At SuMS, we believe that our students’ wellbeing is key to their academic and wider success. Nurturing pastoral care, guidance and support are integral to our school's culture. We want our students to enjoy coming to school, love the challenge of learning and participate fully in school life.
The wellbeing of every member of our community is stitched into everything we do. Our students are divided into houses and tutor groups, with each student having a tutor who meets them fortnightly on an individual basis to act as a mentor and guide.
Through these regular meetings, tutors get to know their tutees very well and support them through the many stages of their time at SuMS, from the induction process to the final leaving celebrations.
We recognise and champion the importance of good mental health and emotional wellbeing. Our students are encouraged to talk to whoever they feel most comfortable with, whether that be their tutor or another member of staff.
We also have a confidential in-school counselling service, and a proactive package of mental health and wellbeing awareness, information and support. These are delivered through Personal Development lessons, our assembly and tutorial programme, special events and talks.
Useful Links
Safeguarding
Support for Students
The wellbeing of our students is of the utmost importance.
We aim to promote positive mental health for every member of our school community, alongside physical health. This page is designed to ensure that our students are aware of sources of support in the local community: what support is available, who it is aimed at and how to access it. For sources of support within the school, see our safeguarding page.
Mental health support
Surrey and Borders Partnership - 24/7 mental health crisis helpline
Healthy Surrey - support for young people's emotional wellbeing and mental health
Kooth – an online mental wellbeing community in which young people can access free, safe and anonymous support.
Beat charity support lines and services – a charity supporting people with eating disorders.
The Mix - Support and advice for under 25s, including a helpline, crisis messenger service and webchat. Call 0808 808 4994 to talk.
Childline - Get help and advice about a wide range of issues. You can call this charity on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
Shout – Shout 85258 is the UK's first free, confidential, 24/7 text support service. It's a place to go if you're struggling to cope and need mental health support. Text SHOUT to 85258.
Samaritans – this charity works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Call 116 123 to talk.
Papyrus – Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. They are open 9am–midnight every day.
YoungMinds - Committed to improving the mental health of babies, children and young people. 85258 is the number for their crisis messenger service, text YM (Young Person).
NSPCC - The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is a British child protection charity which has dedicated helplines to report abuse. You can find out more here.
Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time.
On My Mind, a free digital resource, aims to empower young people to make informed choices about their mental health & wellbeing. It contains information, advice and resources to help them support their own mental health, including signposting to sources of support in times of crisis.
Scroll further down below for additional sources of support for specific issues including general wellbeing, race and ethnicity, anti-bullying, bereavement, crime, domestic violence, drugs and alcohol, gaming and gambling, LGTBQ+, neurodiversity, online safety, and sexual abuse.
General wellbeing
Action for Happiness is a global movement and charity which aims to increase happiness by bringing together people and supporting them to take practical action to build a happier society.
Tips for improving your general wellbeing - This web page explains what mental wellbeing means, and gives tips to help you take care of your mental wellbeing.
Race and ethnicity
Children & Families – Race Equality Foundation The Race Equality Foundation works on safeguarding, adoption and family support through its projects, briefings and programmes, including their flagship evidence-based Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) programme.
Muslim Youth Helpline offers non-judgemental, confidential support 7 days a week, 365 days a year including bank holidays and Eid. Call their helpline 7 days a week (4pm-10pm) on 0808 808 2008.
Anti-bullying
The anti-bullying alliance - a unique coalition of organisations and individuals, working together to achieve their vision to stop bullying and create safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn.
Bereavement
Hope Again - Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Support. It has been created for young people, by young people. They want to break the isolation that grief brings, by providing a space for young people to explore their grief and feel less alone.
Open to Hope - a charity which aims to give a voice to grief. Their mission is to help people find hope after loss. They invite people to read, listen and share their stories of hope and compassion.
Winston's Wish - A charity supporting children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling.
Crime (including sexual harassment and sexual assaults)
British Transport Police Report a Crime - If you’ve witnessed or been the victim of a crime whether at home or outside or travelling please report it to the BTP. This includes sexual harassment and sexual assaults. Reports are dealt with by their control room in exactly the same way whether you report it online or call 101. Does it feel like the situation could get heated or violent very soon? Is someone in immediate danger? Do you need support right away? If so, please call 999 now.
Domestic violence
Mankind is a charity which helps male victims of domestic abuse. Please call 01823 334244 to speak to them confidentially.
Refuge supports women and children who experience all forms of violence and abuse including domestic violence, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour’-based violence, and human trafficking and modern slavery. They offer a Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247.
Drugs and alcohol
Talk to Frank - Honest information about drugs.
Drink Aware - Independent science-based facts and advice to help people make better choices about drinking.
National Institute on Drug Abuse - A source for science-based information on teen drug use and its effects.
NHS Stop Smoking - The NHS Quit Smoking app to help people to quit smoking.
Gaming and Gambling
BigDeal is a place for young people to find information and support related to gambling, either for themselves or for someone they care about.
YGAM is an educational charity which has an extensive directory containing information and links to organisations and charities that offer support and treatment for people with gambling, gaming, mental health or financial problems or concerns.
LGBTQ+
Gendered Intelligence is a charity that exists to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve trans people's quality of life.
Free2B is a London-based community organisation, supporting LGBTQ+ young people and their parents.
Relate offers counselling services for every type of relationship nationwide. We provide advice on marriage, LGBT issues, divorce and parenting.
The Proud Trust - Home of LGBT+ Youth is an LGBT+ organisation that supports LGBT+ young people through youth groups, peer support, mentoring programs and the Proud Connections chat service.
Stonewall is a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights charity. They provide information and support for LGBT communities and their allies. They run an Information Service which is on FREEPHONE 0800 0502020. Lines are open 9:30 - 4:30 Monday to Friday.
Neurodiversity
Mental health and autism The National Autistic Society is a British charity for people on the autism spectrum and their families. Since 1962, they have been providing support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people.
ADHD and mental health The Mind charity provides a helpful list of resources and charities specialising in this field.
The ADHD Foundation is a leading neurodiversity charity offering support for those who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Tourette’s syndrome.
Online safety
Childnet - Childnet works directly with children and young people from the ages of 3-18, as well as parents, carers, teachers and professionals, to help make the internet a safer place.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection command - Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (CEOP) is a law enforcement agency which helps keep children and young people safe from sexual abuse and grooming online. Children and young people can make a report directly to them if they are worried about online sexual abuse or something has happened online which has made someone feel unsafe, scared or worried. This might be from someone they know in real life, or someone they have only ever met online.
Thinkuknow - The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team aims to help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse. The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team aim to help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Barnados supports thousands of children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse. They make them safe and help them recover.
Childline offers free, confidential advice and support for children and young people. If you are a child and you need help, you can call their 24-hour support service on 0800 1111.
Sexual Health and Wellbeing
Brook is the only national charity to offer both clinical sexual health services, education and wellbeing services for young people, plus training and support.
Support for Parents and Carers
At SuMS we recognize the importance of the community around each and every young person.
We encourage parents and carers to have open and honest conversations with their young person about their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
In and around Guildford there are a range of different organisations that can offer you support should you need it:
NHS Surrey and Borders Partnership Mental Health - Provides mental health services for children, working-age adults, and older adults in Surrey and North East Hampshire. On this page you will find a list of all of their mental health services, arranged alphabetically.
Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership - Signposts a range of services & resources, including a suicide prevention toolbox.
Surrey County Council - Emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children and young people living in Surrey.
Healthy Surrey - Support for children and young people and their parents/carers for emotional wellbeing and mental health needs. Here you will find self-help resources, details on how to access more help if you need it and resources for parents and carers.
CYP Haven - A safe space for children and young people aged 10-18 where they can talk about worries and mental health in a confidential, friendly and supportive environment.
Mindworks Surrey - A children and young people's emotional wellbeing and mental health service.
Eikon - Work directly with children and young people themselves, and also with parents, carers and professionals to help support young people through every aspect of their lives.
The Surrey Wellbeing Partnership - A joint venture of local and national charities of various sizes with a common goal: to work with children and young people in the community to improve wellbeing and mental health so that they can live full, fun and confident lives.
The Matrix Trust - A Guildford-based charity providing a lifeline for vulnerable young people across Guildford Borough: dedicated to working with young people, helping them to improve their lives; and for young people, catalysing change by nurturing, inspiring, connecting and empowering them.
Grace Dear Trust - A mental health charity set up to help save the lives of young people suffering with mental health issues.
Mary Frances Trust - A Surrey-based organisation offering people experiencing any form of mental or emotional health issue a place where they are welcome and feel that they belong.Anyone over the age of 16 living in the Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Banstead, Elmbridge areas of Surrey and experiencing any form of mental or emotional health issues can access their free services.
For specific support, please look to the following resources:
Being Well - A charity dedicated to improving awareness and understanding of mental health within secondary school, sixth form and college environments.
YoungMinds - A mental health charity committed to improving the mental health of babies, children and young people, including support for parents and carers. This charity has a special support service for young people struggling to cope. They can text YM to 85258 for free, 24/7 support.
Young Mind's mental health guide for parents during exam time
Mind - This mental health charity's Infoline provides an information and signposting service. They are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays) - call 0300 123 3393.
Mind's useful information page for parents and carers
The Mix - Support and advice for under 25s, including a helpline, crisis messenger service and webchat. Their crisis messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. 85258 (crisis messenger service, text THEMIX). Their helpline is for people aged 25 who need help but don’t know where to turn. The number is free - 0808 808 4994. Their phones are open 7 days a week from 4pm to 11pm. People can also webchat to them 7 days a week from 4pm to 11pm.
Other services which you might find useful:
Advice to parents and carers on keeping children safe from abuse and harm - This government guidance brings together sources of information about the main risks children may be particularly vulnerable to and signposts you to help and support available. It also includes information on the support providers who can help you have effective conversations with a young person.
Parent Zone | At the heart of digital family life - A parenting organisation working to make the online world a safer, more positive place for families and children.
Turn2us – A national charity that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.
Working Families – A charity that helps working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work.
The Trussell Trust – Find a local food bank: Find a Food Bank - The Trussell Trust
Citizen’s Advice – An independent organisation specialising in confidential information and advice to assist people with legal, debt, consumer, housing and other problems.
UK Safety Internet Centre Parents and Carers Information - This page provides tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online.
Think U Know Advice for Parents and Carers on Internet Safety - Access information and resources for parents and carers on keeping your child safer online including conversation starters and video guides.
Guide for parents of trans children - Free2B Alliance is a London-based community organisation, supporting LGBTQ+ young people and their parents. They have created this guide with members of their monthly parent group. The guide is a basic introduction with links to more detailed information and further reading for those who feel ready.
