Place2Be

Olatokunbo Aralepo - School Project Manager

What difference does Place2Be make in your child’s school?

Place2Be is a national charity working in over 257 UK schools to improve the confidence and emotional wellbeing of children.

We help children to develop resilience by supporting them when they are experiencing challenging life issues and helping them to develop self-confidence and lifelong coping skills. When they are supported in this way, they are able to learn more easily and that means less worry for parents.

How we help children

All pupils can find help with friendship issues and other worries by choosing to visit Place2Talk.

These short lunchtime sessions are facilitated by the school project manager and are open to individuals and groups.

Place2Be can also offer children one-to-one counselling which is facilitated by a trained counsellor and supported by the school project manager. This is offered as a regular time-tabled support for those who will benefit most. The school will often refer children for this service.

How we help Parents and Carers

Place2Be also offers support and advice for parents and carers, as well as teachers and school staff.

We have a dedicated parent counsellor who works on site every Monday (08:30-16:30) and Wednesday (08:00-12.00), offering confidential, weekly support to parents and carers. Please do get in touch with our School Project Manager, to find out more.

Oh she has definitely changed…in the way she feels about her school life, her home life, and just the way she is in herself – she is a lot happier

Parent

Place2Be helps you feel less angry, make friends, get more confident, sort out your problems, make you feel special, make everything better.

Year 5 pupil

How we help schools

Place2Be also supports teachers and school staff members to think through the emotional needs of children and advises and supports the school leadership which helps the whole school to thrive.

How Place2Be works

There is a special Place2Be room inside the school where children can go to express and think about their worries, through talking, creative work and play.

Adults that are qualified to work therapeutically, called School Project Managers, support this process, helping children to find new ways of coping with difficulties so they don’t get in the way of friendships or learning.

Times when we’re especially useful

There are times when children feel particularly sad, confused, fearful or angry, due to, for example, family challenges such as separation or illness, or even the death of a much-loved pet.

Some children may become withdrawn; others may become demanding or challenging in their behaviour: that’s when having Place2Be in school is especially helpful.

Who is eligible for Place2Be?

Any child requiring emotional support for any reason.

Any questions?

You are welcome to talk to your Place2Be School Project Manager; either face-to-face or via telephone or email.

At Smallwood Primary School, our School Project Manager is on site every Monday, (08.30-16.30) and Wednesday (08:30-12.00). You can contact them via the school office or in the school playground in the morning.

To find out more about Place2Be, please visit our website: www.place2be.org.uk