Parental Support

What is Early Help?

Providing early help to our children and families at William Reynolds Primary School and Nursery means we can be more effective in preventing problems from affecting a child’s ability to thrive and be successful. Early help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life, from the foundation years through to Year 6.

Early help is a term that describes much of the everyday work of schools

Our Early Help Offer

Support	Explanation
Member of the Senior Leadership Team, Inclusion Mentor and Behaviour Support on the playground at the start and end of the school day	Parents/carers have the opportunity to speak to the Senior Leaders, Inclusion Mentor or Behaviour Support everyday day if they have any worries, questions or concerns.
Teacher/Teaching assistant available on the classroom door each day	The teachers or teaching assistants are always available for messages or a quick question at drop off and pick up. Longer meetings are available on request.
Inclusion mentor	Mrs Groucott is on the KS1 playground every morning to talk to parents and support children coming into school.
Behaviour support	Miss Spencer is on the playground at the start and end of the day. She is available to talk to parents and support children coming into school if required.
Nurture groups	School operates two Nurture groups in the afternoon supporting children from Y2 to Y6. There is a clear criteria agreed by the Senior Leadership Team in identifying children to be supported in the appropriate nurture group.
Early Help Assessment and Support Plans Referral to Strengthening Families	An Early Help Assessment is a way of working with children and young people. It involves listening to you and your child to find out your child’s needs and what is working well in your child’s life and your family life. This is reviewed and if needed sent into Strengthening Families to see if an allocated worker is needed to support you in the home. This is a voluntary process.
Referral to School Nursing (Healthy Child Programme)	Referrals can be made around the following concerns: physical, emotional, developmental, sleep, behaviour, feeding/weaning, accident prevention, bed wetting, diet, weight and communication.
Referral to BeeU (previously CAMHS)	School can refer to BeeU if there are high-level concerns around anxiety, or for a diagnosis for Autism or ADHD.
Signposting to Beam	Beam is an emotional health and wellbeing drop-in service for young people under 25 years old who are registered with a GP in Shropshire or Telford and Wrekin. BEAM Shropshire, Telford, Wrekin \| The Children’s Society (childrenssociety.org.uk)
PODS Coffee Mornings Signposting and/or referral to PODS (Parents Opening Doors)	Parents/carers of SEND children are invited to a PODS coffee morning to have the opportunity to find out about the service they provide. PODS are a parent support group for parents with children with additional needs. They provide advice, someone to talk to and hold regular workshops. Home – PODS (podstelford.org)
Signposting to Kooth	An online mental wellbeing community for children 11+ Home – Kooth
Signposting to SENDIASS	Support for Parents/Carers of children with additional needs. Telford SENDIASS \| SENDIASS Telford
Referral to School Nursing (Healthy Child Programme)	Referrals can be made around the following concerns: physical, emotional, developmental, maternal low mood, sleep, behaviour, feeding/weaning, accident prevention, bed wetting, CSE, diet, weight and communication.
Referral to PEGS (Parental Education Growth Support)	PEGS are an organisation specifically founded to support parents, carers and guardians who are experiencing domestic abuse at the hands of their own children. Child to parent abuse \| Parental Education Growth Support (PEGS) (pegsupport.co.uk)
Referral to Incredible Years	An evidence-based parenting programme in which parents learn to break negative parent-child interaction cycles.
Referral to Mental Health Support Team	School member of staff identifies child or young person (CYP) that may benefit from MHST support discuss with designated Mental Health Lead (MHL)
Referral to Young Carers	Practical and emotional support for children who may be a Young Carer. Young carers may have to deal with a range of illnesses with the person they care for, such as disability, chronic illness, mental health difficulties or problems with drugs or alcohol misuse. YOUNG CARERS \| Carers Centre (telfordcarers.org.uk)
Attendance Support	If you require any support with attendance, please give Mrs Shephard a call who will be happy to help you.
Sparklers lunchtime	An intervention during lunchtime for those children who need some additional support with either friendships, socialising or emotions.
Parent workshops	A range of workshops are arranged throughout the year for parents to access.
Breakfast and after school club	For those parents who need an early drop off in a morning, we have a school breakfast club option which starts from 7.45am through to the start of the school day.
Winter coat and shoes scheme	Telford Crisis Support (TCS) Winter Coats and Shoes Project, funded by Telford & Wrekin Council provide coats and shoes over the winter months. School can make a referral for children who need these.

Early help assessment

What is an Early Help Assessment?

An Early Help Assessment is a way of working with children and young people. It involves listening to you and your child to find out your child’s needs and what is working well in your child’s life and your family life. This is reviewed and if needed sent into Strengthening Families to see if an allocated worker is needed to support you in the home. This is a voluntary process.

How does it work?

With agreement, a Mrs Grocoutt or Mrs Dawkins will ask you some questions to find out what help and support your child might need. They will also talk to the child about their view. This information is recorded on a form as you talk to the DSL.

How will the Early Help Assessment help my family?

The Early Help Assessment (EHA) exists to help you support your child. It can lead to a quick solution or help to identify extra support if needed. The EHA will ensure that everyone involved in your child – such as teachers and health visitors – work together to support your child. The EHA will help your child receive the right support at an early stage before their needs increase.

What happens next?

Based on the information you and your child provide all agencies can support your child will work together to provide the support that your child and family needs. The information that you and your family provide will only be shared with the people who need to know and only with your agreement.