At times families and carers struggle to find the help they need so I have put together this page that you may find useful. If there is something that you are looking for that is not on this page, please contact me and I will try to help.
Maggie Farrell DSL
New Ways to Raise Concerns at School
Pupils:
We are introducing a quick and easy way for pupils to raise any concerns if something is worrying them. Around the school, you will see posters with a special QR code that links directly to our secure concern-reporting form. Pupils can scan the code using their own device or, if they don’t have a phone, they can use a school iPad—so no one will miss out. Once a form is completed, staff are immediately alerted, and a member of the school team will speak to the pupil as soon as possible to offer support.
Visitors:
In addition, we have launched a separate QR code for visitors, transport drivers, and guides to report any safeguarding concerns. This code sends information straight to our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) for immediate attention.
Both QR codes are clearly displayed on posters at the front of the school and are also accessible via our school website, ensuring everyone knows how to raise concerns quickly and confidentially.
SOLAR
SOLAR in Solihull refers to the Solihull Life Opportunities for All to Recover (SOLAR) service, which provides mental health and emotional well-being support for children and young people in
Solihull. It is a partnership between Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Barnardo’s, and Autism West Midlands.
Services Offered by SOLAR:
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – Support for young people experiencing mental health difficulties.
- Counselling and Therapy – Including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and talking therapies.
- Support for Neurodiverse Children – Assistance for children with autism and ADHD.
- Crisis Support – Help for young people in urgent mental health distress.
- Parental and Family Support – Guidance and resources for families supporting children with emotional well-being concerns.
SOLAR aims to offer early intervention and specialist mental health services to improve well-being and ensure young people receive the right support at the right time.
About forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB) – Mental Health Service
Welcome to Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB). We re unique, innovative community and inpatient mental health partnership. We, alongside our partners offer care pathways of mental health assessment and treatment for young people from 0-25-year-old.
Forward Thinking Birmingham is part of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, and it is the type of service to be set up in this way, so it is the first of its kind nationally and internationally.
At Forward Thinking Birmingham, we work as a partnership bringing together the expertise and commitment of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (the lead provider), the Priory Group, providing our inpatient beds, the Children’s Society who provide our “Drop in” service called Pause.
Our Team works closely with a range of other NHS organisations across the region and our much-valued partners in the voluntary sector who come with a mixture of different skills and ways of working that support our partnership to be diverse, inclusive and personalised.
At Forward Thinking Birmingham we work with children, young people and young adults who are struggling with in their mental health, we aim to involve families/guardians and carers in their care and treatment wherever possible.
Worried about a child
If you are worried about the safety or welfare of a child, you can always come into school and ask to speak to a DSL.
Alternatively, you can call one of the numbers below:
Solihull Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Working Hours Telephone – 0121 788 4333
Out of Hours Telephone – 0121 605 5050
Birmingham Children’s Advice and Support Service (CASS)
Telephone – 0121 303 1888
Out of Hours Telephone – 0121 675 4806
North Warwickshire Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Working Hours Telephone – 01926 141 144
Out of Hours Telephone – 01926 886 922
Useful numbers:
Family Information Service- 0800-389-8667 or 0121-704-6008
Crisis Hotline Homeless- 0121-348-7950 or 0121-717-1515
Crisis Hotline Personal- 0121-507-0707
Citizen’s Advice Line- 0300-330-9019
Solihull Library- 0121-788-4380
Women’s Aid- 0808-800-0028/ 07891492327
Solihull Mental Health out of hours- 0121-301-0000
Solihull Housing- 0121-717-1515
Health Visitors- 0121 726 6755 or 0121 726 6756
National Domestic Violence Helpline – 24hour free phone- 0808 2000 247
Solar- 0121-301-2750
Solihull Admissions- 0121-704-6693
Solihull MIND- 0121-742-4941
SEND Team- 0121-704-6690
Debt Advice- 0121-717-1515
School Nurse Team- 0121 726 6754
Useful websites
Alcohol, Drugs and Gambling Support – https://aquarius.org.uk/
Debt and Money Advice – https://www.solihullcommunityhousing.org.uk/tenants/money-advice/
Solihull Housing – https://www.solihullcommunityhousing.org.uk/
Citizens Advice – http://www.casb.org.uk/
Forward Thinking Birmingham – https://forwardthinkingbirmingham.nhs.uk/
Women’s Aid – https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
Solar (mental health support) – https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/solar/
Solihull Mind – http://www.solihullmind.org.uk/
School nurses – https://www.swft.nhs.uk/our-services/children-and-young-peoples-services/school-nursing-solihull
Solihull Crisis Team – https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/service-users-and-carers/how-to-get-urgent-mental-health-help/
Mental Health Support Team Signposting to a range of services – Autism, Bereavment, Substance Misuse, Mental Health and a wide range of Local and National services
Solihull School Nursing Service
Hello from Solihull School Nursing Service. The Solihull School Nursing Service is available to all children and young people, between 5-19 years who attend mainstream schools, colleges and VI forms. We also work with some alternative provision’s settings and electively home educated children, within the Borough of Solihull. Every School and educational setting/provision under the care of the Solihull School Nursing Service has a named nurse from the Solihull School Nursing Service. The Solihull School Nursing Team support school aged children, young people and their families to improve their overall health and wellbeing. The Solihull School Nursing Team consists of Specialist Community Public Health Nurses; (these are registered nurses with additional specialist training in Public Health), Registered Nurses, School Nursing Assistants and administrative staff
Primary School Parent Line Details:
Parent/Carer Support:
The School Nursing Service accept referrals from parents/carers, for advice and support regarding their child, by contacting the team on 0121 726 6754.
School Nursing Service also has a Chat Health SMS Service for parents and carers, which is a Confidential Parent Texting Service, on 07480 635 496, available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
Secondary School Chat Health Details:
Chat Health SMS Service for Secondary School Young People:
Secondary School aged young people can access Health for Teens, a Confidential Health Advice and Support Text Messaging Service to School Nursing on 07520 615730 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
Kids website (age 4yrs - 11yrs)
Teens website (age 11yrs - 19yrs)
New 24/7 Mental Health Text Service For Birmingham And Solihull (ATT)
Shout is a free, all-age, confidential service that operates 24/7. For support, text Space to 85258 to start a conversation with a mental health professional.