Welfare and Support Services
Welfare and Support Services at St James's
► At St James’s Catholic Primary School we are committed to supporting pupils’ wellbeing and ensuring the welfare of each child is paramount.
Ms Burtenshaw, the Pupil Welfare Manager and Mrs Cunningham, our Inclusion Manager aim to support children, parents and staff to ensure that each child is able to realise their potential. We promote and develop children’s emotional wellbeing through reference to UNICEF and the Rights Respecting Schools, PSHE and Religion teaching and empower children by ensuring they understand their rights.
► At St James's, we recognise the importance of children’s wellbeing and provide targeted support for individuals who may require additional support in order for them to become resilient, confident and happy individuals as we support them to develop a positive self-image.
At St James’s we aim to work in partnership with parents and the whole school community to support and promote a child’s wellbeing. If a parent or carer would like to discuss their child’s wellbeing please contact their child’s class teacher in the first instance.
Please see the links below which provide a variety of local services.
School Nurse Referral Form
Kingston and Richmond child friendly ‘Keeping You Safe’ newsletter
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bson3UxPecXmjDDpBimquhXO4V5JVKg1/view
Achieving For Children (AFC)
Achieving for Children is a community interest company created by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames to provide their children's services.
If you are a parent, carer or young person looking for information on activities, events or services in Kingston and Richmond, you will find it on this website.https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/
Children’s Centres
Children's centres are places where all families with children under five, and expectant mothers and fathers, can go to help their children to get the best start in life. The facilities and activities are designed for young children and their families
All children's centres will offer informal support for parents and a place for your child to play and learn.
Children's centres work with a wide range of partners to ensure that they can help families in whatever area they need.
Services in children's centres include:
child and family health services
information for families and carers
early education and information about childcare
support for children with special needs
outreach and support to families in need
adult education classes with crèche facilities
helping parents find training and employment
https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/children_and_family_care/childrens_centres
Richmond Young Carers
Richmond Carers Centre provides a wide range of services for unpaid adults and young carers. Young Carers are currently running bespoke services for adult carers over the age of 18 and young carers aged 5-18 years.
Richmond Carers Centre recognises the particular challenges faced by Young Adult Carers between the ages of 18 and 25 years. Young adult carers are supported by the Adult Carer Support Team, who can tailor support to suit the caring situation and surrounding circumstances.
https://www.richmondcarers.org/services/services-for-young-carers/young-carers-support/
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
CAMHS is used as a term for all services that work with children and young people who have difficulties with their emotional or behavioural wellbeing. Information on these services can be found at:
Off the Record
Off The Record Twickenham (OTR) is a registered charity providing the only drop-in counselling, information and sexual health service for young people aged 11–24 who live, work or study in the Borough of Richmond Upon Thames.
Off the Record provide help early when it is most needed. The team help improve the emotional and mental well-being of over 1,500 young people a year at a time when they are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety.
Mind
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
MindEd
MindEd is intended to support parents and those caring for children and young people in their family when they are concerned about a young person’s mental health or well-being.
They also provide support for older people and their families when they are concerned about mental health and well-being, either their own or other family members.
Mental Health Support 24/7 Crisis Lines
Refuge IDVA and Outreach Service for residents in the Borough
020 8943 8188
Provides practical, emotional and advocacy support to female and male victims of domestic abuse. They offer expert guidance and support for victims going through civil and criminal courts and can provide advice on safety, housing, benefits and child contact arrangements.
Refuge also runs One Stop Shop, a weekly drop-in for victims of domestic abuse in Richmond upon Thames. The service offers free information, legal advice, and support for people experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
http://www.refuge.org.uk/our-work/our-services/one-stop-shop-services/
Women and Girls Network
Offers free and confidential specialist emotional support for women and girls who have experienced recent or historic sexual violence and abuse.
Also signpost to sources of advice about the legal, housing, medical and benefits systems.
Men’s Advice Line
Telephone: 080 8801 0327
A free confidential helpline for any man experiencing domestic violence and abuse from a partner, ex-partner or other family member.
Covid 19 Physical Wellbeing:
As always the welfare and wellbeing of the children and our school community is of paramount importance.
Below are a variety of resources that you may find useful if sharing information about Coronavirus with your children. It is also an important time to ensure we are all considering our own mental wellbeing. The resources may be of support.
Child Friendly Explanation of Coronavirus.pdf
MIND_managing our mental heath in relation to C...
Social story Pandemics-and-the-Coronavirus.pdf
Talking to children about Coronavirus.pdf
Covid 19 Emotional & Mental Health Support:
The Emotional Health Service have put together a booklet for parents of Nursery aged children, although much will also be applicable for children in Reception.
Anxiety UK - advice and helpline
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/blog/health-and-other-forms-of-anxiety-and-coronavirus
Mind - Coronavirus and your wellbeing
Mental Health Foundation - Looking after your mental health during coronavirus outbreak
OCD Action - skype/phone support groups
https://www.ocdaction.org.uk/support-groups/online2
Place2Be Talking to children about coronavirus
https://www.place2be.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/2020/march/coronavirus-information-for-children
RCOG - Advice for pregnant women