Emotional health and wellbeing
What we do
At National Star we recognise that there are a range of issues outside education that can have an impact on a student’s life at college. Our Emotional Wellbeing team promotes emotional wellbeing and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), supporting students to get the most from their social, educational, and life skills programmes.
Our experienced team of psychology and behavioural support specialists adopt a holistic, person-centred approach, which embraces each individual’s psychological and physiological needs. We support them with issues that include:
- Homesickness
- Bereavement
- Coping with their disability
- Coping with change
- Relationships / social interaction
- Anxiety
- Low mood or depression
- Living with an acquired brain injury
- Issues arising from a life-limiting illness
- Anger management
- Preparing for life after college
- Behaviour that others find challenging
How we do it
From beginning to end, we carry out a full assessment of each student, with regular reviews along the way. Each member of the team works individually with students, offering a range of interventions – from one-to-one therapy to working alongside staff teams in the development of PBS plans and behaviour-focused strategies. We work closely with our medical team to do this. Students also have the opportunity to drop in to see a member of the team whenever they need to.
What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is a research-based approach, with the fundamental aim of increasing quality of life and consequently decreasing the frequency and / or intensity of behaviour that challenges. This is achieved proactively through the teaching of new skills, making changes to a person’s environment and supporting them in developing a valued social role.
The PBS approach interlinks with Team-Teach, which promotes the use of low-arousal de-escalation strategies, with the ultimate aim of reducing risk and the use of physical intervention, while developing and protecting positive working relationships.
Outside referrals
Where required, we can refer students to local support services outside National Star. To do this our Emotional Wellbeing team and medical staff liaise directly with GPs and other providers to ensure a joined-up approach to therapies and treatments.
