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    • Family Support Worker

    Welcome to the Family Support Worker page.


    My name is Martin Richards and I am the Family Support Worker for Pennington C of E Junior School. My role is to support the children and families in our school community. 

    What does my role involve as Family Support Worker?

    As the school’s Family Support Worker, I can provide information and support to families and children to get them the help they feel they may require. I am able to promote and enhance the relationship between home and school, often working alongside the teachers to reach successful outcomes for the children and families. I work in partnership with a wide range of agencies and professionals to deliver support and interventions and represent the school in a variety of settings. I can help support parents where it’s appropriate, with useful strategies and routines. I can offer emotional and social support for children whilst they are in school or signpost you to outside agencies, organisations and professionals if their support or advice is relevant.

    Martin Richards – Family Support Worker 

    Please call the Office if you would like to contact me or email directly at m.richards@pennington-jun.hants.sch.uk

    Mr R

    What does a Family Support Worker do?

    • I offer impartial support, advice and guidance to parents and carers.
    • I am a School-based service that provides free support with:
      • Parenting concerns
      • School transition
      • School attendance
      • Confidence building
      • Mental well-being
      • Relationship breakdown
      • Accessing local services
      • Behaviour management
      • Bereavement
      • School holiday activities
      • Benefits / housing / debt.
    • I am also part of a team who support children on a 1:1 basis, listening and working with them through the Thrive Approach.
      • Development of pupil self-esteem and confidence
      • Friendship issues / bullying, including social networking
      • Family issues: bereavement, new baby in the family, parent’s separation / divorce.

    How do I do it?


    As a Family Support Worker I give support to families in many different ways including:

    • One-to-one support, working with parents and carers including talking and listening. Finding practical strategies with parents/carers and children to improve learning, behaviour and relationships.
    • Referring and signposting to local services

    If you would like a friendly chat, I can be found outside the school reception at 'drop off' most days or, alternatively, please contact me directly at m.richards@pennington-jun.hants.sch.uk to make an appointment or leave a message for me at the school office.

    Useful Information

    Below is a list of useful information that I have come accross that may benefit some of our families that has been shared via our Local Children's Partnership.

    1. Help and support available to New Forest residents - October 2022 edition
      PDF File
    2. Details of Fare Share Larders - food for a family of 4 from £5 a week - not means tested
      PDF File
    3. New Forest Basic Bank - Food parcel to last a whole week for your family.
      PDF File

    Warm Hub and Family Meal

    Lymington Baptist church offers a weekly warm space and hot meal for local families. You need to give them a call or drop then an email to let them know your family is coming along - and they can even provide transport from Pennington - the pick up point is Pennington Junior School car park. Your whole family is welcome.

    Warm Hub & Evening Meal

    Warm Hub & Evening Meal

    Useful Web Sites

     

    Internet Safety

    • CEOPS Reporting -  CEOP is a law enforcement agency and is there to keep children and young people safe from sexual exploitation and abuse.
    • Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline. Explore one of the six Thinkuknow websites for advice about staying safe when you're on a phone, tablet or computer.

    Child to Parent Aggression Support

    Capa First Response

    Capa First Response CIC is a specialist organisation working with families affected by child-to-parent aggression. Their approach is non-blaming and relational: they work to understand the reasons beneath the behaviour rather than managing its surface presentation. They support children and young people up to 18, and up to 25 where there are additional needs or neurodivergence, diagnosed or not.

    They operate as an online platform, which means their support is accessible to families across the UK, not limited by geography. Their own data shows a 100 per cent increase in referrals in the past year, with over 400 families referred and 98 per cent reporting improvement in parent-child relationships following support.

    For professionals, their website includes useful background reading, including a clear explanation of their terminology and why they avoid the word "abuse" in describing children's behaviour. They offer CPD-accredited training ranging from a three-hour introduction to a full day, with bespoke options available for organisations. They also accept direct professional referrals.

    You can find their website here:
    capafirstresponse.org

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