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Support for Parents
Support for Families and Parents
At The Eastwood Academy, we understand that a strong partnership between the school and families is essential for the success and wellbeing of our pupils. We are committed to providing comprehensive support to families and parents, addressing financial, emotional, and practical needs.
Financial Support
We recognise that financial challenges can affect a family's ability to support their child's education. To help alleviate these concerns, we offer:
- Free School Meals
- Ensuring all eligible pupils receive nutritious meals every day.
- Uniform Assistance
- Offering pre-loved uniform and PE kit to reduce costs.
- Food Bank Partnerships
- Collaborating with local food banks to provide essential groceries to families in need.
- Mental Health Support
- Providing counselling services and mental health resources to support pupils and families during stressful times.
- After-School Programmes
- Offering free extra-curricular activities to keep pupils engaged and supported.
- Creating a Sense of Community
- Organising events & providing helpful information for families in need and fostering a strong community spirit.
Emotional Support
The emotional wellbeing of both pupils and their families is a priority for us. We offer a range of services to support mental health and emotional resilience:
- Counselling Services: Our qualified school counsellor is available to provide one-on-one support for pupils experiencing emotional difficulties.
Practical Support
We aim to equip families with the practical skills and resources they need to support their children's education and overall wellbeing:
- Homework Clubs: After-school homework clubs provide a quiet and supportive environment for pupils to complete their assignments with the help of teachers and volunteers.
- Parenting Information: We can offer information that provide guidance and support to parents on various topics, including effective communication, discipline strategies, and fostering positive relationships.
- Career Guidance: Our career advisors provide personalised advice and support to help pupils explore their future career options and make informed decisions about their education and training pathways.
We believe that supporting families is key to ensuring the success and wellbeing of our pupils. We are dedicated to providing the resources and assistance needed to help families thrive. If you have any questions or need further information about the support services we offer, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Parents of Children with Special Educational Needs
There are numerous resources available to support special needs families in the UK, addressing various aspects such as financial assistance, educational support, and emotional wellbeing. Here are some key resources:
Financial Support
- Family Fund: The UK's largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. They offer financial assistance for essential items and services.
- Disability Grants: A website that helps families find grants for disabled children, covering various needs from education to equipment.
Educational Support
- National Autistic Society: Offers a range of support services, including educational resources and programs for parents and carers of autistic children.
- SEN Teacher: Provides free teaching resources and tools for parents and teachers of children with special educational needs.
- Twinkl: An online provider of teacher-made resources, including free SEN materials for home use.
Emotional and Practical Support
- Afasic: Supports parents and carers of children with communication difficulties, offering a helpline and a range of information and support group contacts.
- Contact: A charity for families with disabled children, providing a wide range of resources, including early years support, school choices, and bullying prevention.
- The Challenging Behaviour Foundation: Offers information and support for families caring for children and adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.
Local Authority Support
- Local Authorities: Legally obliged to provide local support for children and young people with SEND, including health, education, and social care services.
These resources aim to provide comprehensive support to special needs families, helping them navigate the challenges they may face and ensuring their children receive the best possible care and education. If you need further information or assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to these organisations directly.
Signposting families to support
Below is a list of universal support services that aim to help families facing financial difficulties:
Advice Local: find local advice services in your area.
Citizens Advice: free, independent and confidential financial advice.
Citizens UK: organises communities to act together for power, social justice and the common good.
Connect with Work: supports people who face barriers getting into work by providing tailored skills training and connecting them to businesses that are recruiting.
www.home.barclays/society/investing-in-our-communities/our-citizenship-programmes/connect-with-work
Coram Children’s Legal Centre: promotes and protects the rights of children in the UK and internationally, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Entitled To: benefit calculator to make sure families are getting the support they are entitled to.
Fair Finance: offers a range of financial products and services designed to meet the needs of people who are financially excluded.
Shelter: free support from expert housing advisers.
Shelter - The housing and homelessness charity - Shelter England
The Money Advice Service: general information regarding the benefits that are available to people.
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/benefits
The Trussell Trust: national network of foodbanks delivered by community groups and organisations.
Turn 2 Us: has an online grant search tool where you can find charities that offer non-repayable grants to help individuals on low incomes.