPOWERS! ⬇️ D O W N L O A D T H E C O S M I C K I D S A P P ⬇️ 🍏Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cosmic-kids/ 🛍️Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cosmickids 🖥️ Desktop (great for teachers!): https://app.cosmickids.com/ 📺 Roku: https://rb.gy/44r8d -------------------------------------------------------------------- Why watch on the App?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How can I help support a grieving child?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover ways to talk to children when they’re dealing with the bereavement of a loved one.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Belly Breathing: Mindfulness for Children

# data[].attributes.headline
Starting a conversation with your child...

# data[].attributes.subject
Starting a conversation with your child...

# data[].attributes.headline
Help your child to recognise and name their feelings. "You've got to name it to tame it!!"

# data[].attributes.subject
Help your child to recognise and name their feelings. "You've got to name it to tame it!!"

# data[].attributes.headline
A wealth of advice to improve children's mental health

# data[].attributes.subject
A wealth of advice to improve children's mental health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Place2Be is a children and young people's mental health charity with almost 30 years' experience working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools.

We provide mental health support in schools through one-to-one and group counselling using tried and tested methods backed by research. In addition, we also offer expert training and professional qualifications.

Why it's important

1 in 5

children and young people have a probable mental health condition, and many continue to have these problems into adulthood.

50%

of those with lifetime mental health problems first experience symptoms by the age of 14.

1 in 10
boys aged 5-19 with a mental health condition are suspended in some form from school.

Find out more about our work

How we help

Mental health support in schools

Our in-school mental health service supports the wellbeing of pupils, families and staff.
Find out more

Our mental health services in schools

We provide mental health services in schools that contribute to a whole-school approach to mental health.
Find out more

Counselling training and placements

Gain experience and skills with our child counselling training and placements.
Find out more

Place2Be is part of our school family. It is more than an office, more than a therapy room and more than a collection of counsellors.

Glyn Ellis - Headteacher, Haslingden Primary School

My daughter had become a different person - one we didn't recognise - but since counselling we see signs of our old loving daughter coming back.

Parent

If you have problems or worries you get a chance to talk to a person you trust. When I grow up I want to help children like Place2Be helps children.

Eight-year-old girl

Your support makes it possible

Thousands of vulnerable children and families depend on our work every single day. We simply cannot reach them without your help. There are so many ways to lend your support.

Place2Be's counselling service in primary schools has the potential to return £8 to society by improving long-term outcomes for each child.

Make a donation

How you can help

Fundraise for us

Raise money to transform children and young people's mental health. Browse ideas, tips and advice.

Get fundraising inspiration

Take part in an event

Run, cycle, walk. Trek to great heights or tackle some muddy obstacles. Take a look at our fundraising events.

Take on an event

Partner with us

See how your organisation can help us to support more children, families and school staff across the UK.

Find out more

Our impact

In the last school year

6,901

pupils were supported through one-to-one counselling.

33,327

pupils booked their own appointments o speak to our mental health professional.

After one-to-one counselling with Place2Be

76%

of children with severe difficulties show an improvement in mental health, according to parents.

64%

of pupils whose difficulties impacted their learning in class improved, according to teachers.

75%

of children and young people found it easier to make and keep friends, according to parents and carers.

Place2Be: mental health support in schools

Hear from children and teachers about the impact of Place2Be.

News & blogs

Eating Disorders in Children and Young People: a major public health concern

Clara Faria and Professor Tamsin Ford reflect on the impact of eating disorders on children and young people's mental health.

Read more

New report from NHS England shows increase in children experiencing mental health difficulties

Published today, the report reveals that 1 in 5 children and young people now have a probable mental health condition.

Read more

The BAFTA Roadshow with Place2Be arrives in North-West London

BAFTA and Place2Be team up to bring the BAFTA Roadshow to North-West London.

Read more

Sign up to our newsletter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Improving children's and young people's mental health - Place2Be

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Place2Be provides mental health counselling support and training to schools to improve the emotional wellbeing of children, young people, families, teachers and staff.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
An introduction to a sensory, soothing, regulating, calming, grounding box by Dr Karen Treisman

# data[].attributes.headline
A North-West based mental health charity YouthFed

# data[].attributes.subject
A North-West based mental health charity YouthFed

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Youth Federation has helped improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people since 2018, focusing on strengths-based early intervention 1-2-1 and group therapy and empowering youth-led peer support through our Your Mind Matters mental health Team.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Youth Federation has helped improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people since 2018, focusing on strengths-based early intervention 1-2-1 and group therapy and empowering youth-led peer support through our Your Mind Matters mental health Team.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
"Emotions" - StoryBots Super Songs Episode 8 | Netflix Jr

# data[].attributes.headline
GoNoodle - activities to help you feel happy :) 

# data[].attributes.subject
GoNoodle - activities to help you feel happy :) 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Balloon (Peace Out: Guided Meditation for Kids) | Cosmic Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Disney RELAXING PIANO Collection -Sleep Music, Study Music, Calm Music (Piano Covered by kno)

# data[].attributes.body
We always take part in this important week, 1-7 February 2027 will be the next one.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This year, Place2Be's official Children's Mental Health Week will take place from 5-11 February 2024. Our theme is 'My Voice Matters'.

We have free resources available to download so that everyone can take part in Children's Mental Health Week. Take a look and see what's available for schools, families and how you can take part and raise vital funds for children's mental health.

Get your own digital or physical copy of our pack, which is bursting with resources to help you take part - from class activities and assembly guides, to lots of creative arts and crafts and fun photobooth props!

Get a resource pack

Our free resources for families, parents and carers can help you get involved with Place2Be's Children's Mental Health Week at home.

Families

Find out more

Learn about how Children's Mental Health Week started and find out about this year's theme, 'My Voice Matters'.

Learn about the week

Download resources

Use our free resources for primary schools and secondary or high schools to take part in Children's Mental Health Week.

Schools

Take part

Find out how you can take part in the week, spread the word and raise vital funds to get us closer to reaching our goal that no child or young person has to face mental health problems alone.

Take part

Raise money

Help us reach our mission our goal that no child or young person has to face a mental health problem alone.

Fundraise for us

Add yourself to our map!

We'd love for you to add your school or organisation to our map! You can see who else is taking part in Children's Mental Health Week across the UK.

However you're planning on taking part in giving a voice to children and young people, we'd love to hear it.
Add yourself to our map

Tell me more

Sign up for Place2Be's Children's Mental Health Week email alerts to be the first to hear about new updates.

How we made a difference in 2023

Schools, families and organisations across the UK (and the world!) took part in Children's Mental Health Week 2023. Whether you downloaded a resource to use in class, held an assembly, organised a fundraiser, made a donation, or tweeted about the week - your support helped Place2Be to reach more children, young people and families.

114330

raised for Place2Be

197000

downloads of our resources

516463

children and young people supporting the week

News and blogs

Keep up with the latest news and views about Children's Mental Health Week.

Children's Mental Health Week 2024: resources available now

With just over 3 months until the week, we're excited to release our free resources to help everyone get involved.

Read more

Place2Be announces theme for Children's Mental Health Week 2024

Place2Be wants all children and young people to be able to say - and believe - "My Voice Matters".

Read more

Young Voices to support Place2Be's Children's Mental Health Week 2024

Young Voices has selected Place2Be as its charity partner for another year, following two successful years of partnership.

Read more

Would you like to become a supporter for Children's Mental Health Week? Get in touch to find out more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Place2Be's Official Children's Mental Health Week shines a spotlight on the importance of children's and young people's mental health.

# data[].attributes.headline
Winston's Wish supporting bereaved children

# data[].attributes.subject
Winston's Wish supporting bereaved children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Information and advice on supporting a bereaved child

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Supporting a bereaved child can be tough. At Winston’s Wish we provide information and guidance about our bereavement service, support for grief and loss.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The following information could help if your child has lost or is about to lose someone, such as a family member or friend.

If your child is about to lose someone

If a child has a loved one, such as a friend or family member who's going to die, they can benefit from special support.

A child's stress level is often at its highest before bereavement because of fear and the unknown.

Pre-bereavement counselling gives a child a chance to think and talk about their feelings and share their worries.
The YoungMinds website has more information on counselling services for children and young people
Making a memory box

If you're a parent and you know you're going to die, you could make a memory box to give to your child, or make one together.

A memory box contains things that remind you both of your time together. It can provide an important link between you and your child once you've gone.
Macmillan Cancer Support has information about making a memory box

If a child has lost someone

Talk about the person who has died

During bereavement, it can help a child to talk about the person who's died, whether it was a grandparent, parent, brother, sister or friend.

Direct, honest and open communication is more helpful than trying to protect your child by hiding the truth. If you exclude them from family ceremonies and services after someone has died it could make them feel excluded.

This can also help your child be open about their own feelings and avoid confusion about what has happened. It may be helpful to talk as a family, perhaps with your child, about how to include them in any events that celebrate or say goodbye to the person who has died.

It's important for them to have someone with whom they can talk about that person and share their emotions. This could be through photos, games, memory boxes or stories.

Over time, children may start to talk more about their loss at different times and in different ways. Young children may start talking about death or including it in their play, but this is normal and is a way for them to make sense of what has happened.

Further support for your child

There are also bereavement charities that offer helplines, email support, and online communities and message boards for children.

These include:

Child Bereavement UK - call 0800 028 8840 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or email helpline@childbereavementuk.org

Cruse Bereavement Care - call 0808 808 1677 Monday and Friday, 9.30am to 5pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.30am to 8pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm

Grief Encounter - call 0808 802 0111 Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm, or email contact@griefencounter.org.uk

Hope Again - call 0808 808 1677 Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, or email hopeagain@cruse.org.uk

Winston's Wish - call 0808 802 0021 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, or email ask@winstonswish.org

You can also find out more about children and bereavement from the Childhood Bereavement Network
Make a memory box

If the person who's died did not leave a memory box, you could make one with your child.

It can include:

gifts

shells collected on the beach

memories written on a card

anything that makes the child feel connected to that person

Don't forget to look after yourself

It's important to make sure you're also getting the support you need after a loss. This can also help you to better support your child.
Read more about getting help with grief after bereavement or loss

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out what to do and where to find bereavement support if your child has lost a loved one or has a loved one who's dying.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The 'in the middle' bot is a chatbot that helps you understand how your child sees your relationship. With a small amount of information and zero judgement, you can learn how your child might be feeling.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This free toolkit is here to help you make co-parenting from separate homes work smoothly, whether you're just beginning or looking to find a better balance together.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A child can't be forced to see the non-resident parent but if there's a court order in place, the resident parent must follow the agreed arrangements.

It's really important that you ask your child and explore what's bothering them before you think about stopping contact with a parent or another family member.

Both parents should work towards helping the child feel safe and happy in their care. A child's feelings are important but contact should be encouraged as long as it does not place them at harm.

If a young person doesn't feel their voice is being heard, they can contact an advocacy service such as NYAS, which helps young people in England and Wales express their wishes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Divorce and separation can be hard, but it's important that your child gets the right support. Know your rights and get advice on helping your child.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is ELSA Intervention?

An ELSA in a school is an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. There is a recognised training course aimed specifically at Teaching Assistants or other specialist school roles. ELSAs are specialists with a wealth of experience of working with children and young people. ELSAs are trained and regularly supervised by Educational Psychologists. The course tends to be 6 full days and covers many areas from emotional literacy to active listening.

Supervision

ELSAs must be supervised regularly by the Educational Psychologists who trained them. This supervision is key to good practice and allows the ELSA to bring up any problems with a group of other ELSAs along with the Educational Psychologist.

Scope of practice

It is important that ELSAs work within the their scope of practice and only cover things they are trained to cover. Any concerns out of their scope of practice should be discussed with their Educational Psychologist and potentially referred on to outside agencies. ELSAs SUPPORT NOT FIX.

ELSA Relationship

ELSAs are warm, kind and caring people who want to make children and young people feel happy in school. and to reach their potential socially, emotionally and academically. They understand the barriers to learning that some children and young people might have and can help them with this.

They can support the children and young person's emotional development and help them cope with life's challenges. ELSAs will also help children and young people to find solutions to problems they might have.

An ELSA is not there to fix problems but to help them find their own solutions and offer that important support to a child or young person.

Relationships are key in helping children and young people to feel safe and nurtured. ELSA is about creating a reflective space for the child or young person.
Please see our leaflet on ELSA
What areas does an ELSA help with?

Loss and bereavement

Emotional Literacy

Self-esteem

Social Skills

Friendship issues

Relationships

Managing strong feelings

Anxiety and worries

Bullying

Conflict

Emotional Regulation

Growth Mindset

Social and therapeutic stories

Problem solving

How are children or young people referred for ELSA?

Class teacher referral

Sendco referral

Parent referral

Child referral

Outside agency referral

How long should an ELSA Intervention last?

ELSA intervention should be a short term focus intervention with clear aims. Usually half a term to a full term in length.

ELSA Short term focused intervention

The vast majority of ELSA sessions are proactive. This means that there are targets for the ELSA to achieve with the child or young person. This makes the intervention measurable so the school knows the child or young person has made progress and the intervention has been successful. The targets are known as SMART - specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time limited. For examples of targets please see our blogpost

It is helpful to measure data prior and post intervention to ensure the child or young person has progressed or to see what the next steps might be. We at Elsa-Support developed our own measure that is very popular (with many comments being made from SLT and even OFSTED) - Social and Emotional assessments

Once the target has been set an ELSA can plan a series of sessions for that child to help them achieve their target. This might be a one to one session or a group session. The usual intervention is 6 sessions (half a term) but it could be a little longer if necessary. It is important the child or young person doesn't become too attached and reliant on the ELSA because the aim for most children or young people is to cope independently with any challenges that they face.

Our planning templates can be found here

- Individual session planning

- Group session planning

We also have a huge list of typical learning objectives

A typical ELSA lesson

There would be a welcome for the child or young person along with an emotional check in. How do they feel today?

A warm up or icebreaker game or activity would be played. This part is important because it helps the child to feel relaxed and it's fun!

The main activity would follow where the ELSA would be teaching something to help the pupil with their target. The ELSA would also review what was learnt last time to see if the child or young person has remembered and if they used the skill taught.

There would be a relaxation exercise to help the child or young person be ready for class and a quick review on what the child or young person has learnt that session. At this point the ELSA may ask the child or young person to do something for next time. eg. practise star breathing when feeling angry.

Here is a visual timetable of a lesson to download ELSA Session This is helpful for the child or young person, ELSA and also a great way to show other members of staff what goes on in a typical session.

ELSA Reactive Support

Sometimes things happen in life such as a death, divorce, illness, hospital stay, and so on. An ELSA can help the child or young person reactively which means they can support them immediately when things like this happen. Through a strong relationship with the ELSA, the child or young person can feel safe and cared for and know that someone is there for them. Reactive support is very much about active listening which is taught on the course. It is child or young person led and there aren't any targets.

Where do sessions take place?

This all depends on the school and the space available. Ideally there is a room especially for ELSA intervention.

Here some ELSAs have shared displays they have done in their rooms. We also have a blog post on setting up a room - Setting up an ELSA room

Parent Communication

Whilst permission isn't needed to run a school based intervention with children, it is important to work with parents and inform them. Children or young people can make so much more progress when the parent and ELSA work together. Perhaps the parent can continue the learning outside of the session eg. practising coping strategies when the child has big emotions.

We do have a few leaflets to send home to parents that might be helpful.

ELSA Resources

We have developed many resources over the past 10 years and are leading in this area with many ELSAs using our resources. We have resources for children from 4 years old to 18 years old. (EYFS, KS1, KS2, and Secondary). Our resources are not only suitable for ELSAs but also for other practitioners. There are a huge list of people who use our resources and here are a few of them:

GPs

Teachers

Learning mentors

Social Workers

Camhs

NHS Nurses

Counsellors

EMHPs

Education Psychologists

Teaching Assistants

HLTAs

Family Support workers

SENDCO

Head Teachers

We have a huge library of over 500 free resources available for ANYONE to download. There is no catch, no sign up, just download. We hope they help you to support children - Free resource section Each Friday we add a new one to the free resource section. Known as #elsafreefriday. Of course we often add more than one but this one is guaranteed every single week.

We have lots of low cost resources available for you to download. Full programmes of support linked to areas covered by ELSAs and tools for you to use with your training knowledge. - ELSA Support resources

Most of our resources are digital downloads. Recently we designed and created some Notepads and Stickers and you can find them in 'Debbie's Hive'

New ELSAs or anyone else that work with children

Please join us in our ELSA Support and Wellbeing Mentors group. This is a caring community of other practitioners (over 15,000) who support each other. No question is too small and there is always someone who can support and help you. (me included).

Follow us

Find out more about ELSA

To find out more about the ELSA course, contact the Educational Psychologists in your local authority and ask them if they are running one, if not ask them if it is possible for the future. Additionally check out neighbouring local authorities because they will sometimes take people out of their area to make up numbers. To find out more about ELSA visit the ELSA Network site

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is ELSA Intervention? - ELSA Support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is ELSA? What is ELSA INTERVENTION? This post should help to clearly explain the purpose of the ELSA programme.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Puddle Jumping: how children can seem to move in and out of their grief | Child Bereavement UK

# data[].attributes.headline
A local charity offering support to young carers

# data[].attributes.subject
A local charity offering support to young carers

# data[].attributes.body
Cheshire Young Carers support young carers across Cheshire in three key areas, school holiday respite programmes, individual & group support and working with schools/colleges to provide specialised support.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Cheshire Young Carers | Chester | Supporting children who care for others

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Delivering effective and fun respite for young carers since 1997, Cheshire Young Carers help thousands of young people by listening to their needs, giving them a break, making sure they feel like a child and allowing them space to have ‘me’ time.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Being a young carer: your rights - Social care and support guide

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you are 18 or under and you care for someone you are entitled to help and support.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Sometimes, being a young carer can get too much to deal with on your own. Talk to your teacher, school nurse, college counsellor or GP if you're having any of these feelings:

feeling stressed by too much responsibility

feeling physically tired

feeling worried about your relative's health

struggling to cope with other people's mood

having no time for yourself or your homework

missing school

feeling embarrassed about your situation

being bullied

experiencing low self-esteem, anxiety, anger or guilt

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Young Carers | Mental Health Tips for Young Carers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sometimes, being a young carer can get too much to deal with on your own.

# data[].attributes.body
A local service to support with all aspects of family life. Click the picture above to open the flyer.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Northwich Thriving Families Leaflet Amended

# data[].attributes.body
Parent helpline for young people's mental health needs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We support main carers of children and young people, as well as parents. You might be a kinship carer, legal guardian, foster carer, grandparent or sibling. If you are the child or young person's main carer, we want to support you. Our advisers are trained and experienced in supporting carers as well as parents.

If you are a family member or friend, but you are not the child or young person's main carer, see our online information for advice around how you can support them. You can also encourage their parent or main carer to contact us.

If you are a professional looking for information about supporting the young people you work with, see our resources for professionals.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Parents Helpline | Mental Health Help for Your Child

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The YoungMinds Parents Helpline, Webchat and Email provide support and help for parents and carers worried about their child's mental health and wellbeing.