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How We Help Our Families

How We Support Our Families at Elmley Castle First School

At Elmley Castle First School, supporting our children means supporting our families. We pride ourselves on providing a nurturing, inclusive and proactive approach to wellbeing, learning and pastoral care. Below is an overview of the key ways we work together with families to help every child flourish.

Our Approach to Family Support

We believe that strong relationships between home and school create the best outcomes for children. Our staff team is committed to offering practical help, emotional support, and professional guidance whenever needed.

Our support offer includes:

  • A dedicated SENDCo working closely with families to meet additional needs
  • A trained THRIVE Practitioner to support children’s emotional development
  • Our Family Support Worker, providing guidance and early help for parents
  • A qualified Mental Health First Aider on staff
  • A school commitment to being a Trauma Aware School

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Support

Our SENDCo oversees provision for all children with additional needs, ensuring that:

  • Support is personalised and regularly reviewed
  • Parents are involved at every stage
  • External agencies are consulted when appropriate
  • Staff are trained to meet a range of needs in class

We aim for early identification and effective interventions to help every child thrive.

THRIVE Approach

We use the THRIVE approach to help children understand and manage their emotions. Our trained THRIVE practitioner:

  • Works with individuals and small groups
  • Offers personalised THRIVE action plans
  • Helps children develop emotional resilience and positive relationships
  • Supports staff in using THRIVE strategies throughout the school day

Family Support Worker

Our Family Support Worker provides a friendly, practical and confidential service for families who may need help with:

  • Emotional wellbeing
  • Parenting advice
  • Attendance support
  • Behaviour strategies
  • Accessing external agencies and local services
  • Early Help assessments

Families can request support directly or through a member of school staff.

Mental Health First Aider

We have a trained Mental Health First Aider who:

  • Offers early support to children showing emotional distress
  • Provides advice and reassurance for families
  • Helps reduce stigma around mental health
  • Works closely with the SENDCo and Family Support Worker to coordinate support

A Trauma-Aware School

At Elmley Castle First School, we recognise that experiences shape behaviour, and we are committed to being a trauma-informed community. This means:

  • Staff are trained in understanding the impact of trauma
  • We prioritise safety, trust and strong relationships
  • Behaviour is approached with empathy and curiosity
  • We use strategies that help children feel regulated and supported

Our trauma-aware ethos ensures that all children—especially those who have faced adversity—feel understood, valued and ready to learn.

Working Together

We welcome open communication and encourage families to speak to us as soon as they have a concern. No problem is too small. By working together, we ensure that every child receives the care, guidance and support they need at home and at school.

For more information or to access support, please contact the school office or speak to a member of our pastoral team.

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