Emotional wellbeing of children and young people aged 8 to 11 years old
Download (PDF 470.97 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Bexley conducted a survey into the emotional health and wellbeing of children aged 8 – 11 years old, in October 2017. This work was done following a number of changes to national education policies, in order to review how this affects young people’s mental health and wellbeing at local level.
The report identifies a number of key issues: school and exam pressures are commonly experienced amongst primary school aged children and are particularly noticeable in Year 5 pupils, who are preparing for the selection tests. A high proportion of the children across Key Stage 2 also reported having trouble sleeping. The majority stated they have one good friend or more and three quarters of children take part in after school activities. The results demonstrate the importance to identify the emotional needs of pupils and to target interventions at an early age, to prevent issues from escalating into secondary school and adolescent.
The report makes the following recommendations:
Recommendations for schools:
1. Implement strategies and interventions for peer support within the school setting, as this was identified by young people as a coping strategy when experiencing emotional distress.
2. Appoint a member of staff responsible for emotional wellbeing activities within the school setting.
3. Schools to take appropriate action to identify young carers within their community and ensure appropriate support is in place, as there was a high proportion of self-reported young carers in the 11-19 year old survey.
4. Ensure young people know where and how to access help and support when in need, recognising that this may need to be repeated throughout the school year as young people’s emotional wellbeing fluctuates.
5. Promote external mental health services available for children and young people in Bexley.
6. Provide mental first aid training for key staff.
Recommendations for commissioners:
1. The extent to which children in this survey have expressed trouble sleeping and experiencing school pressures at such a young age warrants further exploration through additional engagement work.
2. Ensure emotional wellbeing of young people remain a priority in Bexley.