Family Pastoral Support

Our school is committed to helping children and families. Some of our support may be able to be provided in-house through working with class teachers and the learning mentor. This may include pastoral work if children have been affected by a change in family routines or circumstance.

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Some of the needs of our families may be more complex and sensitive, whereby help may be needed from agencies outside the school. The purpose of this page is to signpost parents to additional support. ​

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Click here to view the Herefordshire Council Offer of Early Help to support families. This document outlines the Children's Help and Advice Team (CHAT) details as well as providing useful links to assist families, whatever their circumstance.​

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Whatever help you may need, individually or as a family, please get in touch. We are a listening school. If your family requires any help from school, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mr Ford, the Head of School, who can talk through any support in confidence.

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At Stretton Sugwas, every child matters and all children need to feel safe, valued, special, appreciated and included. We want every child coming to our school to feel happy, content and confident, ready to embrace the day in our secure, caring and friendly environment. 

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​Thrive Approach

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Our aim at is to offer provision in school that supports pupils to succeed in all aspects of their learning   By using The Thrive Approach, we will help support and guide the children in our care, in a secure and friendly atmosphere, building on the element of trust and offering stability. By attuning to our children, we will be able to support children further. 

The Thrive Approach combines neuroscience and child development to provide a powerful way of working with children and young people that supports optimal social and emotional development.

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In addition, the Thrive approach works in a targeted way with children and young people who may have struggled with difficult life events to help them re-engage with life and learning. 

We are pleased to have trained Thrive practitioners who support pupils within school and also provide guidance for families if there are issues at home that they need help with.

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https://www.thriveapproach.com/ offers more information about the Thrive approach but please don't hesitate to talk to a member of Pastoral Team if you have any questions.

 

Support for Families

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As we are all aware, the cost of living has gone up significantly in the last year.  We know everyone is feeling the pinch this winter and we want to support those families in our school community who are impacted the most. If you’re struggling with your finances, please do get in touch to let us know, as there may be things we can suggest which will help. We want to do everything we can to help you and your child through this difficult time.

 

Please get in touch with us to let us know if you’re struggling with your finances. Contact Mr Ford – 01432 760282 or email admin for Mr Ford to ring back. There are also a number of places where you can obtain information about specific issues listed below.

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Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB)

You don’t have to be a UK citizen to get support from your local CAB, you just need to be a resident of the local area. ​The CAB can help you with:

• Getting benefits or other financial support organised

• Accessing support for essential costs (food, bills, rent)

• Visit the Citizens Advice’s website or contact your local branch to book an appointment https://www.herefordshirecab.org.uk/get-advice/

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Family Hub

• Contact your local Family Hub to get help accessing all the support you might need as a family. Find your local hub  https://familyhubsnetwork.com/hub/worcestershire-virtual-family-hub/

 

Check you’re paying the right amount of tax

• Make sure you’re on the right tax code. If you aren’t you might be due a refund. Use the Money Saving Expert’s free tax code calculator to find out

• Claim any benefits you’re entitled to. Use 1 of these benefits calculators to determine whether there are any benefits you could be claiming: Turn2us or Policy in Practice

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Migrant Family Support

Support for migrant families – use this calculator if you are a migrant family, or if you have no recourse to public funds

You may be able to get benefits paid early if you’re already feeling the squeeze - this is known as ‘a short-term benefit advance’ - you will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) office  https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/family-support/support-claiming-managing-benefits/3 that’s dealing with your claim.

 

Check you’ve received all the government’s cost of living payments

The government’s cost of living payment is available for those receiving certain benefits or tax credits. You don’t need to apply for these – if you’re eligible the money should go straight into your account.

If you think you’re due a payment, but haven’t received one – report a missing payment to the government here.

Be aware of scams! If you receive any emails, texts or phone calls asking you to fill in an application form or asking for your bank details to receive a cost of living payment, do not talk to them or send a reply. Get more information on cost of living scams on the Money Saving Expert’s website.

 
Find out what help you can get with your energy bills

Take a look at these resources from Simple Energy Advice, the British Gas Energy Trust and the Money Saving Expert website.

 
Let us know if your child is entitled to free school meals (FSM)

If your child is eligible for free school meals (FSM) you need to get them registered. This will allow them to get a free meal at school, and we’ll get extra funding to support your child’s learning. https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/schools-education/free-school-meals

 

See what other support you can get from your local authority

https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/news/article/1409/help-on-its-way-for-hardest-hit

Local authorities have lots of different schemes that you might be eligible for, including:

The holiday activities and food programme – access to food and activities over the school holidays

Help with transport to school

Help with the cost of uniform

Get free or low-cost food

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Food Support

If you’re worried about not having enough food to feed your family, you’re not alone. There are
a number of places offering support.

If you have a child under 4, and meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to healthy start food vouchers

https://herefordfoodbank.co.uk/ Hereford Foodbank. School can help with a referral.

 

Find a local foodbank with these websites: Bankuet, The Independent Food Aid Network, the Trussell Trust, or your local community fridge

Use food waste apps and websites like Olio (for free food and household items from your local community), Too Good To Go (for low cost food from local restaurants), or Low Price Foods (food that has passed its best before date, but is still safe to consume)

 

Further information

Contact StepChange, if you’re struggling with debt

Contact Shelter if you’re having issues related to housing

Get free household goods on Freecycle

Contact the Salvation Army for emergency assistance

See if you’re eligible for grants from Turn2us

Single parents can get support from Gingerbread

 

Early Help Assessment

Early Help is an opportunity for you to get support and guidance for your children and your family at the earliest opportunity.

If you would like to seek help, advice and guidance for your family please contact the CHAT team to speak with an experienced CHAT advisor, please call the number below or speak to one of the pastoral team at school.

01432 260261

Lines are open 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday