Wellbeing & Family Support

Supporting Children and Families

At Shirehampton Primary School, we know that children learn best when they feel safe, secure and supported.

Children and families can experience challenges at different times, and sometimes a little extra help can make a big difference. We aim to provide a nurturing environment where children can talk to trusted adults, develop their emotional wellbeing and access additional support when they need it.

We also recognise how important it is to work alongside parents and carers. If something is affecting your child or family, please talk to us. You do not need to wait until a problem becomes serious before asking for help.

Worried about a child's safety?
If you are concerned that a child may be at risk of harm, please visit our Safeguarding page for information about reporting a concern. Click here: Safeguarding

Wellbeing and Emotional Support

At Shirehampton Primary School, supporting children's social and emotional wellbeing is an important part of everyday school life. We know that children learn best when they feel safe, secure, understood and connected to the adults around them.

Our approach begins with strong, positive relationships. We want every child to feel that they belong, that their voice is heard and that there are trusted adults in school who know and care about them.

Through our curriculum and wider school provision, we help children to:

• Recognise and understand their emotions
• Develop strategies for managing big feelings
• Build confidence and self-esteem
• Develop positive friendships and relationships
• Solve problems and manage disagreements
• Develop resilience and independence
• Understand when and how to ask for help
• Feel safe, valued and included

Additional support

Some children may need additional social and emotional support at different points during their time at school. Staff monitor children's wellbeing alongside their learning and work together to identify when some extra help may be beneficial.

Depending on a child's individual needs, support may include:

• Nurture provision
• Hamish & Milo
• Drawing & Talking
• Lego-based activities
• Social skills work
• Emotional regulation support
• Big Emotions work
• Sand tray work
• Forest School
• Support with friendships and relationships
• Regular check-ins with a trusted adult

Support is carefully matched to the individual child and reviewed regularly. Where appropriate, we may also work alongside families and external professionals to provide further support.

Family Support

Being a parent or carer isn't always easy, and there may be times when families need some additional advice or support.

We aim to work alongside families in a supportive and non-judgemental way. You can speak to us about anything that may be affecting your child's wellbeing, attendance or experience at school.

Families may seek support with things such as:

• Routines and behaviour at home
• Emotional wellbeing
• Sleep
• Attendance or difficulties coming to school
• Family changes or difficult circumstances
• Housing or financial difficulties
• Accessing local services
• Finding appropriate support for their child
• Parenting advice and strategies

Where we cannot provide the support directly, we can help families identify other services or organisations that may be able to help.

You don't need to know exactly what support you need before speaking to us. Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation.

To ask for family support, please contact the school office or speak to a member of staff you trust.

Young Carers

A young carer is a child or young person who helps to look after someone in their family who may have an illness, disability, mental health difficulty, substance misuse issue or other additional need.

Young carers can take on a range of responsibilities at home, such as helping with household tasks, caring for siblings, providing emotional support or helping a family member with everyday activities.

Being a young carer can sometimes affect a child's wellbeing, friendships, attendance or learning. At Shirehampton, we want our young carers to feel recognised, understood and supported.

Supporting Young Carers at Shirehampton

We provide opportunities for our young carers to spend time together, take part in activities and access support from trusted adults in school.

Our Young Carers Leads are:

Mrs Samantha Palmer- Young Carer Champion

Mr Richard Lohan- Champion SLT

We also work in partnership with the Carers Support Centre for Bristol and South Gloucestershire, who provide specialist information, advice and support for young carers and their families.

If you think your child may be a young carer, or their circumstances have changed and you feel they may benefit from some additional support, please speak to one of our Young Carers Leads or contact the school office.

Carers Support Centre – Young Carers

Support for Parents & Carers

There are lots of reasons why a family might need some extra support, and asking for help is a normal part of family life.

Our team can help parents and carers find information, strategies or services relating to areas such as:

Emotional wellbeing and anxiety
Support with understanding children's emotions, worries and regulation.

Behaviour and relationships
Advice around boundaries, routines, relationships and managing difficult situations.

Sleep and routines
Information and signposting where sleep or daily routines are becoming challenging.

Attendance and school-related worries
Support where a child is finding it difficult to attend school or is experiencing anxiety around coming to school.

SEND
Our SEND pages contain further information about identifying and supporting additional needs.

Online Safety
Our Parents & Carers section contains advice and resources to help families support children to stay safe online.

You don't need to navigate all of this alone. If you're unsure where to start, speak to us and we can help identify the most appropriate next step.

Where to Get Further Help

Bristol Family Hubs
Information, activities and support for children, young people and families in Bristol.

Bristol SEND Local Offer
Information about services and support available for children and young people with SEND and their families.

NHS
Health and wellbeing information and advice for children and families.

YoungMinds
Information and advice for parents and young people about mental health and emotional wellbeing.

NSPCC
Advice and support for parents and carers about keeping children safe.

If you're not sure which service is right for you, please speak to us. We can help you explore the support available and identify an appropriate next step.