Why HEST?
Following consultation with a number of students, young people and staff, the Havering Mental Health Support Team is now known as Havering Emotional Support Team (HEST).
In Havering, we will be known as HEST, but we are stil a part of the national Mental Health Support Team (MHST) programme.
You will see our new name on future publications.
Havering Emotional Support Team (HEST)
Havering Emotional Support Team is a new collaborative service which is designed to help meet the emotional wellbeing needs of children and young people in education settings. This support is aimed at children and young people who may be experiencing mild to moderate emotional wellbeing concerns. We provide additional support working alongside other professionals who are already based in and around schools and colleges as part of the Whole School Approach.
Currently, HEST is available in 12 project schools across the borough, which includes both primary and secondary schools, with the aim of branching out in more schools and colleges in the future.
Support we can provide to primary schools
In primary schools, we provide one-to-one support directly to parents whose children may be experiencing mild to moderate difficulties with behaviour and/or worries. We also offer psychoeducation workshops directly to pupils to help raise awareness of wellbeing. These workshops can be delivered via assemblies or in the classroom. Our service also offers targeted groups for which a small group of students are identified to attend between six and nine weekly sessions. These provide children with practical strategies on a particular topic, for example, building self-esteem and confidence.
We are also able to provide psychoeducation support workshops to staff in relation to their own emotional wellbeing, as well as pupils'.
Support we can provide to secondary schools
In secondary schools, we provide one-to-one support directly to students who may be experiencing mild to moderate difficulties with anxiety or low mood. We also offer psychoeducation workshops (learning more about emotional wellbeing) to students to help raise awareness of wellbeing. These workshops take place either for a whole class in the classroom, or via assemblies for a whole school year group.
Our service also offers targeted groups, for which a small group of students are identified to attend between six and nine weekly sessions. These provide children with practical strategies on a particular topic, for example, building early intervention to help prevent low mood escalating into depression.
We are also able to provide psychoeducation support workshops to staff in relation to their own emotional wellbeing as well as pupils'.
Who is in the team?
The team consists of Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs), who are trained in Low Intensity support, based on techniques drawn from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Senior Mental Health Practitioners (SMHPs), Senior Clinical Supervisors, as well as a Service Manager.
Between us, we have a wealth of experience in supporting children and young people with their emotional wellbeing.
Referrals
Havering Emotional Support Team (HEST) works closely with designated School Links in each of the 12 project schools. Access to this service can only be made via the School Link.
If your child attends one of the project schools, then you can speak with the School Link about referral to our service.