Balanced Schools for Students
Resources and Training
Our resources and training are designed to:
- provide instantly accessible solutions to common student issues
- empower students to manage their own emotions and challenges
- allow staff to work in a more proactive manner
- allow settings to run low-cost, effective mental wellbeing interventions
- provide staff with tools for supporting students at difficult times
We provide staff with the knowledge, confidence and tools to improve student mental health and outcomes. There is no psychoanalysis involved. It’s about changing conversations, to change thoughts, to change behaviours, and in turn, change outcomes.
All resource packages are delivered electronically and come with a 12-month license for unlimited setting use of all resources.
Our resources are being successfully used in schools nationwide; from PRU’s to prestigious independent schools. Teachers, SEN specialists, Pastoral and other support staff are all using the programmes to help students manage their emotional difficulties.
Samantha Garner is an ex-SENCo and qualified mental health professional who has been providing mental health support and CBT based interventions for over 15 years.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most evidenced and effective forms of therapy used worldwide and is recommended for use with young people by the NHS and the DfE. Studies also show that with any therapeutic support, the relationship with the “therapist” is one of the most important factors. The positive relationship between school staff and student already exists. These two elements explain why our CBT resources are so effective.
Resources available:
- Pastoral Handbooks – a range of worksheets and activities to help staff working pastorally with students.
- SEN Handbook – a range of worksheets and activities specifically targeted at students with ADHD, ASC, conduct issues, Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties.
- Intervention Programmes – Programmes to target one specific issue e.g. behaviour, low attendance.
- Training – CPD Accredited training to use CBT based resources, be it ours of other peoples, and work with SEN students.
FAQ's
Do you deliver Interventions?
No. Our products and training are designed to empower staff to use CBT based resources in educational settings.
Can any member of staff use it?
Yes, our resources are prescriptive – basically guided conversations. We find that Pastoral Staff, Heads of Year, Teaching Assistants and SEN staff are the most common staff facilitators.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
CBT is a combination of Cognitive and Behavioural psychological approaches. For example; Anxiety becomes overwhelming when we become trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts. By breaking down our negative thoughts/beliefs/perceptions, we can change how we feel. This in turn changes how we behave. The CBT process teaches tools and techniques that can be used to manage our negative thought patterns. These techniques can be used throughout our lives.
Why use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
Department of Health:
“CBT effectively reduces symptoms of panic and anxiety. Behaviour therapy and cognitive therapy both appear effective in treatment of obsessional problems.”
www.londoncognitivebehaviouralpsychotherapy.co.uk/downloads/treatment-choice-brief-version.pdf
Recommended by National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE)
Routinely offered by NHS for depression & axniety.
“Research has shown cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be as effective as medication in treating some mental health problems”
“The highly structured nature of CBT means it can be provided in different formats, including in groups…”
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cognitive-behavioural-therapy/Pages/Advantages.aspx
Recommended by Department of Education (DfE) for use in schools.
Evidence it is successful for children from 6 years of age and up:
“Cognitive Behavioural Therapy appears an effective treatment for childhood and adolescent anxiety disorders in comparison to waiting list or attention control. there was no evidence for a difference between an individual, group or parental/family format”
www.capella.co.nz/sites/friendsforlife.org.nz/files/CD004690.pdf
Will it work for everyone?
CBT doesn’t work for everyone, no. CBT is said to “work for most of the people, most of the time”. However, students may have deeper issues that need further support, or they may be resistant to change.
Are there any side-effects?
One of the many benefits of CBT is that side-effects are rare. If a student doesn’t want to engage, they just won’t engage. There has been no psychoanalysis involved. We look at moving forward from where they are, not analysing the past.
Is it suitable for any school?
The programmes are designed for ALL students and is being delivered in all types of schools from Independent schools to PRU’s. Training is suitable for teaching and support staff.
Are there any repeat or ongoing costs?
No. Subject to the user license, our resources can be used again and again, without any additional cost.
Testimonials
“This (Pastoral Handbook) is one of the best resources I’ve come across in my career. So useful for scaffolding a conversation and for planned intervention. Often the best tools we have are high quality resources utilised by those people that know a young person well. Relationships are key.”
“We have seen an excellent improvement in the behaviour of boys we have been using the Changing Patterns Behaviour programme with. It makes them think and change behaviours rather than continually repeat the same patterns.”
“All our learners all engaged with this positively and almost all completed the course. Come exam time, we were able to have one exam group with one invigilator and one staff member from our school support team. They all sat their exams in our building…
We think this was a great investment; all our learners completed their exams with less stress and anxiety, and as a provision we saved over £3000 in exam costs!”