At Upton Primary School, we want every child to feel safe, valued and able to thrive. Children learn best when they feel secure, develop positive relationships and know where to find help when something is worrying them.

Health and wellbeing are supported through our curriculum, relationships, routines and wider pastoral provision. We teach children to recognise and talk about their emotions, build healthy relationships, keep themselves safe and develop the confidence and resilience they need as they grow.

Support in School

All staff share responsibility for children’s wellbeing. We aim to notice concerns early, listen carefully and work alongside children and their families.

Support may include:

• time with a trusted adult;

• pastoral or emotional wellbeing support;

• reasonable adjustments within school;

• support with friendships, behaviour or attendance;

• work with our safeguarding and inclusion teams; and

• help to access appropriate external services.

If you are worried about your child, their class teacher will usually be the best first point of contact. You can also contact the school office and ask to speak with an appropriate member of the pastoral, safeguarding or inclusion team.

School staff can offer support, identify emerging needs and help families access other services. However, school is not an emergency or specialist clinical service.

Local Support for Children and Families

Compass RISE Wakefield provides free and confidential emotional health and wellbeing support for children and young people aged 5 to 19, their families and schools across the Wakefield district.

Wakefield CAMHS supports children and young people who are experiencing more significant difficulties with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Wakefield Families Together brings services together to help children, young people and families access support within their local community.

WF-I-CAN provides information, self-help resources and details of local support for children and young people in Wakefield.

Advice for Parents and Carers

The following organisations provide reliable information and practical guidance:

• YoungMinds – support for parents and carers

• NHS – children and young people’s mental health

• NSPCC – supporting children’s mental health

• Childline – free and confidential support for children and young people, including by telephone on 0800 1111

Urgent Help

If someone is in immediate danger or there is a serious risk of harm, call 999 or attend the nearest Accident and Emergency department.

For urgent mental health support that is not an immediate emergency, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. This service is available 24 hours a day.

A safeguarding concern about a child can also be reported to school. During the school day, contact the school office and ask to speak to a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Wakefield’s Shared Priorities

The Wakefield District Children and Young People’s Plan 2025–2028 sets out the district’s shared ambition for children and young people to be happy, healthy, safe, resilient and hopeful for their future.