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 Uffculme School, we have a number of ways to help support our students.
Students can speak to their Tutor, Head of Year or Subject Teacher 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.
Pupil Secretary
Mrs Alford is available throughout the day. She plays a vital role in supporting many students at the school with a range of needs. This includes medical problems, anxiety and social issues. Mrs Alford is also well placed to offer advice about who may be the best member of staff to approach for any help or assistance that you might require.
Student Welfare Officers
Our Student Welfare Officers are based in school and are here to provide additional emotional support. For further information about this service, please contact your child’s Head of Year.
School Nurse
Parents and carers can make direct referrals via the School Nurse Hub:
E-mail - easternphnhub@devon.gov.uk
Phone - 0333 234 1903
Students can ask to see the school nurse via Mrs Alford, 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:
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
Tiverton Youth Centre
Tiverton youth centre offers a safe & supportive social space for young people. They offer fun and informative activities every session – and each week has a packed programme with challenges, cooking & crafts for our young people to participate in. Aside from all the fun, our youth workers offer group & 1-1 support, or advice on issues that affect young people; like relationships, alcohol and drug use, or support with peer pressure & general mental well-being.
For more information please visit: Tiverton — Space Youth Services
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
Living Life to the Full for Young People
Free online course covering low mood, stress and resilience especially for young people. Work out why you feel as you do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm, tackle upsetting thinking and more. Use Code YPVC84475 to access for free
To access the site please go to LLTTF for Young People
Understanding your Brain (for teenagers only)
Find out what's happening in your brain! Your brain changes as you hit adolescence. See how the changes in your brain explain some of the changes in your behaviour.
Use the code TAMAR to access the course for free!
To access the site please go to Online Learning (Understanding you Brain)
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.
Self Help - online safety
The following websites, apps and courses are particularly useful sources of self help with issues relating to young people’s online safety
General advice and guidance
Reporting harmful content
Report Harmful Content – We Help You Remove Content
Reporting inappropriate images (nudes) and getting help to remove them
Report Remove: Remove a nude image shared online | Childline