Family Liaison Officer
School's Early Help Offer
Sometimes we all need a little bit of help with family life and there are many difficulties that are common across all types of families. Accessing support when you need it will benefit you and your family in the long term and can make everyone feel much better when things improve. The trust is working hard to provide Early Help support to families within our school community. Early Help support aims to provide advice and support to families, with the objective of preventing escalation to higher level services. It can involve working alongside a variety of agencies to ensure the right support is offered when needed.
My name is Claire Kudryk and I am the Family Liaison Officer supporting children and families at Sawley Infant and Nursery School, Sawley Junior School, Dovedale Primary School and Shardlow Primary School.
My role in school is to provide support, advice and information to families who are facing a challenge or difficulty no matter how small. I can help you with any worries that you may have in relation to your child's education, behaviour and wellbeing and I can also be a listening ear if you need someone to talk to. I can meet with you at home or in school at a time to suit you. 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 Policy. I may not have all the answers, but hopefully I can work with you to bring about positive change!
Support can include (but isn’t limited to) supporting parents/ carers:
- Who are experiencing difficulties in managing their child’s behaviour or who have concerns around their child’s behaviour.
- Whose children are not attending school regularly
- Who may need support on a wide range of issues impacting on family life
- Who are worried about their child’s emotional health
- Who would like support around implementing routines at home
- Who would like support around adjusting to any changes within the family home
- Who would benefit from being signposted to more specific and targeted services in the local community including health, housing and wellbeing services
- To discuss any concerns or worries in a safe secure environment.
I can support children in school on a 1-to-1 basis and in small groups by listening and working with them around a variety of issues including:
- Supporting around understanding and managing emotions
- Promoting confidence and self-esteem
- Supporting around key transitions, including moving between classes and schools
- Support around friendships and relationships
- Support around family issues and things that may be happening at home eg. Bereavement, new baby, parent’s separation/ divorce, family breakdown, parental health and well-being needs.
- Promoting good attendance and punctuality
- Promoting positive behaviour and positive attitudes to learning
I am currently based at Dovedale Primary School on Mondays, Shardlow Primary School on Wednesday mornings and will be at the Sawley school’s site Tuesdays, Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays and Fridays. Please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing me on ckudryk@willowsat.co.uk or contacting your child’s school.
PLEASE NOTE: Over weekends and school holidays there is information and links to services you might find helpful below. Please also refer to leaflet ‘Emergency information for parents and carers during weekends and school holidays’ which has lots of information for support around financial and housing difficulties, mental health and domestic abuse.
If you are concerned about the safety of a child or you require urgent help or advice please contact Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190 (24 hours) or the emergency services via 999.
Please see resources below and useful links for helpful information on a variety of areas of need.
Managing Children’s Behaviours
Please see the following websites and resources for support around managing children’s behaviours. Please contact your child’s school or the family liaison officer directly if you would like to discuss the further.
https://maudsleycharity.org/familiesunderpressure/
https://services.actionforchildren.org.uk/derbyshire/build-sound-minds/
Children’s Sleep Support
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/
https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/information-support/children/
School Health
School nurses can be contacted via ‘ChatHealth’ - This is a secure and confidential text messaging service for parents and young people.
Parents text message service: 07507 327769
Young people (aged 11-19) text message service: 07507 330 025
Further information can be found via the following website and the family liaison officer can make referrals into this service where appropriate;
https://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/schoolnurse
Supporting Children With Additional Needs
Having a child with additional needs can bring about further challenges at times. If you are worried about this, please speak to your child’s school. The following websites and resources may also provide useful advice and support;
https://www.derbyshireiass.co.uk/home.aspx
https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/
Autism Support and ADHD
https://www.autisminformationservice.org.uk/
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Anyone can and affected mental health in their lives. The following links offer support and advice when needed;
https://derbyandderbyshireemotionalhealthandwellbeing.uk/
https://parentingmentalhealth.org/
Nip in the Bud | Child Mental Health Resources for Parents and Teachers
YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds
Supporting Children To Manage Their Feelings
It can be difficult for children to manage big feelings such as anger and anxiety sometimes which can impact on how they behave and respond in different situations. Please see the following resources for ideas of how to support your children with this. Please speak to your child’s school if you have further concerns and would like some additional support.
Parental Separation
Parental separation and divorce can be a difficult time for all family members and can change how we react and respond to things. Support and advice for parents and how to support your children can be found on the following websites;
https://childlawadvice.org.uk/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/divorce/
https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/
https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/family-justice-young-peoples-board/
Bereavement
Support for parents and children available from the following organisations;
https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/
https://www.childrensbereavementcentre.co.uk/
Financial Hardship
Manna Food Box Scheme
Affordable Food | Manna Food Boxes | Long Eaton - Manna Food Boxes, located in Long Eaton and Sawley and serves people within these and the surrounding areas. It dedicated to helping people manage the weekly shopping bills and ensure that families can eat well
Long Eaton and Sawley Food Bank –
Please contact school for a referral during term-time. During school holidays the food bank can be contacted directly on 0795 054 7671
https://longeatonsawley.foodbank.org.uk/
- Long Eaton food bank. Address: Long Eaton Baptist Church, Station Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 1GJ. Opening times: Tuesdays and Fridays 10-12.
- Sawley Food bank. Address: 165 Wilmot Street, Sawley, Long Eaton, NG10 3EL. Opening times: Saturdays 9.30-11.30
Citizens Advice
- 0808 278 7954 (free phone number) - advice line and to book appointments
Derbyshire Discretionary Fund
- The Derbyshire Discretionary Fund can provide grants or emergency cash payments if you are in urgent need of financial help following a crisis or disaster. More details can be found online via https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/adult-care-and-wellbeing/benefits-debt-and-legal-matters/managing-money-and-debt/derbyshire-discretionary-fund/derbyshire-discretionary-fund-ddf.aspx
Bundles of Hope
- Bundles of Hope is a community based initiative which provides opportunities for families of preschool children to access clothing, shoes, nappies and wipes free of charge - https://bundlesofhope.co.uk/
Loan Shark Debt Support
Domestic Abuse Support
Are you suffering harm from your partner or someone you know? This harm doesn’t have to leave bruises or marks. There is one helpline number in Derbyshire for reporting or discussing domestic abuse and accessing support: 0800 0198 668
In an emergency situation ALWAYS call 999
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
https://www.derbyshiredomesticabusehelpline.co.uk/
Substance Misuse Support
If you are concerned about this for yourself or your children, please see the following links for further support;
https://services.actionforchildren.org.uk/derbyshire/space-4-u/ (supporting children affected by other people’s substance misuse)
Eating Disorder Support
If you are worried about your child’s eating habits and weight, always speak to their GP at the earliest opportunity. Some charities which may also be able to support are;
Useful Information