Wellbeing/Family Support
We believe that children thrive when they feel safe, supported, valued and understood. We are committed to working closely with families to ensure every child is able to overcome barriers to learning, develop positive wellbeing and achieve their full potential.
If you would like support, advice or simply someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure every child feels supported, confident and able to flourish both in school and beyond.
Our Family Support Worker
My name is Clare Tibbs, and I am the school's Family Support Worker and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
I work alongside pupils, parents, staff and external agencies to provide practical, emotional and social support for children and families. Whether a child requires emotional support, help with developing resilience, or access to specialist services, I am here to listen and help.
Contacting the Family Support Worker
I am available Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 3:45pm.
Parents and carers can contact me by:
- Speaking to me at the school gate
- Contacting the school office
- Speaking to their child's class teacher, who can arrange for me to get in touch
- Emailing clare.tibbs@lhps.inmat.org.uk
How We Support Children
A key part of my role is promoting emotional wellbeing and positive mental health.
Support available may include:
- One-to-one wellbeing check-ins
- Walk-and-talk sessions
- Drawing and Talking Therapy
- Protective Behaviours work
- Emotional wellbeing support
- Building resilience and emotional regulation skills
- Helping children to express their thoughts, feelings and worries
By listening to both children and their parents or carers, we can identify the right support and, where appropriate, signpost families to specialist services.
We also work with pupils who may be experiencing:
- Anxiety or emotional difficulties
- Behavioural challenges
- Friendship issues
- Changes in family circumstances
- Attendance concerns
- Social and emotional barriers to learning
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health First Aid
I am a qualified Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider).
Like traditional first aiders who provide immediate support for physical injuries, Mental Health First Aiders provide initial support, reassurance and signposting to appropriate services when someone may be experiencing a mental health difficulty.
Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
Little Harrowden Primary School works closely with the Mental Health Support Team (MHST).
MHST provides early intervention and low-intensity mental health support for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
The service can provide:
- One-to-one support for pupils
- Support for parents and carers
- Advice and guidance for school staff
- Support in developing our whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing
- Signposting to additional services where required
One of the benefits of being an MHST school is access to support with shorter waiting times than many external services.
Our Whole-School Approach to Wellbeing
Wellbeing is embedded throughout school life.
Jigsaw PSHE
Children participate in the Jigsaw PSHE Programme, which helps them develop emotional literacy, resilience, wellbeing and positive relationships.
No Outsiders
Our No Outsiders programme promotes inclusion, respect and belonging, ensuring every child feels welcomed, accepted and valued within our school community.
Kindness is Key
Our school value, "Kindness is Key", underpins everything we do, helping to create a caring, inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
Together, our staff, pupils and families work collaboratively to build a school community where children feel safe, happy and ready to learn.
Support for Families
We recognise that children achieve their best when families are well supported.
I work closely with parents and carers to help with:
- Anxiety and wellbeing concerns
- Behavioural difficulties
- Family relationship challenges
- Attendance and engagement with school
- Financial hardship
- Accessing community services and support
- Changes in family circumstances
We also work closely with external agencies to ensure families receive the right support at the right time.
This includes organisations such as:
- Service Six
- Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS)
- Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
- Northampton Children's Trust
- Community and voluntary support organisations
Family Help (Formerly Early Help)
Family Help is designed to provide the right support at the right time, helping families before difficulties become more challenging.
Support can be accessed at any stage of a child's life and aims to:
- Promote wellbeing
- Strengthen family resilience
- Improve outcomes for children and young people
- Coordinate support from multiple agencies where required
Family Help Conversations (FHC)
A Family Help Conversation is a collaborative process that brings together families and professionals to identify needs and develop a support plan.
An FHC:
- Helps identify the support a family may benefit from
- Ensures services work together effectively
- Is voluntary and completed with family consent
- Allows a lead professional to coordinate support and review progress
Family Support Workers work closely with Northampton Children's Trust and Family Help Coordinators to ensure families receive appropriate support when needed.
Specialist Services We Can Access
Where appropriate, we can help families access additional support from a range of services, including:
- Service Six Counselling and Play Therapy
- Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS)
- Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
- Family Help Services
- Children's Services
- Bereavement Support Services
- Community and Financial Support Services
Useful Support Services
Families may find the following organisations helpful:
Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Service Six
- Childline
- Samaritans
- NHS Mental Health Support
- Best Start in Life Services
Bereavement Support
- The Never Alone Project
- The Seddon Legacy Project
Family Support
- Northampton Children's Trust
- Family Help Services
- Community Law Service
- Citizens Advice
Practical Support
- Daylight Centre Foodbank
- Community Law Service
- Citizens Advice
