Our 'early help offer' is about our children, young people and their families getting the right help at the right time, before issues get worse. 

We want all our children and young people, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to achieve the best possible outcomes and receive the support they need, when they need it most.

The purpose of early help at Churchill CE VC Primary School is to prevent issues and problems becoming serious and harmful to the child, young person, family and community.

Early help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life. Family life can be complicated and sometimes you may need some support. If you have a problem at home, please get in touch – we can support you in lots of ways.

Early help is everyone’s responsibility. Ms Ford is our SENCO and Mrs Ford is our Learning Mentor, but you can speak to any member of staff.

Support for all:

We have an ‘open door’ policy to communicate, providing time to talk to all parents/carers,  and children, to ensure all children are safe, happy and learning. We are available to talk via telephone or face to face and provide time for our families to communicate and work with us (eg. greeting the children daily at the classroom door, Parents' Evening meetings, Individual Pupil Plan meetings and good daily availability). 
 

We encourage children to raise any concerns with us and, through our PSHE curriculum, we teach them how to ask for help, how to look after their mental and physical well-being, and what constitutes healthy relationships.

Bracken, our school dog, is also available to our children.  He regularly joins the children on the playground, visits classrooms and loves strokes, if you visit the school office.  

Targeted support:

We can work more closely with families and children who need some extra support. Our team in school can provide lots of advice on issues including (but not limited to):

• toileting
• establishing routines
• supporting learning or good behaviour
• parenting tips and tricks
• staying safe online

Interventions or personalised programmes may be used to support the educational, social, physical and emotional needs. SEND target setting may be implemented. Parents / carers are always fully involved in this process.

If required, we may work with a family to complete an Early Help Assessment to help decide the support that would be best way to support a family.

Support agencies we link with:

• School Health Services
• Behaviour Support Services
• Speech Therapists
• CAMHS
• Young Carers
• Educational Psychology
• Local Police Community Support Officers
• North Somerset Special Educational Needs Team
• NextLink domestic abuse support services 

We can also signpost you to a range of local or national support services offering more specialised support. Some areas which we can signpost families to include:

• Mental health or well-being groups or resources
• Financial support agencies
• Food banks
• Domestic abuse agencies (as above)
• Housing support groups.

Listed below are contact details for a range of local organisations dealing with these issues and more. If you have any questions please contact us:  Mrs Woollven, Headteacher or Mrs Bryant, Deputy Head Teacher on 01934 852446 or Office@churchill-pri.n-somerset.sch.uk

If you are worried about domestic abuse and want help or someone to talk to – please contact us.

Phone 0800 470 0280 and ask to speak to the Reaching Out Domestic Abuse Worker.

email: ReachingOut@nextlinkhousing.co.uk

“It Takes a Village to raise a child” originates from an old African proverb and conveys the message it takes many people to provide a safe and healthy environment where children can flourish. Our coffee morning is for parents that have either attended our Advanced Parenting groups or those just interested in finding out more about building their tribe.

The drop in is a relaxed and friendly place where parents and parenting specialists will be on hand to offer support, a listening ear and advice. We want you to tell us what you would like your village to look like.

First Friday of every month starting Friday 13th January 23.

Where? Castle Batch Children’s Centre

What time? 09:30 – 11:00 Free Tea and Coffee and cake, children welcome.

For more information, please contact the Parenting Team: parenting.groups@n-somerset.gov.uk

In Charley’s Memory - Counselling
In Charley’s Memory is a local charity based in Highbridge, Somerset who work to support 11-25-year olds in a variety of ways, but mainly through one to one counselling. Tel: 01278 557490 General enquiries email: enquiries@incharleysmemory.co.uk emails about counselling: counselling@incharleysmemory.co.uk

Families under pressure – Parenting video tips from the NHS

The Maudsley Charity have put together simple tips and tricks, formulated by researchers and NHS mental health experts, which are backed by science and proven to work with families.  The tips and tricks have been put together to help parents with difficult behaviour and negative emotions.  To access the support, click on this link.