Emotional Health Support for Children and Young People

Who supports children and young people in South Tees?

As part of the HeadStart programme we provide:

  • Training for school staff, parents/carers and other professionals so they can better support emotional health and recognise when someone needs help.

  • A resilience-building approach in schools (this means helping you, your friends and your classmates to develop skills such as problem-solving, self-confidence, managing change).

  • A peer-ambassador scheme (called “HeadStarters”) where young people become champions for emotional health, supporting others and helping to shape what’s offered.

  • Resources, information and one-point-of-contact support for families and young people, to make it easier to find help when you need it.

Headstart

School children wearing in-school uniform and blue reflective safety vests, facing away from camera, standing near a school entrance gate with a welcome sign that reads "Welcome" and has a logo and cartoon children, on a partly cloudy day.

The Headstart offer

We believe every child and young person in South Tees deserves support to build good emotional health. That’s why we run HeadStart South Tees - a programme to help you feel more confident, resilient (able to cope when things get tough), and able to enjoy learning and life. We work in schools, at home, in the community and online so that support is available wherever you are.

We provide early help so that common mental health problems (when feelings such as worry, sadness or stress become difficult to manage) are less likely to start.

We also work with families, carers and professionals so that everyone has the right tools to support wellbeing.

To find out more or get support from our Headstart team, visit the Headstart website.

Group of school children holding a banner outside a school building, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.

Emotional health is just as important as physical health. When you feel supported, you can learn better, form positive friendships, cope with change and enjoy life more.

By working early and across different places (school, home, community), we help prevent small worries from becoming bigger problems. This means fewer young people will need more serious help later.

We also believe that when young people, families, schools and professionals work together, the support is stronger, more meaningful and lasts longer.

Why does this matter?

How to get involved

If you’re a young person: you might hear about HeadStarters in your school or find out about groups or activities.

If you’re a parent or carer: you’ll find resources and information on our website, and one-point-of-contact support if you’re worried about your child’s emotional health.

If you’re a school or professional: contact the HeadStart team to talk about training, how to embed the resilience approach in your setting, or how to work together locally.

To find out more or get support from our Headstart team, visit the Headstart website.

Group of children and adults posing for a photo in a conference room, with a large crest on the wall behind them and a banner reading "Happiness is Here".
Group of children playing on a playground structure with a sloped wooden bridge and tunnel, surrounded by trees and houses, wearing bright safety vests.

Reading for Wellbeing Service - South Tees

Are you a parent or carer of a baby?

Would you like to learn how reading together can help your baby’s development – and support your own wellbeing too?

We offer free and friendly one-to-one reading sessions designed just for you and your baby.

You do not need to be confident with reading – or even enjoy it yet. These sessions are for everyone.

We will show you how sharing stories can:

  • help you feel closer to your baby

  • spark your baby’s imagination

  • make learning easier as they grow

  • help you feel calmer, more relaxed and connected

It is a relaxed and supportive space where you can discover what works best for you and your baby.

If you would like to give it a try or find out more, get in touch with our South Tees Community Reading Coach, Linda Johnstone.

Call Linda today - 07518 294525

Or email - linda_johnstone@middlesbrough.gov.uk

A young child sitting on a woman's lap in a classroom, with a female teacher showing a pink book to the child. There are toys on the floor and a colorful bulletin board in the background.