Family Liaison
Introduction
My name is Mrs T Thomas and I have worked at the school for over 25 years in different roles. I started firstly as a TA, Nursery Nurse and Learning Mentor until my current role at St. Martin’s as Family Liaison and Safeguarding Manager which is a varied and rewarding job that is always giving me new and exciting challenges. It has enabled me to work alongside the children and their families to support them with any concerns that they have and helped them through some difficult times.
I work closely with our Head teacher, Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) Attendance Officer and teaching staff in order to provide the necessary levels of care and attention needed to assist underachieving children reach their learning potential and to ensure that all children are happy and safe.
I work with outside agencies and services in order to provide as much help as possible and to provide support via the Common Assessment Framework process (CAF)
This is an assessment process that helps to identify any needs within a family and helps deliver the support needed to address these.
For more information on this, click here
My working day may involve supporting children and parents with any concerns such as bullying, bereavement, behaviour and many other issues but the main focus is making certain that children are safe, happy, and feel they can achieve their potential in whatever they do.
If you feel I may be of help at any time to your child or family please contact me on the school number or my work mobile number to discuss any concerns you think I can help with.
Keeping children safe is something we do daily in school; we look at providing opportunities for children to be aware of themselves and make informed choices to ensure they are safe and well.
These opportunities take the form of regular PSHE lessons within the curriculum across the school but also include the following:
Keeping Children Safe
NSPCC workshops & assemblies – NSPCC workers come into school to deliver advice on antibullying and helping them recognise unsafe situations and how to get help from charities such as Childline
‘Body Changes’ sessions for boys and girls in years 5 & 6 (subject to parental permission) which helps children identify changes to their bodies and how to deal with these including good hygiene helping to ‘normalise’ the changes thus reducing anxieties children may have around these.
Use of Miss Dorothy resources which help children become more aware of keeping themselves safe
Children can also e-mail Dot and ask her about anything they want – or just chat - at dot@missdorothy.com
Bullying is dealt with through Circle Time activities and have Antibullying Week where the school has a number of activities to ensure the children are made aware of school procedures in reporting any bullying and made aware of their options to keep themselves safe. This includes accessing resources and advice through contact with websites such as Kidscape, Childline and the Antibullying Alliance
The GREAT Project – a healthy relationship and domestic abuse awareness project for pupils in Year 6 – it will be piloted in 5 schools across Herefordshire in the New Year (St. Martin’s has been given the opportunity to be one of these).
Puberty and its impact at home and in school
Miss Dorothy
Click the links down the left hand side to visit the websites
Bullying leaflets to help children and parents identify what bullying is; how they can get support with bullying issues and what actions to take
Leaflets can be obtained online - mailto:info@safetysupport.org.uk
Online safety resources
CEOP ThinkUKnow website:
Digital safety
UK Safer Internet Centre has tips for parents to keep children safe online and resources for children which include films, games, and quizzes to equip them to be safe in the digital world.
EE has a great site which enables parents to set parental controls and look at ways of keeping children safe online
Attendance
POOR ATTENDANCE LEADS TO POOR ATTAINMENT
The staff and governors of St Martin’s Primary believe that regular attendance at school is essential if children are to receive the education to which they are entitled and which they deserve.
Children who are regularly away from school, or who are persistently late, will not achieve the progress that they should.
Tips for Good Attendance
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Talk to school if there are any problems or worries.
We can help! We can only help solve a problem if we know about it.Staying away from school because of a problem only makes matters worse.If you are struggling to get into school please talk to us.
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Eat healthily.
A healthy diet can help keep children’s immune system strong so they can fight general viruses
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Get plenty of sleep.
Getting enough sleep is vital for staying fit and healthy
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Get lots of exercise.
Keeping fit, helps you to keep bugs away
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Make medical appointments outside of school time wherever possible.
Most doctors and dentists are happy to oblige.
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Take holidays in the school holidays.
School will only authorise leave in exceptional circumstances.Unauthorised leave may result in a Penalty Notice fine of £60 - £120 being issued.
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Pack school bags and get school uniform ready the evening before.
Being organised means you are much less likely to be late in the morning.
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Come back to school as soon as you are feeling better after being ill.
Do not miss school for minor illnesses and don’t stay away longer than is really necessary.
Attendance Contract
St.Martins Child Protection Information
In this leaflet we would like to share with you school
practices with regards to ensuring that children are taught and encouraged to live healthy
lifestyles and adopt safe practices.
Child Protection Information
Attendance Policy
Absence chart
