Here at Christ Church C of E Primary School, we understand that family life can, at times, be difficult and complicated and we recognise that there may be situations where pupils and their families need extra help and support.
If you are concerned about life at home and feel you need some extra support, please come and talk to us. We have an offer of Early Help and there may be many ways in which we can provide support or direct you to access the help and support needed.
Listed below is our offer of Early Help here at Christ Church:
Taking the time to listen to children’s concerns. All of our teachers are available in a pastoral capacity should parents have a concern. Parents are welcome to talk directly with our teaching staff and this is the first point of contact to discuss their child's wellbeing.
There is a Pastoral team overseen by Mrs Wyatt SENDCO and managed by Mrs Whybrew TP. Both are THRIVE trained as Licensed Practitioners. Mrs Moores and Miss Freer deliver some THRIVE /Pastoral activities.
THRIVE is the approach that the school offers as a pastoral intervention, using an online profiling system, needs can be targeted and progress towards the needs can be measured. Plans are shared with parents and teachers.
Taking the time to listen to families. Sometimes, you might need to share information or have a difficult situation you need to make us aware of. We will listen. We have families too!
We follow the comprehensive JIGSAW PSHCE curriculum which supports children and develops key skills not only for school but for life.
E-Safety is also an important part of the ongoing curriculum here at Christ Church.
There are a number of support agencies who we can access or signpost you to if you are experiencing difficulties at home.
Sometimes families may need a family support worker to help them through some challenges at home. School can make a referral to Early Help or can request an Early Help Coordinator to attend a TAF meeting, or can phone for advice.
The Pastoral Team are updated through attending a local Early Help Forum held termly.
Gloucestershire Family Support
Advisors give impartial information on childcare, finances, parenting and education. FIS are a useful source of information for parents and professionals. They support families, children and young people aged 0-19 years of age (25 for young people with additional needs) and professionals working with these families. They can help link parents up with other organisations that might be able to help or provide the information themselves e.g. parents could ask them about holiday clubs for your children across Gloucestershire.
Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children’s Procedures
Important information for parents and professionals across Gloucestershire in relation to keeping children safe and avenues of support, including Early Help options.
E-Safety
Technology is constantly changing. How can we keep our children safe whilst still enjoying the benefits of the internet?
The links below give parents helpful advice on this subject.
Children or young people with multiple needs (vulnerable) or multiple needs (complex) requiring
multi-agency input or assessment
Within Gloucestershire, Early Help Partnership (co-ordinated by Families First Plus) provides multi-agency support for children and families. A phone call to discuss a possible referral is helpful before making written referral. Parents must consent to a referral. Christ Church actively seeks support when appropriate.
Early Help Partnership/Families First Plus:
cheltenhamearlyhelp@gloucestershire.gov.uk
01452 328161.
These teams are made up of Early Help Co-ordinators, Community Social Workers and Family Support Workers. They work together from one base so they can recognise and respond to local needs and act as a focal point for co-ordinating support for vulnerable children, young people and their families.
Support provided includes:
Support for school and community based lead professionals working with children and families collaboration with social care referrals that do not meet their thresholds, to co-ordinate support within the community
partnership working to support children with special educational needs in school
advice and guidance from a social work perspective on a 'discussion in principle basis'
signposting children with disabilities and their families to access activities and meet specific needs;
advice and guidance to lead professionals and the provision of high quality parenting and family support services to families.
Emotional Health and Wellbeing
If you are concerned about your child’s emotional health and wellbeing, please speak to your child’s class teacher so they can help support your child in school. You can also contact the school nurse for further advice.
For more information about emotional health and wellbeing, you can also visit the following websites:
Childline
Beat Bullying
Young Minds
Caring for Communities and People (CCP)
CCP is based in Cheltenham and aims to support individuals and families in a variety of ways. The details below have been taken from their website. Their contact details are:
01242 228 999
or visit Cheltenham 1st Stop, 301-305 High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3HW
For Cheltenham Advice & Inclusion Service, call 01242 694530
Their Purpose:
CCP exists to improve the lives of children, young people, families and vulnerable adults who have multiple and complex needs. Our priority is to those who have been excluded or have excluded themselves from mainstream services.
We work in partnership with the person and other agencies to create a sustainable and portable package of care and support networks, which enable them to realise their aspirations and reach their full potential in life.
Their Mission:
Promote and support healthy living
Help maintain a safe and stable home environment
Encourage and support learning and achievement
Promote respect and positive social behaviour
Encourage personal economic sustainability
Provide both crisis and preventative services
Drug Concerns
Drugs education is covered in the school curriculum.
The Life Education Bus visits annually as part of the provision of PSHE/SMSC in school.
www.infobuzz.co.uk/: Info Buzz provides individual targeted support around drugs & emotional health issues, development of personal & social skills, and information & support around substance misuse.
www.onyourmind.nhs.uk – provides advice on drug/alcohol misuse.
Domestic Violence
If you, or someone you know, is affected by domestic violence there are a number of things you can do. You can:
Call the police (999 in an emergency or 101 for a non-emergency situation).
Contact GDASS on 0845 602 9035for practical local support.
Contact a help line:
National Domestic Violence Helpline (0808 2000 247).
National Centre for Domestic Abuse (0844 8044 999).
Men’s Advice Line (0808 801 0327).
CARP: 0845 602 9035 (providing advice for victims of domestic violence)