Kitwell Primary School
This is our Family Support page. For Attendance, please click here.
Family Support at Kitwell Primary School.
At Kitwell we understand that many children and families experience difficult times which can make school and home life a struggle. If you have any worries or concerns about yourself or your child, however trivial you may think they are, one of the roles of a Family Support Worker (FSW) is to work closely with children and families who may be experiencing some sort of difficulty that is having an impact on them and their family. It could be a complex issue such as bereavement, separation or changes in family circumstances.
At Kitwell the emotional welfare of our pupils is of the greatest importance and having a dedicated FSW enables these issues to be given the care and time needed to be sensitively and compassionately worked through together.
Pathfinder and Families
We love working with children and their families and we're pleased to offer long-term, flexible help. We can also make connections with lots of specialist support for different issues. Some of our work is led by families who've had support from the Pathfinder. They have organised their own groups for mutual support and to raise their voices on the issues that matter to them.
What support looks like
We know that too often services will only deal with one issue at a time and/or offer something very specific that might not work for you, or only work in a short term way.
We prioritise the relationship with you, work on whatever issues are important for you and stick around (we never close cases). You can expect to have one worker and to get to know them.
Some things we’ve helped families with include small grants, housing issues, advocacy with children’s social care or other services, escaping domestic abuse, drug or alcohol use, mental health needs, getting benefits sorted out, activities and holidays and support around special educational needs (SEND).
Sometimes it’s just about walking along side you as support.
PI4parents and NVR
We offer support programmes for parents.
Psychologically Informed Environments
•training is about creating environments that are emotionally healthy.
•Connect with other parents in similar situations
•Gain practical tools and strategies to use when you feel stuck and don’t know where to turn
•Develop an understanding of what could be going on for your child and a new way of thinking about the challenges you face.
Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) training is a programme which supports parents to understand and respond to challenging behaviour from children and young people.
Often families who have done these courses together decide to set up a group to stay in touch and support each other.
Below are some resources that you may find helpful.
- Pause – (Forward Thinking Bham) If you are in crisis you can contact our Access Centre on 0300 300 0099 and speak to a member of our team.
- Alternatively, if you would like to speak to someone, please send an email to askbeam@childrenssociety.org.uk and one of our trained Wellbeing Practitioners will contact you to discuss what help you need and when the best time is to call you.
Edgbaston Early Help
Self refer for housing advice, financial advice, behaviour support and domestic abuse.
Winston's Wish: Bereavement, Loss and Grief Support for Young Children and Families
Help 2 Make Sense is an online tool brought to you by Winston’s Wish, a charity supporting bereaved children and young people. It aims to help young people who have experienced the death of a loved one come to terms with their loss. Returning to school after someone in your family has died can be difficult. Some young people can’t wait to go back, see their friends and get back into a routine, while others might be worried about what people will say and how they will cope. However you feel, it can be helpful to have a think about what you would like to happen when you return to school, what support you might need and the kinds of things you might want to say to your teachers and friends. You’ll also find advice and tips on coping with your grief, resources and reading lists to help you come to terms with the death of someone close to you. Click here to access the Help 2 Make Sense website.
The Winston's Wish helpline team are here to help you with your grief. You can contact them by email on ask@winstonswish.org or by using an online chat (open Tuesdays 1-5pm and Fridays 9.30am – 1pm)
If you need urgent help, the Winston’s Wish Crisis Messenger text service is available 24/7 and is free and confidential – text WW to 85258.
SUPPORT for FAMILIES
For any parents or families needing some extra support there are numerous agencies available that will offer you support over the phone, by email or face to face.
- Autism West Midlands – info@autismwestmidlands.org
Loads of resources to support children with specific needs.
- Citizens Advice - call: 03444 77 1010
email: enquiries@bcabs.cabnet.org.uk – cover a large area of advice for families on areas such as: - Benefits
- Debt
- Work
- Deaf Advice Service
- Health and Disability
- Housing
- Other problems
- Benefits Appeals Tribunals
- Universal Credit Help to Claim
- FOOD BANK – Reverend Ruth – 0121 476 5287 based at St Michael's Church Hall.
If families need any food then they can ring and arrange to collect themselves.
Trussell Trust - St Boniface Church, Quinton, Wednesday between 11.00am and 1.00pm. See school first to get a red card to take with them.
MENTAL HEALTH
Kooth - www.kooth.com. is linked into the wider mental health support from Forward Thinking Birmingham and offers:
- Online mental health counselling and chat services from midday to 10pm during the week, and 6pm to 10pm at weekends
- Peer to peer support through moderated discussion forums
- Self-care tools and resources to build resilience
- Early response to and identification of emotional wellbeing and mental health problems
- And there are no waiting lists, referrals or thresholds to access the service
Childline – www.childline.org.uk or 0800 1111 7.30am-3.30am.
Recognising the signs that a child may be struggling with their mental health can be really hard. We've got advice to help you support children who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal feelings or self-harm.
Samaritans – www.samaritans.org or 116 123 (freephone number) or 0330 094 5717 - We're available by telephone and email, all day, every day of the year
Mind – info@mind.org.uk - 0300 123 3393
Young Minds - for children and young people - 0808 802 5544
The Mix - Young people 13-25 Any problems at all - 0808 808 4994 - When you’re living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is.
NSPCC – www.nspcc.org.uk – 020 7825 2505
Living Well UK - 0121 663 1217 Offers lots of support not just for Mental health services.
BEAT - Eating Disorders - Live Chat - 0808 801 0677 - 365 days a year. 9.00am-8.00pm weekdays. 4.00pm-8.00pm weekends & Bank Holidays.
DOMESTIC ABUSE/VIOLENCE
Domestic Violence – 0808 2000 247
Domestic Abuse Team – 0121 303 0368
British Womens Aid – bswaid.org
Victim support – www.victimsupport.org.uk