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RFHCS 'The Challenge Model' ACAMH Talk

About the evening

RFHCS has been running a specific programme to address the needs of a cohort of anxious and vulnerable children for the last 4 years - many of whom exhibit signs of emotionally based school refusal. Featured in the TES - this ‘challenge’ model includes three elements agreed by students, namely: co-operation, contribution and consideration (for self and others). There is an emphasis on the children taking responsibility with support from the adults, and an expectation that the student and the staff members are ‘holding the line together’.

The Headteacher does not believe in the school simply being a ‘safe haven’ but instead a supportive, safe place where the students are also expected to put in high levels of effort to develop and grow, ready for the next steps of their life. The aim is to increase students’ sense of belonging and the ethos is that ‘nobody gets left behind’ and each student’s emotional and academic development and progress is carefully monitored. This model has been highly successful in ensuring young people achieve in spite of any mental health challenges they have.

Alex Yates will outline the key elements of the programme and Dr Sarah Cryer will talk through her evaluation which used both qualitative and quantitative measures to gain the students’ views of the challenge model, across several months.

Key takeaways

• Learn about RFHCS ‘The Challenge Model’ that addresses the needs of a cohort of anxious and vulnerable

• Discover the evaluation methods and findings of ‘The Challenge Model’

• See what potential ‘The Challenge Model’ has to work in your environment

Who is it for

This twilight event would be beneficial to those who work in the education sector, including; educational psychologists, SENCOs, hospital school staff, teachers, and support staff.

Additionally those working in health setting, such as CAMHS professionals, paediatricians, occupational therapists, counsellors and clinicians, and those that work with children affected with mental health issues will find the event beneficial to improve and update their knowledge.