Therapeutic Wellbeing
We are committed to ensuring the wellbeing of all of our pupils. Health and wellbeing programmes in schools lead to significant improvements in children's mental health, academic success and social and emotional skills.
Therapy and Wellbeing
At BTA Midfield, we recognise that children need to feel safe, understood and supported in order to thrive and reach their full potential.
Supporting children’s social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) is an important part of school life. We recognise that wellbeing is closely connected to learning, relationships, communication and a child’s ability to engage positively with school.
Our Therapy and Wellbeing Service provides additional therapeutic support for children who may benefit from having dedicated time and space to explore their feelings, develop their emotional wellbeing and build positive relationships.
Our therapeutic provision works alongside the wider support offered by the school, including the work of teachers, support staff and other professionals. We take a child-centred approach, recognising that every child is different and may communicate and express themselves in different ways.
Our therapist
We are fortunate to have a HCPC-registered Music Therapist as part of our school community. Our therapist leads the therapeutic provision and works closely with school staff to identify children who may benefit from individual or group therapeutic support.
The therapist uses their professional knowledge and experience to help each child find ways of engaging that feel safe, accessible and meaningful to them. This may involve music, play, creativity, conversation and other interactive activities.
Therapy can provide children with an opportunity to express feelings and experiences, develop their communication and emotional regulation skills, strengthen relationships and explore difficult experiences at their own pace.
Accessing therapy
Children who are identified as likely to benefit from ongoing therapeutic support may be offered weekly individual or group therapy sessions. The therapy caseload is reviewed regularly to ensure that support continues to reflect the needs of the children and the wider school community.
Alongside regular therapy, children who are not currently receiving weekly sessions can access occasional wellbeing drop-in sessions. These may be requested by a member of staff or, where appropriate, by the child themselves.
Drop-in sessions provide a safe, supportive space for a child who may be having a particularly difficult day, needs some time to regulate, or would benefit from expressing themselves through conversation, music or creative activity.
Therapy and wellbeing support is provided in a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment. Information shared in sessions is treated respectfully and confidentially within the therapist's professional and safeguarding responsibilities.
For more information about our Therapy and Wellbeing Service, please contact our therapist, Kate Brooks: kate.brooks@bromleytrust.lseat.org.uk
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is a form of therapy that uses music and creative interaction to support a child’s emotional wellbeing, communication, relationships and development.
Music can offer children a different way to communicate and express themselves, particularly when finding the right words feels difficult. No previous musical experience or ability is needed.
In sessions, the therapist may use instruments, singing, rhythm, improvisation, songwriting, movement, play and other creative activities. Sessions can include both structured activities and child-led exploration, depending on what is most appropriate for the individual child.
Music Therapy can support children to:
- express and explore their thoughts and feelings
- develop communication and listening skills
- build confidence and self-esteem
- develop emotional awareness and regulation
- explore relationships and social interaction
- develop attention, concentration and turn-taking
- experience positive and meaningful interactions with an adult
- find safe and creative ways of communicating difficult experiences.
Every child is different, so the therapist adapts sessions to the child’s individual needs, interests and stage of development. Sessions are supportive, non-judgemental and take place in a safe space where children can explore and express themselves at their own pace.
More information on therapeutic wellbeing:
