Schools

It is becoming increasingly apparent that children are not demonstrating a high level of emotional resilience and that this is often exacerbated by social circumstances.

East Anglia has very few resources to support young people’s mental health and generic services have long waiting list and a high threshold criteria.

Overview

We are working in schools offering support to individuals and whole class groups, focusing on issues such as, anxiety, self-harm, managing change, behaviour and resilience.

If young people can receive emotional support from a qualified professional within their school setting, they will have greater opportunity to fulfil their potential, both academically and socially. As a Social Work professional my work will always incorporate the entire family and social dynamics. This is a key factor in dealing with a majority of young people who are struggling with their emotional wellbeing.

School professionals are increasingly being expected to have the time, knowledge and skills to support young people experiencing mental health issues. The fact is that without the right early support these young people not only require a lot of time from professionals but can present risks that need to be managed and assessed. The Parachute Project can fill the gap in services by providing counselling support in school to pupils. We can focus on a broad range of mental health issues and to reach out to many children. This is due to our unique packages of support. Children will be able to access a course of 6-8 sessions that are results driven and take a psychoeducation approach giving children and when necessary, parents/carers the tools to understand and manage issues such as anxiety, anger management, social anxiety, self-harm, identity concerns and low mood.

*Parents and Carers can also contact the consultancy directly and pay for private support for their child from the Consultancy.

Programmes

Emotional Resilience

Suitable for Key Stage 1 and 2. 4 x 60-minute whole class session and a parent workshop**. Providing psychoeducation and techniques to help children understand and manage their emotions. 

Transition and Change

Directed at pupils in Year 5 through to Year 7. 4 x 60-minute whole class session and a parent workshop**. Supporting children with psychoeducation and helpful techniques to manage their transition to high school and help them to understand how to better manage and communicate their feelings. 

*All children are provided with a unique, interactive resource pack.

**Each package includes a workshop for parents at the end of the block of sessions to provide them with an understanding of what their child has been learning and how they can support them to embed the strategies at home. It is paramount to us that parents, teachers and children should all have a shared understanding, language and tools for promoting emotional and mental wellbeing. We value the importance of collaborative partnerships.

The programmes are  

  • Created by us, using our collective experience working in mental health (NHS, education, private practice), underpinned by scientific theory.
  • Sessions are interactive and meaningful – children complete purposeful tasks from a carefully designed, quality resource pack that they get to keep.
  • Scientific theory is explained to children in an engaging way, at an age-appropriate level to ensure it makes sense.
  • Provide practical strategies which empower children to better manage and communicate their feelings.
  • Teach techniques for successfully managing transition and change.
  • Linked to the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study.
  • Delivered by The Parachute Project staff who all have a background in mental health and education, have had bespoke training with The Parachute Project and have enhanced DBS checks.

Quality Measurement

Quality measurement assessments are currently taking place in the form of feedback forms both from adults and children.

Since starting the consultancy in January 2021, 100% of the work proposed after the initial consultation was taken up. Feedback based on 16 families accessing the 8 session programs since February 2021.

Positively achieving change with the issue
0 %
Educating the young person about their mental health and anxiety
0 %
22 of the 25 children were able to manage their issues after an initial block of 8 counselling sessions and needed no further immediate intervention.
0 %
100% of the children stated they valued their sessions
0 %
13 of the 16 children said they were more able to engage in their education after an initial 8 sessions.
0 %

We’re making a difference

I think I've learnt how to manage my emotion and understand my ADHD. I owe my recovery and mindset to you and I'll always be grateful.

- Young person, aged 16

The Parachute Project has helped me so much. I understand my feelings and feel happier.

- Child, aged 10

The Parachute Project has been a life saver for us and even though Abi is working with our son she is also able to give us support as parents and give us a positive and friendly face in a stressful situation.

- Dominique Grant

Abi has been absolutely fantastic with our son. She was really able to make him feel at ease and gave him and us the reassurance for him to open up and talk about his emotions more.

- Amy Janes

Few months ago son wouldn’t have dreamed of walking into school by himself and his anxiety got in the way !

- Sarah Gibbs

I think you guys did an amazing job you make me feel like I can face my fears and I really enjoyed these last few days. I hope you keep doing what you are doing to help other kids.

- Young person, aged 11

It was really good I enjoyed it, it was fun and I learnt things at the same time. I feel more confident on moving up to high school and I know what to do when I’m worried about something.

- Young person

The children were fully engaged in the sessions and learned so much.

- Year 2 class teacher

As a school, we feel that the support that The Parachute Project have provided for our pupils has been invaluable and we are looking forward to being able to continue to work with them in the future.

- Sophie Stephens

Abi and Freddie were very keen to provide exactly what we felt each group needed and worked closely with us to form this package of support which ran over five weeks and ended in week six with an information and Q and A session for parents.

- Kirsten Stibbon

She is now able to manage her emotions and is much less likely to worry about things she can’t control.

- Teacher of child age 7

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