Early Help Offer
EARLY HELP OFFER – ST LAWRENCE CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
This page should be read in conjunction with the Children and Family Well-being Service section of our website. The files section of that page contains useful information for families looking for help. The Help in Preston Website is another useful source of information with links to services in and around Preston.
St Lawrence C of E Primary School is committed to providing appropriate Early Help for families who may need some local, lower-level support. Early Help may involve working with your child in school to support their emotional and mental health. We offer several interventions, including transition groups, meet and greet support and emotional support through a range of interventions such as Positive Play, Nurture, Time to Talk and Therapeutic Play. Class Teaching Assistants are on hand to help your child and we also have a dedicated Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)
This support is arranged by school. If you feel that your child or your family may benefit from some support, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment, in confidence, with Mrs Goodwin.
Key Personnel
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is:
Julie Goodwin (Headteacher) - email: head@st-lawrence.lancs.sch.uk - Telephone: 01772 862664
The Deputy DSLs are:
Rachel Sharp (Deputy Headteacher) - email r.sharp@st-lawrence.lancs.sch.uk - Telephone 01772 862664
Richard Crook (Assistant Headteacher) – email r.crook@st-lawrence.lancs.sch.uk – Telephone 01772 862664
Other staff with DSL level safeguarding are:
James Davis (Online Safety Lead) - email j.davis@st-lawrence,lancs.sch.uk - Telephone 01772 862664
Andrew Ponde (School ELSA) - email a.pond@st-lawrence.lancs.sch.uk - Telephone 01772 862664
The School ELSA is:
Andrew Ponde – Telephone 01772 862664
The nominated Safeguarding Governor is:
Michael Clack - email: m.clack@st-lawrence.lancs.sch.uk - Telephone: 01772 862664
The Headteacher is:
Julie Goodwin - email: head@st-lawrence.lancs.sch.uk - Telephone: 01772 862664
The Chair of Governors is:
Charlotte White – c.white@st-lawrence.lancs.sch.uk - Telephone: 01772 862664
In Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023, it makes it clear that ALL staff should be aware of their local early help process and understand their role in it. In addition, this statutory document makes it clear that any child may benefit from early help, but all school and college staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for a child who:
- Is disabled and has specific additional needs
- Has special educational needs (whether or not they have a statutory Education, Health Care Plan)
- Is a young carer
- Is showing signs of being drawn in to anti-social or criminal behaviour, including gang involvement and association with organised crime groups
- Is frequently missing/goes missing from care or from home
- Is misusing drugs or alcohol themselves
- Is at risk of modern slavery, trafficking or exploitation
- Is in a family circumstance that presents challenges for the child; such as substance abuse, adult mental health problems or domestic abuse
- Has been affected by a family bereavement or long-term illness
- Has returned home to their family from care
- Is showing early signs of abuse and/or neglect
- Is at risk of being radicalised or exploited
- Is a privately fostered child
- Is experiencing financial hardship
This list is by no means exhaustive. Anyone can need help at any time in their lives. If we can be of any help to you what so ever, please get in touch!
What is Early Help?
Early help is a way of getting extra support when your family needs it, but getting it as soon as difficulties start, rather than waiting until things get worse. It’s for children and young people of any age. Help can come from all kinds of services and organisations who work together to support your family. You might be using some of these services already, but we want to make sure they are providing the right support for you and your family’s needs.
Why would I seek early help?
It could be that you’re worried about your child’s health, development or behaviour or perhaps because you are caring for a disabled child. Maybe your child is affected by domestic abuse, drugs or alcohol? Perhaps your child is a carer for other people?
Who do I ask?
Have a chat with a teacher or health professional. They can help you look at what types of support are available and who might be able to help. Your local children, young people and families centre (Sure Start) also has lots of services and support for families with children, some especially for children with additional needs.
What sort of services or help do I get?
It depends on what you need and it might include services you already get. We will agree it with you and make sure it all joins up. The best thing to do is to contact a member of staff you feel comfortable with for a confidential chat. We can help in all manner of ways. Here’s just a few examples:
- Youth support
- Parenting groups
- Drop-in sessions
- Domestic violence support
- Groups for male carers/dads
- Behaviour support
- Education welfare
- Housing advice
- Benefits advice
- Food Bank referral
- Domestic Energy Tokens
- School drop-off and pick up
