A Partnership for Positive Change
Barnardo’s ‘Let’s Connect Service’ supports the emotional wellbeing and mental health of whole school communities. It offers a range of workshops and programmes, including the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). The Humber Violence Prevention Partnership (Humber VPP) worked with and commissioned Barnardo’s to implement WRAP in schools across the Humber area. WRAP is an evidence-based group model that has proven effective in improving young people's wellbeing.
Paula Dawson, Children’s Service Manager at Barnardo’s Let’s Connect Service said, “We are incredibly proud of our work within education settings across the Humber region. The impact has been outstanding and reflects systems change and sustainability at a time when it couldn’t be needed more.
Over the past year, two thirds of Barnardo’s Let’s Connect work in education settings stems from our contract and collaboration with the Humber VPP. Flexibility within the initial contract supported a ‘test and learn’ approach which facilitated change and adaptation in response to individual need of individual schools. We’ve developed and embedded a social skills, resilience and wellbeing model tested to support the needs of all school community members.
The initial ask to support social skills of children and young people in schools resulted in an extended offer that has supported senior leaders in schools to audit and action plan a whole school approach to supporting wellbeing of everyone in their school setting, as well as enabling Barnardo’s staff to up-skill education staff to deliver wellbeing and mental health support directly to pupils, staff, parents and carers.”
The Power of WRAP
Social skills training supports children to think before they act, understand other people’s perspectives, communicate effectively and use strategies for managing aggression. Research suggests that children who develop social skills and self-control are less likely to become involved in crime and violence.
Lenny is a 15-year-old who attends an alternative provision setting for support with social, emotional and mental health needs. He was invited to join a WRAP group due to struggling with feelings of anger which often led to him getting in fights. After attending WRAP sessions, Lenny’s concentration and ability to self-regulate improved. He became more aware of his communication style with his peers and made friends within the group.
School staff observed changes in Lenny as he started to voice his needs. They noticed that he would remove himself from situations he found difficult and chose to talk to a supportive adult in school. His school attendance improved and he took on the role of a WRAP advocate, encouraging other young people to take part in the programme.
Lenny said, “I enjoyed the group. I think it has helped […] I am less angry and can now manage [my feelings] better before things blow up.”
Wishing Barnardo's Success
The Humber VPP is thrilled to see Barnardo’s recognised for their commitment to supporting young people's mental health. We wish them the very best of luck for the awards ceremony!
More Information
Are you interested in learning about our other projects? Please visit our Current Projects page or email humbervpp@humberside.police.uk
