Student Support Services

From time to time all students may need a helping hand - some extra care and support when the going gets tough. Within the School we have a number of ways in which we can provide support and there are also many other places where students can help if needed.

Support in School

At Axe Valley Academy, we have a number of ways to help support our students.

Students can speak to their Tutor, Head of Year, Subject Teacher or a member of the Senior Staff if they have any concerns or worries and are finding it difficult to cope. But there are also other places that students can turn for support.

School Nurse

Our School Nurse is Anita Coombs is usually in school every 2 weeks and can meet with students that wish to see her. The School Nurse can help deal with many issues including anxiety.

Parents and carers can make direct referrals via the School Nurse Hub:

E-mail - easternphnhub@devon.gov.uk

Phone - 0333 234 1903

Contact details - St Michael’s, Orchard Way, Honiton, EX14 1HU

Student and parents should speak to either Liz Jackson (Years 10 and 11), Carol Horwood (Years 8 and 9), Elliot Turner (Year 7) or Yvonne Ashby to be referred to the nurse, or they can text the School Nurse Team directly via ChatHealth on: 07520 631722

The school nurse team have launched a new website - Health for Teens:

Health for Teens | Devon

For more information on supporting our students and keeping them safe, please see our Safeguarding Page which has useful information including various factsheets and articles.

Useful Contacts and Resources

ChatHealth 07520 631722

ChatHealth is a text service for young people aged 13-19 at secondary school to reach out to the School Nurse team for confidential advice on a wide range of issues such as bullying, emotional health and wellbeing, sexual health as well as illnesses.

For more information please visit: Home Page - ChatHealth

ChildLine 0800 1111 (Freephone)

Childline is a free and confidential service. It offers children and young people a safe way to explore their worries however big or small. Support is available by phone or online any time day or night plus there is lots of information and advice on their website on wide range of issues.

For more information please visit: Childline | Childline

The Mix 0808 808 4994 (Freephone)

The Mix provides safe and confidential group chat and discussion boards, plus messaging support service and telephone counselling for young people under 25. You can visit the website, call the freephone number, or if you need help immediately you can also text The Mix on their crisis messenger text service which provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you’re aged 25 or under, and are experiencing any painful emotion or are in crisis, you can text THEMIX to 85258.

For more information please visit: Get Support - The Mix

Online Counselling – Kooth.com

Young people aged 11 to 18 years have access to online advice, self-help tools and counselling through Kooth.com. This is available 365 days a year and interactive counselling is available until 10pm every night.

For more information please visit: Home - Kooth

Young Devon 07935 364 652

Young Devon provides counselling and support for young people that need help with their wellbeing or mental health. Counselling is being offered via Zoom video link where possible, and there is currently about a 6 week waiting list. Young Devon is also offering face to face counselling, but the waiting list is a bit longer. To apply for these sessions, the young person will need to complete this online referral form: Wellbeing | Young Devon

Email: yes.exeter@youngdevon.org

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

CAMHS are offering additional crisis support during coronavirus. If a child or young person (under 18) is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can now access CAMHS 24/7.

Please contact 03300 245 321 during normal hours (8am-5pm, Mon to Fri) or 0300 555 5000 outside these hours. Callers will speak to a call handler, their call will then be forwarded to a voicemail service and their message will be returned within one hour.

For more information please visit: CAMHS - Children and Family Health

Papyrus UK 0800 068 4141

Papyrus UK provides support for young people thinking about suicide

For more information please visit Papyrus UK - Suicide Prevention Charity

Child Bereavement UK 0800 02 888 40

For more information please visit Child Bereavement UK

Self Help - mental health and wellbeing

The following websites, apps and courses are particularly useful sources of self help.

Coping with Loneliness

Loneliness affects many young people, especially those living in rural areas. Some people can be alone and not feel lonely and others can be surrounded by people and feel lonely. If loneliness affects you then you can use the support numbers above. Or try some of the ideas in one of these 3 booklets:

Anxiety Canada

Information to help young people manage anxiety plus self-help strategies for many disorders.

For more information, please visit Anxiety in Youth - Anxiety Canada

SAMApp

Free app (and advert free) for Supporting Anxiety Management. SAMapp will help you to understand what causes your anxiety, monitor your anxious thoughts and behaviour over time and manage your anxiety through self-help exercises and private reflection.

For more information, please visit Self-help App for the Mind (SAM)

YMCA Exeter

Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Service

A free psychological wellbeing service is for 5-18 year olds which offers support and intervention for low-mood, anxiety, and behavioural difficulties. Young people can self-refer via the website. Visit here.