We are here to offer support to families through home visits and community appointments as well as meetings in the school. We offer direct support with referrals to appropriate agencies, help with grant applications, form filling and assistance with liaising with statutory services, e.g., social services. We also facilitate regular coffee mornings held at Willow Dene and Rowan Wood. It’s a great opportunity for parents to chat, share information and experiences. We can be contacted by phone or email via the school. 

Vicky House – Family Support Advisor 

Vicky offers practical help and emotional support to families experiencing short or long-term difficulties, with the aim of empowering parents to address difficult situations, wide-ranging challenges, and reduce problems and risks with a range of social and personal issues. These can range from benefit and grant applications to support around domestic abuse, bereavement, isolation and depression, debt or homelessness.  Vicky also facilitates the weekly ‘Speakeasy’ coffee morning. This is an opportunity for parents to find out what is available to them in an informal and familiar setting, ask questions and discover more about the many different services and how they might access them. Vicky organises wide-ranging parent learning opportunities in school from specific school-led workshops, well-being opportunities and externally-provided courses.   

Rebekah Forbes - Family Support Assistant

Rebekah provides essential support to families facing both immediate and ongoing challenges by offering practical and emotional support that empowers parents to confront a variety of issues while reducing the risks linked to social and personal difficulties. Her support addresses a broad spectrum of needs, including help with applications for benefits and grants, as well as guidance for those experiencing domestic violence, bereavement, social isolation, depression, financial hardship, or homelessness. Additionally, Rebekah hosts the weekly ‘Speakeasy’ coffee morning, which serves as a relaxed environment for parents to learn about available resources, ask questions, and explore the various services they can access. She also coordinates a diverse array of learning opportunities for parents within, ranging from targeted workshops led by school staff to well-being initiatives and courses offered by external providers. Referrals to the Family Support Team can be initiated through class teams or teachers.

Michele Flower – Health Support Advisor 

Michele’s role supports families of children and young people with health needs or those who need advice and support with health-related matters. Michele can accompany parents to medical appointments, support families to make sure they have the equipment they need, liaise with other health professionals, including GPs and hospitals, as well as provide emotional support and time to talk.