Therapy
...therapeutic approach which permeates everything...
Therapy at West Heath plays a major part in the social, emotional, mental health, behavioural and physical wellbeing of our students. Whilst not officially designated as a “therapeutic school”, our whole approach is underpinned by a ‘soft’ therapeutic approach which permeates everything from our curriculum to our behaviour management.
Whilst many of our students have a specified therapeutic requirement on their Education, Health and Care Plans, most of our students will access our therapeutic department at some time or other during their time with us, whether it be for help with emotional regulation, a reduction in stress, anger, or anxiety, a readjustment of maladjusted thinking patterns, to provide practical problem-solving, help with social skills, difficulties with sensory issues, or just a safe place to off-load. Although numbers obviously vary from year to year, currently over 80% of our students are receiving therapeutic support of one kind or another, and a large percentage are receiving more than one.
In addition to Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy, we currently offer the following: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Counselling, Mood Management Therapy, Play Therapy, Integrative Child Psychotherapy, Lego Therapy, Dungeons and Dragons, Complementary Therapy, and Psychological Services (including assessments). Our School Nurse is also an integral part of our therapy team administering to our students’ physical needs on a daily basis. In addition to working with our students, our therapists deliver staff training, and provide advice, guidance, and support to the whole school including our residential provision.
