CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH IN A SALFORD SCHOOL IS THRIVING THANKS TO AWARD-WINNING OFFICER

A Salford school officer has won a prestigious national award for her inspiring support for wellbeing in a school community and championing positive mental health.

Tracey Redgrave, Children and Families Officer at Lewis Street Primary School, has won the Adult Champion category at Place2Be's Wellbeing in Schools Awards this month. Place2Be is a mental health charity for children and young people, providing services in schools.

Tracey received the award at a special ceremony at BAFTA in London on Monday 13 June, celebrating the children, young people and adults who go above and beyond to support mental health in their schools. She works closely with Place2Be, encourages positive family involvement in the child's learning, providing support when needed. 

Tracey said: 

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"I feel completely humbled. I can't believe I've won and what a fantastic reflection on our school and Salford. It really was a very special day for me and my family, for Wendy McCormack my Executive Headteacher and all the school community, I am still in shock!"

Tracey looks after a wide range of aspects of care and support for children at the school. She is the lead for safeguarding and child protection and mental health across the school. As a member of the Partnership Pastoral Team across three schools, she is involved in the anti-bullying strategy as well as provision of therapies for children and young people with special educational needs and vulnerable children and their families.

Wendy McCormack, Executive Headteacher at Christ Church CE; Lewis Street and Lark Hill Primary Schools Salford said:

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"Congratulations to Tracey! I am delighted that Tracey has won this award, and deservedly so. She is caring, compassionate and exceptionally diligent in all aspects of her work as a Children and Families Officer at Lewis Street Primary School and a valued member of our Partnership Pastoral Team."

Councillor Jim Cammell, Lead Member for Children's and Young People's Services, said:

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"It's excellent news that Tracey has received this award. She is very dedicated to supporting children. She is a great example of our vision in Salford to help all children and young people achieve their potential through a high-quality education that puts them on a path to future success. We want our city's children and young people to thrive, be happy, healthy and safe."

Tracey works with Salford City Council on various schemes including Emotionally Friendly Schools and Thrive in Education (TIE). TIE is the council's mental health support team to children, young people and schools in the city. Salford was one of the four trailblazer sites in Greater Manchester for implementing this national mental health in education programme.

It includes low intensity one to one support for children; consultation and advice for schools and access to training for senior mental health leads and other school staff, whole school support and school development and advice and support for parents. Salford's TIE team is a service delivered by three mental health providers  (Salford CAMHS, 42nd Street and Place 2 Be) and is supported by the council's Educational Psychology Service and early help school coordinators.

The Place2Be awards recognise passion, determination and hard work in schools across the UK to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.

Open to schools that work with or have recently trained with Place2Be, the aim is to celebrate inspiring ambassadors of positive mental health. This includes children, young people and adults who go above and beyond to support mental wellbeing in their school communities.