Family Support Worker

Hello, my name is Mrs Darby, and I am the Family Support Worker at Barming Primary School.

My role is to provide pastoral support to parents/carers and help with any issues that you may have in relation to supporting your children, both at home and in school. I work to encourage parental involvement within school, signpost to agencies (where appropriate) and support children in school. Should you have a personal concern or school related issue, then I am here as a listening ear. I have access to a number of agencies who may be able to provide support to you and your family, for issues such as:

• Bereavement Services
• Children’s Centres
• Counselling/Play Therapy
• Mediation
• Housing
• Parenting Programmes
• School Nursing
• Early Help
• Social Services
• Young Carers
• Food Banks

All contacts with any of the above agencies (with the exception, on occasions, of Social Services) are made with total parental involvement.

I liaise with all school staff, always in the best interests of the children and their families and work impartially and confidentially if you ever need advice or support.

Please ask if you would like further advice and help accessing the right support.

Attendance

I also work with families regarding attendance. All pupils should be in school between 8.30am and 8.50 am so they are sitting in class ready to learn by 9.00 am.

If your child is ill, the school office should be informed as soon as possible on the first day of absence. Our preference is that you do this via the StudyBugs app, but you can also email or phone. Please give your child’s name, class and reason for absence.

     LATEST NEWS

 I have booked two Adult Education Workshops for the New Year:

- Confident Parent, Confident Child 2 hour Workshop on 23rd January 2023. Please contact me for a place on this course.

- Stepping Up into Secondary School 2 hour Workshop on 28th April 2023. Details to be released after Christmas.

MOVING UP TO SECONDARY SCHOOL! 

Here is a link to a video about starting secondary school:

https://www.annafreud.org/movingup/

KENT SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE:

The phone number has changed.
It is now freephone: 
0800 0113 474 (open 8am to 6pm)

Below are some useful services and resources:

Additional Support Services-Advice and Well Being

Additional Learning Needs

Bereavement

Healthy Lifestyles

Local Support

Mrs Darby - Hours of work are:

Monday – 08:30 – 3.30

Tuesday – 08:30 – 3.30

Thursday – 08:30 – 3.30

Friday - 08.30 - 3.30

I aim to be outside on the playground in the morning on these days.

You can contact me on - 01622 726472 or via the email link at the bottom of this page.

Kent Educational Psychology Service

Dear Parents/Carers,

Kent Educational Psychology Service now has a Parent Consultation Line which consists of a free 30-minute phone or video consultation.

This is to provide support and guidance to parents to support children's wellbeing and learning, including:

-social and emotional issues

-concerns about behaviour

-family relationships

-concerns about learning

-daily routines including sleep

To access this service please email kepscommunitysupport@kent.gov.uk with the following information:

-your name

-phone number

-a convenient time to call (morning or afternoon)

-your child's year group

-a brief description of what you wish to discuss

If you have any questions about this, please come and talk to Mrs Darby.

Please see the following information regarding a free emotional resilience course for 9 - 13 year olds:

Bounce Back is a six-week programme which aims to look at emotional resilience in young people. This course looks at how people can combat stress, deal with their emotions, and also how they can reduce levels of anxiety - all with the aim of encouraging young people to ‘bounce back’ from the challenges which they face in life.

Spaces are free but fill quickly. For more details on our Bounce Back courses, visit the Maidstone Mind website

See below for a local charity offering support to mums and children:

Below is the link for the KENT RESILIENCE HUB , which is full of great information, resources and ideas for supporting our children and young people:

https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/

***THE FAMILY HUB - Parenting support and resources***

Please see the link below to some great ideas to support families at home at this time:

https://www.fegans.org.uk/parent-hub/

** I am aware that many families and children are feeling anxious and concerned about a whole range of issues at the moment.  Here is a link to a great website with lots of information and support for anxiety and other issues during this time:

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/see-hear-respond-support-hub

If you would like to discuss anything, you can contact me via the email link at the bottom of this page**

***This was a useful video on the BBC recently, about supporting our children's mental health at the moment:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/education-55620288