Place2Be

At Ashmount we work with an organisation called Place2Be which is a children’s mental health charity with over 25 years’ experience in working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools. They provide mental health support in schools through one-to-one and group counselling using tried and tested methods supported by research. They also offer expert training and professional qualifications.

We believe that it is important to support children’s mental health as well as their physical health.

We know from research that:

• 1 in 6 children and young people have a diagnosed mental health problem, 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 health condition are excluded in some form from school.

Place2Be provide an integrated and specialist approach:

Like us, they are committed to helping children with their mental health. Their approach is to intervene early to prevent lifelong mental health problems.

• Early early support to spot mental health problems before they develop and help children cope with challenges throughout their lives
• An effective therapeutic approach which is backed by research and combines several ways of working
• A range of different services, including advice and support for families and school staff, to build resilience and raise awareness of mental health across the whole school community.

Place2Be: Parenting Smart  offers practical tips, in the form of videos and text, from child mental health experts to support children’s wellbeing and manage behaviour. There is a range of material on the parenting smart website which covers topics such as: dealing with bereavement, sibling rivalry and gender identity development.

Place2Talk

One of the most popular aspects of Place2Be’s support in schools is called ‘Place2Talk’. It’s open to all pupils, and they can make an appointment to spend 15 minutes with a trained counsellor, either by themselves or with a friend. On average, about a third of pupils in Place2Be’s schools take advantage of this service every year. Pupils often talk about friendships or any worries they may have. For more information about Place2Talk, please read the information sheet below.

Place2Talk Information Sheet for Parents and Carers 

Unless we hear otherwise from you, the school and Place2Be will assume that your child has parent/carers’ permission to come to Place2Talk.

If you would not like your child to have access to this service, please complete and sign the withdrawal form and return it to the school office as soon as possible. A paper copy is available at the office.

Place2Talk Withdrawal Form

For more information about Place2Be or Place2Talk and what it looks like at Ashmount, please contact Fiona Brisbourne our Place2Be project manager: fiona.brisbourne@ashmount.islington.sch.uk