EA Wellbeing Support for Children_ YP & Families FINAL
The purpose of this document is for schools to use when considering which supports may be appropriate for a young person. The Supports provided in each section are just some examples of what is available within East Ayrshire and we would encourage staff to consider these using a TAC approach where appropriate.
This toolkit was created by the East Ayrshire Wellbeing Network, made up of a range of professionals who work to support the wellbeing of children and young people including counsellors, educational psychologists and home-link workers. It is designed to be used by teachers to support children in primary and secondary schools. Some activities would also be suitable for use by parents.
D-EXY is an online support for the mental health of Young People when and where they need it.
We are a digital therapy service designed to help young people who are going through a challenging time or who want to keep on top of their wellbeing. We provide online tools and support to help them get back on track with the things that matter – like friends, mental health, work and study.
D-EXY provides on-demand support to young people with small bites of proven therapeutic content, videos, activities and practical strategies that work – all available online, when and where they’re needed. D-EXY also offers, safe, moderated online community discussions, and access to counselling – so they have real people to talk to and helpful information they can work through in their own time.
D-EXY is always open 24/7. Young people are welcome to visit when it suits them
MHWB Support Flowcharts
The Flowcharts below were designed to help schools navigate supports for mental health and wellbeing from the earliest level of intervention through to enhanced or immediate support.
Local Supports for Children and Young People
The-Exchange Counselling and Psychological Wellbeing service is available for all children and young people from P1 right through to S6 in East Ayrshire. You can find out more on The-Exchange website .
To request assistance from the Exchange, please click here.
Ayrshire Cancer Support now has a service designed solely to support Children and Young People affected by cancer. This could be themselves or a friend or family member. Please view their leaflets for more information and for how to make a referral.
A guide for children and young people with learning difficulties
A guide for young people 12 – 25 years
Beautiful Inside and Out
Contact: beautifulinsideandoutscio@gmail.com
Tel: 07984328808
Support for bereaved siblings of suicide victims. Promoting feelings of self-worth.
Be-friending Service
Contact: vibrantcommunities@east-ayrshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01563 576359
1-1 be-friending and be-friending group sessions.
The be-friending service accept requests for assistance for children and young people who are socially isolated, needing support to re-engage with others and their communities plus 2 of the following factors:
- Behavioural issues
- Chaotic home life
- Family difficulties
- Emotional difficulties
- Lack of role models
- Care leavers.
YIP World
Contact: info@yipworld.org
Tel: 01290 422364
Can provide a range of support services for children and young people.
Young Carers
Contact: admin@eastayrshirecarers.org.uk
Tel: Kilmarnock – 01563 571533
Cumnock – 012390 426404
Dalmellington – 01292 550696
Offer 1-1 and group supports to young carers. Age specific groups run weekly in Kilmarnock, Cumnock, New Cumnock and Dalmellington.
Your Mind Matters
- 1-1 Support
- Group Support
- Peer Support Programmes
To find out more, or make a request, please contact Lynne Clement on 07860949357 or email lynne.clement@samh.org.uk
LGBT Youth groups
The LGBT youth groups are safe and supportive environments for young people to attend and be themselves. Contact vibrantcommunities@east-ayrshire.gov.uk
East Ayrshire Women’s Aid. For women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse. Contact them via their website: https://www.eastayrshirewomensaid.org.uk/ or call them on 01563 536001
Break the Silence provide a range of tailored, holistic support options for survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse who are aged 13 years and above. They are open Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm and you can contact them on 01563 559558 or email them at info@breakthesilence.org.uk
School Nursing Service
The overall purpose of the School Nursing team is to provide home or school / community based support to Children and Young People in relation to their assessed health and wellbeing. Targeted Interventions in line with the 10 National Pathways for School Nursing include support for children and young people in the following areas:
- Looked After Children
- Children in need of Care and Protection
- Emotional Health and Wellbeing
Children and Young People affected by vulnerability or adversity such as homelessness, domestic abuse, substance misuse, young carers or who require
additional support at times of transition. Sexual health and wellbeing is also considered a priority pathway.
RFA to school nurse via Head Teacher or Pupil Support Teacher SPOC line 01563545737 to discuss with School Nurse
Children’s 1st
Children’s 1st have been procured by the School Nursing service and are available to support children, young people and their families with wellbeing and other areas which may impact on home/school life. RFA’s via the school nurse or education.
Speech and Language Therapy East Ayrshire Drop in
SLT23-002-GD East Ayrshire drop in – A3 poster
Occupational Therapy (OT) Advice Line
OT21-003-GD OT (East) Advice line – leaflet (004)
CAMHS
NHS Ayrshire and Arran CAMHS will accept referrals for young people who present with mental health problems that are causing significant impairments in their day-to- day lives, and where the other services and approaches described above have not been effective, or are not appropriate. For more information about what is an appropriate referral to CAMHS and how they can help please read the Referral Guidance
NHS Recommended Apps and Websites for supporting children and young people’s Mental Health and Wellbeing – Apps Websites Helplines MHWB 2024
National Supports for Young People
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 116 123. Calls are confidential and will be taken by a trained Samaritans volunteer. Alternatively, email jo@samaritans.org.
Breathing Space is available between 6pm and 2am any day of the week on 0800 83 85 87 (calls are free of charge). Calls will be taken by an employed mental health advisor.
Childline is a free 24 hour helpline where children and young people can talk to a counsellor about any problem. Phone 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk
Click here to access CAMHS Self Help Resources. This is a collection of downloadable self-help guides for children and young people.
Papyrus, Young Suicide prevention society, is open 365 days a year, 9am-midnight. Call them on 0800 068 4141
LGBT Youth Scotland have a live chat on their website 3 times a week where you can chat directly with trained youth workers about whatever is on your mind. Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm-8pm. You can also email info@lgbtyouth.org.uk outwith these hours if you need support.
NSPCC provides mental health support to children and young people. It’s open Monday-Friday 8am-10pm or 9am-6pm at weekends. Call 0808 800 5000
SAMH Information Service. Get support, information or a chat about mental health. Open 9am-6pm, Monday-Friday. Phone 0344 800 0500 or email info@samh.org.uk
SHOUT – Text Service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. A place to go if you are struggling to cope and need immediate help. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text SHOUT to 85258.
Young Minds Crisis Messenger – Text message service for young people looking for help and support with mental health. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text YM to 85258.
Unravel – Promoting Positive Sleep for teenagers & grief support for C&YP
