www.cwmt.org.uk working with schools: how can we best use our time? dr pooky knightsmith

www.cwmt.org.uk

Working with Schools:How can we best

use our time?

Dr Pooky Knightsmith

www.cwmt.org.uk

• PhD with eating disorders unit at IOP (prof Janet Treasure) focused on school’s role in ED support & management

• Focus on practical (real life!) strategies

• Constant consultation with CYP, their parents and the staff who work with them

www.cwmt.org.uk

3 Priorities to consider

Policies and

procedures

Up-skilling staff and students

Supporting

individuals

1 2 3

But First

CAMHS?

MoanGrumble

Moan Sigh

Grumble

Schools?

MoanGrumble

Moan Sigh

Grumble

www.cwmt.org.uk

Improving the working relationship

between CAMHS and

schools may be the

most impactful thing you can do…

We’d lost sight of how to work

together. Once we made a fresh

start, we realised what a formidable team we could be.

www.cwmt.org.uk

Good Relationship

Defined roles

Clear boundaries

Celebrate the positives

Reflect and be ready to learn

www.cwmt.org.uk

Policies and

procedures

Up-skilling staff and students

Supporting

individuals

1 2 3

www.cwmt.org.uk

School policies are written by the senior leadership team and

governors

Each school writes their own

Many schools don’t have clear ED policies and procedures because they

don’t know where to start

www.cwmt.org.uk

Write a model policy and

procedures that can be adapted and adopted by

local schools and colleges

Work with a school

Make it practical

Clear referral paths

Include local info

Name relevant people

Make it work

www.cwmt.org.uk

www.cwmt.org.uk

Policies and

procedures

Up-skilling staff and students

Supporting

individuals

1 2 3

www.cwmt.org.uk

All

Sta

ffBasic understanding of EDs

Early warning signs

How to support

School policy & procedure

www.cwmt.org.uk

Past

ora

l Sta

ff When and how to refer

Working with CAMHs

One to one support

Realistic expectations

www.cwmt.org.uk

Working with Students

General informatio

n

mythbusting

Help seeking

Healthy coping

Supporting friends

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Develop and deliver workshops for local schools and colleges and

their students

Work together

Surveyneed

Include CYP

voice

Be realistic

re timings

Share online to increase

reachMake it work

www.cwmt.org.uk

We wanted to create an environment where eating disorders weren’t taboo.

Where students could confidently raise concerns

about themselves or a friend and where staff knew how to respond appropriately if they

did.

www.cwmt.org.uk

Policies and

procedures

Up-skilling staff and students

Supporting

individuals

1 2 3

www.cwmt.org.uk

Supporting

individuals

3Below threshold

Outpatient

InpatientReturn to

school

www.cwmt.org.uk

Below thresholdbooks websitesforums

local services

develop one to

one skills

Out

pati

ent How can the school support

between sessions?

What information is helpful to share?

What are the best methods of communication?

When a pupil goes into inpatient care they often just disappear. We want

to know how to help. What to tell friends,

whether to send messages or work? We feel lost and just need

some guidance.

In p

ati

ent

www.cwmt.org.uk

Policies & procedures

Staff training & support

Phased return – at what pace?

Return to

School

Supporting mealtimes

Guidance re sport & PE

www.cwmt.org.uk

Out April 21st

Available for pre-order

“It’s really good”

(Pooky’s Mum)

I didn’t say thank you. I didn’t know how. I don’t think she knew that she

maybe saved me. Pooky… please can you make sure

that all the wonderful people you work with

know how special they are? A

nd

Fin

ally

Further Sources of Support

www.b-eat.co.uk

www.cwmt.org.uk

studentsagainstdepression.or

g

www.mind.org.uk

www.childline.org.uk

Me! www.inourhands.com pooky@inourhands.com - 07590 446 791

You’re welcome to call or email any time you

need support.

Need more support?

For details of CWMT funded sessions visitwww.inourhands.com/CWMT

Dr Pooky Knightsmith specialises in mental health and emotional well-being in the school setting. She can provide training sessions or workshops for school staff, parents or students on a variety of topics, including self-harm, anxiety, body image and eating disorders.

For further information and free resources visit www.inourhands.com

Email: pooky@inourhands.com Twitter: @PookyH LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pooky

www.cwmt.org.uk

Thank you to CWMT!

• Charlie Waller Memorial Trust• Provide materials and information about

depression• Deliver training and talks for young adults

and young people and those who work with them

• Sponsor research and teaching about evidence based therapies at the Charlie Waller Institute at the University of Reading