Student Well-being Guiding Principles

Student well-being teams focus on wellness and timely access to services for children, youth and their families, based on the following principles:

1. Student-centred

Every aspect of the program has the student and family at the center. Teams strive to build on the strengths of the child and to make accessing and receiving services as easy as possible. Services are tailored to meet the needs of students, ensuring they receive the right service at the right time where they are.

2. Easy Access

Children and youth have additional opportunities to seek support. They can approach a core team member directly during drop-in hours, or speak to a trusted school staff member who will help them access the support they need.

3. Early Intervention

Every effort will be made to meet the needs of children, youth and families as early as possible and in the least-intrusive manner. Having services available in schools makes accessing services easier and more timely, allows issues to be addressed earlier, and prevents these issues from escalating and impacting their ability to succeed in school and throughout life.

4. Collaboration

Team members will work together to meet the individual needs of children, youth and their families, by accessing all necessary programs and services as early as possible –while building a culture of wellness in the school community.

Consent and Privacy

Does the school or team need parent consent to work with a student?

Consent forms are required for students in the program. Services for students under 12 years-of-age always require parental consent.

There may be situations when a student can provide independent consent, depending on age and cognitive ability to make informed health decisions. In such situations, the clinical lead will talk with students about the value of informing and working with family for support and knowledge of services being provided.

Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

What information will be shared? How is privacy protected? Is consent needed to share information?

A signed consent form is required in order for a team member to share information (that is relevant in order to provide quality care) with other agencies. A team member will ensure that a student and/or family member is informed of what information may be shared and with whom.