Child and Family Welfare

 Mandy Garland 

Family Welfare Practitioner

Family life can be difficult and challenging at times for various reasons.

We acknowledge this at Wickham Market Primary School and are committed to and actively demonstrate concern for the growth and wellbeing of each of our pupils, their families and the broader school community. We focus on cultivating an environment and culture that supports physical, emotional, intellectual and social development.

As Family Welfare Practitioner I work closely with families, school staff and other professionals  to offer support, advice and guidance on issues or concerns which may be affecting you, your child and your family. These may include a bereavement, financial concerns, your child’s behaviour or coping with your own physical and mental health.

Early intervention is key to this, therefore by working together in partnership we can help our children to engage with their learning and the school environment, support their physical and mental wellbeing which will allow them to reach their full potential. 

This is achieved by:

• Supporting and working alongside parents in addressing pastoral concerns impacting on their child’s learning and development.
• Meeting with parents/carers to discuss issues relating to their child and where required, support parents and carers in accessing external support e.g. through the Early Help Assessment process.
• Working with the wider staff team to ensure effective support for pupils that builds upon the caring and respectful relationships that exist between staff, pupils and families.
• Providing emotional support for individual children; listening and talking to children who may need assistance on a variety of pastoral issues, for example, self-esteem and confidence, bereavement, managing feelings, anxieties/worries, separation and developing social and friendships skills.
• Recognising the importance of enabling the voice of the child to be heard, in order to promote safeguarding and well-being.  Sometimes, supporting the pastoral needs of pupils involves working with external agencies. In these situations we ensure that confidential, non-judgmental and sensitive support is provided.
• Pupils learning through Jigsaw (a whole school, mindful approach to Relationships, Sex and Health Education) and acquiring the skills they need to successfully manage their lives now and in the future. 

My email address is wickham.fwp@avocetacademy.org should you wish to contact me or you can telephone the school office on 01728 746405.