Wellbeing 

GFJS Pastoral & Family Worker, offer support for parents/Carers and also provides support, advice and information to the families within our school community. We know that sometimes life can be challenging and chaotic and this can affect children and the wider family.

Our Family Worker is a great listener! They can help with any worries that parents/carers may have in relation to their child’s well-being, education, attendance and behaviour. They can also help signpost families to other specialist services.

Our family worker works Monday – Thursday and is on the Y3 & Y6 entrance in the mornings and the Y4 & Y5 entrance at the end of the school day for parents to chat to. Alternatively, parents/carers can phone the school to make an appointment to have a meeting.

Advice and support is confidential although concerns relating to the safeguarding of children will always be dealt with in accordance with the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Support for families includes:

• Providing advice and support for families when they may need a helping hand or someone to talk through issues with
• Providing information and signposting to other services in the local area
• Supporting families to ensure good attendance and punctuality for their child
• Liaising with a range of external services such as housing, school nursing service, bereavement counselling and social care
• Helping to book parent consultations and HAF holiday provision
• Assistance in completing paperwork and forms e.g. housing, school places and benefits
• Advice and support in promoting positive behaviour at home

Our Family worker also organises workshops and drop in surgeries related to:

• Specific issues that parents often face with children at home such as bed wetting, anxiety, on-line safety
• SEND such as Autism and ADHD
• Issues that may be affecting families such as debt and housing issues
• Career and personal development training for parents/carers

Family workers may not have all the answers, but will help you to work out how to find them!

NSPCC Advice on talking to your children about COVID-19 and the worries they may have.	Partnership for Children Advice and practical ideas to boost your child’s wellbeing during lockdown	NHS inform A self-help guide from NHS Scotland for adults anxiety that uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).	YOUNG MiNDS Advice and guidance for parents on spotting and helping manage anxiety in children.
shout 85258  Shout 85258 is a 24/7 UK text messaging service for times when people feel they need immediate support.	Anna Freud  Advice and guidance for parents and carers to help them support a child or young person experiencing poor mental health or	Mind Advice and support from the national charity Mind for parents on helping children deal with the mental impact of COVID-19	NHS  Advice for parents on dealing with child anger and aggression.
Compass Commissioned by Reading Borough Council, Compass Recovery College provides support to adults affected by mental ill health.	NHS Mental Health Support A directory of support available for a range of mental health and other issues that can affect family wellbeing	Anxiety UK A charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition. Tel: 03444 775 774 Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm	Talking Therapies If you are registered with a Berkshire GP and over 17 you can refer yourself for Talking Therapies support with stress, anxiety or depression.

Additional Pastoral; Mental Health Support for Children

Sometimes children may be finding situations at home or school more challenging than usual. When this happens, we offer a range of direct support for children. We can also support parents to access external professional support where this is needed.

Year Group Pastoral Workers (ELSAs)

In school we have a trained pastoral worker working with each year group (ELSAs). They work with children individually or in small groups over a series of sessions to help them better understand their emotions and to help them cope with situations that may be causing them difficulties, upset or
anxiety.

Support for pupils includes:

• Promoting self-esteem and confidence
• Developing resilience
• Promoting positive behaviour and positive relationships
• Helping with anxiety
• Supporting pupils through a challenging home situation
• Supporting pupils who have a family member that is ill, in hospital or in prison
• Supporting pupils who have lost a loved one or pet
• Supporting pupils with transition

Mental Health Support Team (MHST)

Where children need a higher level of well-being support than our pastoral team can provide, we work with Bright Futures for Children Mental Health Support Team to help children receive specialist support.

We have a MHST worker attached to our school and they provide group and 1:1 support in school for identified children.

We can also refer to the MHST triage team to help get children and families the right support.

Mental Health Support Team