Pupil support
Resources and links supporting pupils
CAMHS
CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, which are free NHS services that assess and treat young people under 18 (and up to 25 or in care systems for some specific pathways) experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties.
What Treatments CAMHS Offers
CAMHS utilizes multidisciplinary teams—including psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, and social workers—to provide:
Talking therapies: Counseling and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), done individually or in groups
Family therapy: Systemic therapy that looks at relationships within the family or support system
Creative therapies: Art and play-based therapies to express difficult emotions
Medication: Prescribed and monitored by medical professionals when appropriate
Crisis support: Urgent, short-term community or home intervention for acute safety concerns
School anxiety
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/school-anxiety-and-refusal/
Potty Training
Potty training support is available through official resources like the NHS Potty Training Guide, which outlines clear steps to help your child transition out of nappies.
Key Steps and Guidance
Preparation: Introduce the potty early once your child can sit independently (around 6 to 9 months) to build familiarity.
Timing: Guidance from the Department for Education suggests stopping daytime nappies between 18 and 30 months for optimal bladder and bowel health.
Routine: Encourage sitting on the potty after waking up, after meals, or before leaving the house.
How to find and register with a GP
To see a GP, you need to be registered with a local GP practice (also called a GP surgery). Registering is usually quick and free, and you can do it by calling, emailing or visiting the practice. To find a GP near you, use this tool:
England: NHS Find a GP
How to find an NHS dentist
You can contact any NHS dentist and ask for an appointment if you have symptoms or need a routine check-up.
Some dental practices offer both NHS and private appointments.
Dentist located in Blacon:
Johnson and Whitehouse Dentist
Address: 80 Western Ave, Blacon, Chester CH1 5PP
Phone: 01244 390175
Young Carers
At the Arches, we work closely with Cheshire Young Carers to ensure our Young Carers are getting the support they need.
https://www.cheshireyoungcarers.org/
Cheshire Young Carers supports young carers aged 6 to 18 through a range of activities and services. This includes school holiday respite programmes, individual and group support when needed, and working closely with schools and colleges to provide specialised help.
The service aims to:
support young carers with their emotional health and wellbeing
develop young carers to be better equipped with the life skills and resilience they need
give young carers a strong voice to be heard
support young carers with their education, career choices or aspirations
help young carers care for themselves and show them ways or places they can go to do this.
We also have a page on our website for Young Carers.
