At Mapperley Plains Primary and Nursery School, we want every child to feel safe, understood and able to ask for help.

Children can experience worries, low mood, friendship difficulties, bereavement, changes at home, problems with sleep or difficulty managing strong emotions. Sometimes these difficulties pass with reassurance and support. At other times, a child or family may need additional help.

This page explains how school can help and where families can find trusted local and national support.

Urgent help

If a child or another person is in immediate danger, call 999 or attend the nearest Accident and Emergency department. For urgent mental health support in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire:

• call NHS 111 and follow the mental health prompts

• alternatively, call the Nottinghamshire mental health crisis line on 0808 196 3779

The crisis service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and supports people of all ages.

School staff and the contact form on this website are not monitored outside school hours and must not be used in an emergency.

Talk to us

Parents and carers do not need to wait until a problem becomes serious before contacting school. You can speak to:

• your child’s class teacher

• Carla Smith, our SENCO

• a member of the safeguarding team

• the school office, which can help identify the most appropriate person

Telephone the school on 0115 964 9360.

We will listen to your concerns, consider what your child may need and agree appropriate next steps with you. This could include support in school, advice for home, involvement from our Mental Health Support Team practitioner or signposting to another service.

We cannot diagnose a mental health condition, but we can help families understand the available support and make sure concerns affecting a child in school are properly considered.

Mental Health Support Team at MPPS

Mapperley Plains works with the Nottinghamshire Mental Health Support Team.

Mental Health Support Teams provide early support for children and families experiencing difficulties such as anxiety, low mood, sleep problems and managing emotions. Support may include individual work, group sessions, workshops and advice for parents and school staff.

Our current practitioner: Steph Mathers

How support is requested: Please speak to your child’s class teacher or contact the school office if you would like to discuss whether this support may be appropriate.

Local support for Nottinghamshire families

NottAlone

NottAlone brings together mental health information, advice and local support services for children, young people, adults, parents, carers and professionals across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. You can search by concern and find appropriate local, telephone and online services.

Visit NottAlone

Be U Notts

Be U Notts provides free early mental health and emotional wellbeing support for children and young people aged 0 to 25 who live in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, excluding Bassetlaw.

Support can include advice, one-to-one therapeutic support, groups, peer support and help with concerns such as anxiety, low mood and self-harm.

Visit Be U Notts

Parentline

Parentline is a confidential text messaging service for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 19 in Nottinghamshire.

Parents can ask the Healthy Family Team about emotional wellbeing, behaviour, sleep, development, bullying and other health concerns.

Text 07520 619919, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm, excluding bank holidays. Messages are usually answered within one working day.

Healthy Family Team Advice Line

Parents and carers can also telephone the Healthy Family Team for advice about emotional wellbeing, behaviour, routines, sleep and other family health concerns.

Call 0300 123 5436, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Advice for common concerns

Worry and anxiety

Children may show anxiety by becoming tearful, seeking repeated reassurance, avoiding situations, reporting physical symptoms or finding separation difficult.

Speak to school when anxiety is affecting attendance, learning, friendships or everyday family life. Parents can also contact their GP, NottAlone or Be U Notts for further advice.

Managing emotions and behaviour

Strong behaviour often communicates an unmet need or an emotion a child cannot yet explain. It can help to notice:

• what happens before the behaviour

• when and where it happens

• how long it lasts

• what helps the child recover

• whether there have been changes at home or school

Sharing this information with school can help us identify patterns and agree consistent approaches.

Sleep

Poor sleep can affect a child’s mood, behaviour, concentration and ability to manage everyday challenges.

Parentline and the Healthy Family Team Advice Line can offer advice about sleep routines and related concerns.

Friendship difficulties and bullying

Occasional disagreements are a normal part of childhood, but repeated unkindness, intimidation or exclusion must be taken seriously.

Please contact your child’s class teacher if you are worried. Concerns about bullying will be addressed in line with the school’s behaviour and anti-bullying procedures.

Bereavement, loss and family change

Children may respond differently to bereavement, separation, illness or other significant changes. Reactions can include sadness, anger, anxiety, changes in behaviour or difficulty concentrating.

Let school know about significant changes so that we can respond sensitively and monitor how your child is coping.

Online experiences

Online content, gaming, group chats and social media can affect children’s sleep, confidence, friendships and emotional wellbeing.

Parents can find practical advice about online wellbeing, cyberbullying and managing technology through Internet Matters.

Trusted national advice

YoungMinds

YoungMinds provides information and practical advice for parents and carers who are concerned about a child’s mental health. The Parents Helpline is available on 0808 802 5544:

• Monday, Thursday and Friday: 9.30am to 4.00pm

• Tuesday and Wednesday: 9.30am to 6.00pm

Online webchat is also available during published opening hours.

Visit YoungMinds

Anna Freud

Anna Freud provides practical, evidence-informed resources for families and schools, including advice about talking to primary-aged children about mental health.

Talking to children about mental health

Primary child self-care plan

Health for Kids

Health for Kids provides NHS health and wellbeing information for primary-aged children and their parents, including information about local Nottinghamshire services.

Visit Health for Kids Nottinghamshire

Guides and events for parents

Current guides, workshops and Mental Health Support Team events will be added below when they are available. Each item should clearly show:

• the topic

• the intended audience

• the date and time

• whether it is online or in person

• how to book

• the date on which the information will be removed

Past event flyers and expired booking information will be removed from this page.

A note about apps

The school does not routinely endorse individual commercial wellbeing apps.

Families should check the intended age range, privacy arrangements, evidence base, subscription costs and whether an app is designed for general wellbeing or for a specific clinical need.

An app should not replace professional help when a child’s difficulties are persistent, worsening or affecting everyday life.

Worried about a child’s safety?

If your concern relates to abuse, neglect, exploitation or a child being at risk of harm, please use the safeguarding information on our Concerned about a child? page or contact the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads.

In an emergency, call 999.