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Pastoral Care

'Leaders work tirelessly to promote wellbeing. Prioritising wellbeing enhances lives, as people are nurtured and cared for'. SIAMS March 2024.

'The support for pupils' wellbeing and welfare is a priority. As such, pupils feel safe and well cared for. They trust adults to swiftly sort out any problems that might arise' OFSTED 2022

At St Michael & All Angels, we believe in promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. Prioritising the wellbeing of students and staff ensures that effective teaching and learning can take place, and that the school is a community where everyone feels able to thrive.

We are very proud of our caring culture.

At St Michaels, pupils’ wellbeing and welfare is a priority and one of our strengths. That said, pastoral care is something that continually needs development and support, especially in an evolving and challenging world for our whole community.

Children's mental wellbeing is very important, and it can be a very difficult balancing act as children grow up, especially during challenging times as they experience life events. 

It can be a very difficult balancing act as children grow up, especially during challenging times as they experience life events. Therefore, we have a range of support mechanisms for families, from informal and ad-hoc support to more formal and structured support. After all, every family needs some sort of support at some point in time along the path of life.

Support for Families – You Are Not Alone

If you or someone in your family is finding things difficult, please know that help is available. You do not have to cope on your own. The services below offer free, confidential support and are there to listen, day or night.

🚨 If you or someone else is in immediate danger

Please call 999 straight away.

24‑Hour Support Lines

Samaritans

If you are struggling to cope or need someone to talk to:

Calls to this number are automatically routed to the nearest available Samaritan volunteer.

West Yorkshire Mental Health Helpline

Local mental health support for adults:

  • Call: 0800 183 0558
  • Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

NHS 111 – Mental Health Support

  • Call: 111 and select option 2 for mental health support
  • Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Calderdale Single Point of Access

Local support for Calderdale residents:

  • Call: 0800 183 0558
  • Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Text and Online Support

SHOUT

If talking on the phone feels difficult, you can text instead:

  • Text: SHOUT to 85258
  • Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Support for anyone feeling unhappy, anxious or overwhelmed:

  • Call: 0800 58 58 58
  • Webchat: Available via their website
  • Hours: 5pm – midnight, 365 days a year

PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide

Support for children, young people and those who care for them:

  • HOPELINE247: 0800 068 41 41 (24/7)
  • Text: 88247
  • Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

Additional Local and National Support

  • Nightline: 01422 255 455
  • Staying Safe Calderdale: 01422 323339
  • Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87
  • Karma Nirvana: 0800 5999 247 (support for victims of honour‑based abuse)

Helpful Apps

  • Stay Alive – A suicide‑prevention app with tools and resources
  • Calm Harm – Support for managing urges to self‑harm

đź’› A final note

Asking for help can feel like the hardest step, but it is also the bravest. Support is available, and there are people who care deeply about your wellbeing. Please reach out if you or someone you love needs support.

 

There are many links and documents to support families at the bottom of this page.

Parent workshops

We regularly run parent workshops in conjunction with local providers such as OpenMinds on topics such as Social Media and Wellbeing, Keeping Children Safe, Anxiety and Sleep Difficulties, which cover a broad spectrum of ways to keep children safe. 

SEN and Pastoral Drop In Sessions

We have regular SEN and Pastoral Drop-In Sessions for parents which are advertised on the school calendar and correspondence.  Please do not hesitate to contact us with any queries or concerns in the meantime.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

The school has a number of staff with the 'Young People Mental Health First Aid' qualification. The 'Young People Mental Health First Aid' qualification ensures they have skills and knowledge to begin support young people as they develop into young adults and deal with common difficulties they may experience. We also work alongside outside agencies and can refer children or families if you require more support or help. If you need any help numbers please do ask.

Support in School

Staff are here to support families and pupils. If you wish to contact our team or make a referral for your child to work with them please complete the form below. There are some links at the bottom of the page that are useful in supporting positive wellbeing.
If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm please do not use this form. In an emergency where there is a threat to life or serious injury call 999, if you are concerned that a crime has been committed, call 101.

Contact Mrs Westby, Learning Mentor

Mrs Westby supports families and pupils and you can use the contact box below to get in touch with her directly. There are some links at the bottom of the page that are useful in supporting positive wellbeing.

 

Advice for parents to support their children at home

Mental health for children and adults

Calming techniques

Advice and Support

  • Anna Freud Supporting children and young people's mental health
  • Relationships Matter Helping families and couples (whether together or separated) understand and build healthy relationships
  • Oneplusone App Separating better: digital support for separating parents
  • LGBT Stonewall offers a student guide for dealing with Support and advice on coming out.
  • Mental Health and Stress Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. It includes practical advice on dealing with anxiety or stress.
  • Anti-Bullying Alliance The Anti-Bullying Alliance is a coalition of organisations and individuals that are united against bullying.
  • Youngminds Youngminds offers information and advice on mental health and all aspects of emotional wellbeing, plus online support.
  • Childline Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
  • NSPCC The NSPCC is the UK's leading children's charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover.
  • Kidscape Help with keeping children from bullying and harm, with adults who keep them safe and help them to reach their full potential.
  • Kooth Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people.
  • Open Minds Open Minds offers support to the 2 in 5 people aged 16 and above who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression.
  • Family Lives Advice and support

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