Unlocking Potential (UP)
Unlocking Potential (UP) are a children’s mental health charity who work collaboratively with schools to support children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs (SEMH).
UPLifting Children is a multidisciplinary service; led by a Therapy Team Manager based in school who delivers a range of therapeutic interventions and wellbeing activities for children. Our wider team includes child psychotherapists, creative art therapists, occupational and speech and language therapists. We aim to provide flexible, timely and targeted interventions to improve emotional wellbeing across our school community.
We work closely with children, school staff, parents and caregivers to enable all children in school to feel better understood, reduce anxieties, support with behaviour, improve classroom dynamics and support children’s positive relationship building.
We provide a Speak UP service where children can self-refer to talk to our Therapy Team Manager during playtime or lunchtime if they have a worry, or something they need help with. All children are welcome to make use of this.
The Therapy Team Manager is also available if teachers or parents feel a child would benefit from a check-in, which offers emotional support or reassurance.
Our Therapy Team Managers are Joshica Parmar at Orchard Primary School, Adi Hollander at Southwold Primary School, and Clare Spronk at Hoxton Garden Primary School. If you would like to find out more about our service or arrange to meet with a member of the Therapy Team, please speak to your child’s teacher or the school reception staff.
You can also visit www.up.org.uk to find out more about UPLifting Children and Unlocking Potential.
Please use the following links to view recent updates of our work within the schools:
Wellbeing Award for Schools
In April 2025, Orchard Primary School was accredited with the Wellbeing Award for Schools. This award recognises the schools commitment to promoting and protecting the emotional wellbeing and mental health for children, staff and parents.
The assessor states: ‘The school helps to address any stigma around reporting EWMH concerns by regularly sharing its commitment.’ ‘ The school buildings are bright and airy and it is notable that both staff and children greeted me as I walked around. There are attractive displays celebrating children’s achievements – and pen portraits of every child outside classrooms foster a sense of belonging. These, in turn, are complemented by ‘staff stories’ on the school website. Feedback from pupils is also excellent, children were able to discuss a range of strategies they use to support their own and others’ mental health, as well as describing examples of how they discuss relevant issues in class.’
What is WAMHS?
The Wellbeing and Mental Health in Schools (WAMHS) project is an initiative led by the CAMHS Alliance with the support of the Children and Young People’s Integrated Commissioning work stream in City & Hackney.
This innovative service aims to improve mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people in schools, colleges, specialist and alternative provision education settings in City & Hackney.
Orchard Primary School is part of the WAMHS project which supports our aims to improve wellbeing and mental health support by giving us access to a mental health practitioner. Hannah Graham (Education Mental Health Practitioner) will be on site every Wednesday morning. She supports the school to increase awareness and knowledge in identifying and supporting our students’ mental health difficulties by meeting regularly with children, teachers, support staff and senior leaders to monitor, support and promote wellbeing.
Hannah will initially be working with Year 5 classes delivering sessions around emotional regulation. She will also be working with parents to support and promote well-being.
Hannah will also be engaging with parents and carers to support and promote overall well-being within the school community. This will include offering guidance on how to reinforce emotional regulation strategies at home, as well as providing advice on fostering resilience and emotional confidence in children
For more information on WAMHS in schools: 0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Wellbeing and Mental Health in Schools (WAMHS) project
Parent Resources
The Anna Freud Centre has some very helpful resources available should you be seeking more information rather than support.
The UK Trauma Council (UKTC) creates evidence-based resources to improve professionals and carers’ understanding of the nature and impact of trauma. They aim to better equip all those supporting children and young people exposed to trauma.
Supporting an Anxious Child (online course)
This programme incorporates elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) such as psychoeducation, relaxation and gradual exposure, with the aim of enabling the child to identify their anxiety, and to apply their skills in anxiety-provoking situations.
Helping Your Child with Fears and Worries Parent Workshop (in-person course)
A free, 6-session group designed to empower parents and carers with practical, evidence-based strategies rooted in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).