Early Help Offer

Here at Chelmondiston Church of England Primary School, we understand that from time to time family life can have its complications. There may be times when just a little extra support can help a family to get things back on track.  Early Help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life.  If ever things are not right at home, please come and talk to us.  Below is a list of the support and services that form part of our Early Help offer.

• Staff visible on the playground every day as a first point of contact
• Headteacher/SLT Drop in once a term to provide a forum for sharing information or concerns
• Coffee Mornings for parents and members of the local community (social event)
• Early Bird Club (wrap around care) available daily from 8 a.m. until the start of school
• Late Bird Club (wrap around care) available from Monday - Friday after school until 5 p.m.
• Lunchtime Activities supported by trained members of staff
• Robust system for recording, sharing and monitoring concerns regarding pupils (including safeguarding as a standing item on weekly staff meetings)
• Strong safeguarding culture – four members of staff are trained DSLs
• Newly created role of Pastoral Support Lead (Mrs A. Gibson), Mental Health First Aid trained, providing tailored for one-to-one and small group nurture support as required
• CAF (Common Assessment Framework) referrals made to support families
• Robust behaviour policy with built in flexibility to support those pupils for whom behaviour is a challenge
• CISS (County Inclusive Support Services) involvement for pupils with specific emotional/behavioural needs
• CAMHS (Child & Adult Mental Health Services) referrals made to support children’s mental health needs
• Regular meetings (weekly, biweekly according to need) between parents and Headteacher or parents and Class Teacher to support some families
• Links on school website signposting outside agencies that offer support to families
• Signposting to external agencies: SEND support groups, Triple P Parenting Courses etc.
• Links to out-of-hours support for parents on website
• Weekly newsletter gives contact details of parenting support agencies (ChatHealth and Parenting and Family Support
• Thrive approach used to promote well-being and positive mental health
• PSHE programme based on emotional literacy and mindfulness (JIGSAW), delivered weekly
• Our curriculum has a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and its benefits for pupil well-being
• Referral to outside agencies: Dyslexia Outreach team, Speech and Language, Acorn Trees Educational Psychologist Team
• Interventions tailored to support children with identified learning needs
• Regular online safety learning (complimented by annual recognition of Safer Internet Day with workshops run by the Year 6 Online Safety Champions)
• Biannual Childline assemblies (‘Speak Out Stay Safe’), complemented by additional age-appropriate, learning about safe relationships and trusted adults
• Active School Council to seek pupils’ views
• Financial support for trips, uniforms, residential trips, clubs etc. (pupil premium funding)
• Robust system for monitoring attendance and punctuality – Educational Welfare Officer support
• Support for parents and carers to complete forms as required