Pioneering work to support schoolchildren with emotional and mental health concerns is being showcased at a conference in Brighton & Hove this Thursday (12).

The one-day conference aims to introduce good practice into more schools in the city and share learning with other local authorities.  Innovative schemes such as a survey of children’s feelings and another involving dedicated mental health workers working with both children and teachers have helped identify children who may benefit from additional intervention.
 
A programme of initiatives to tackle the low self-esteem children often suffer as they move from primary to secondary is being highlighted including analysing children’s feelings, working with learning mentors as well as dedicated spaces for children to talk about emotional problems.
 
The event  will highlight schools in the city that are leading the way as part of the national TaMHS (Targeted Mental Health in Schools) programme.
 
The city is one of 25 pathfinder local authorities funded under a three-year Department for Children, Schools and Families programme.  The pilot, which is running in 12 schools, focuses on tracking outcomes for children as they transfer from primary to secondary school.
 
Councillor Vanessa Brown, Brighton & Hove City Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“It’s important to recognise that many children experience emotional difficulties at school. The TaMHS project has given our schools the opportunity to support pupils at a particularly difficult stage in their education and ensure that they have the best start possible to their secondary education.
 
“We’ve made great strides in our work within emotional health and well-being in children and as a pathfinder authority have demonstrated how the city successfully pilots and trials schemes. I think visitors from other authorities will find the conference extremely insightful.”
 
The conference starts at 8.30am at Brighton Racecourse. 

For more information, contact  Vicki Lader 01273 293736 or email: vicki.lader@brighton-hove.gov.uk