Pastoral Support Hub

Newcroft Primary Academy aims to support every child and their family, both academically and through relevant pastoral support. This support may be in the form of interventions in school or signposting to services who specialise in the provision for pupils and their families, that is needed to help them to thrive. 

There are many ways in which we can help. Please speak to:

Miss Brailsford, Head of School/ Deputy Head,  Pastoral and Wellbeing leader and DDSL,

Mrs Aukland, Head teacher and DSL,

Mrs Kirkham, Deputy Head teacher and DDSL,  

Mrs Wicks, Assistant Head teacher and DDSL

who can give detailed help, support and guidance.

We are well supported by our ELSA and Family Outreach Worker, Mrs Robe, as well as our highly trained teaching and support staff. We also have Mrs Yerolemou who is our in school ELSA, who provides support for pupils. 

Below, you will find some of the services we provide or can signpost you to. 

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Early Help and Family Help

We can make referrals to the Children's Services Early Help ans Family Help teams. They are there to give families support, guidance and in some cases, training and the tools to help. Find out more here. 

These are some of the services they provide, which we can refer for: 

• Family Support for short-term parenting and behaviour support
• Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners to help with children age 8 years and over who are anxious or depressed but aren’t involved with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
• Pathway Co-ordinators where cases are complex, children have been excluded from school and there are many services already involved that need co-ordination
• Group support including support for managing anger, Special Educational Need and Disability, keeping safe and feeling safe

We can also refer to 'Supporting Leicestershire Families' who provide intensive family support for families who have a range of needs which impact on family functioning including:

• A range of health and or mental health concerns
• Anti-social behaviour or criminal activity
• Unemployment or housing difficulties
• Education difficulties including children at risk of exclusion
• Domestic abuse

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Family Support and Guidance

At Newcroft, we have an ELSA  in school full time (see below), as well as a  Family Outreach Worker, who provide us with support for pupils and their families. The help on offer can take many forms, including 1:1 work with pupils in school and home visits to parents to offer guidance at home. 

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ELSA- Emotional Literacy Learning Support Assistant

At Newcroft,  we have a trained ELSA, Mrs Yerolemou, who supports referred children to maximise their future chances in life. There will always be children and young people in schools facing life challenges that detract from their ability to engage with learning. Some will require greater support to increase their emotional literacy than others. ELSA is an initiative developed and supported by educational psychologists. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed. We also have Mrs Nicola Robe who works 1 day a week in school to provide counselling and more specialist ELSA work. She is also a trained DSL. 

The majority of ELSA work is delivered through group work, but sometimes individual sessions are more appropriate. Sessions are fun using a range of activities such as: games, role-play with puppets or arts and craft.

In ELSA we aim to provide support for a wide range of emotional needs:

• Recognising emotions
• Self-esteem
• Social skills
• Friendship skills
• Anger management
• Loss and bereavement

How does ELSA work?

Children are usually referred for ELSA support by their Class Teacher, Senior Leaders or the SENDCo. Every half term, referrals are reviewed to identify and prioritise which children require a weekly programme for the next 6-8 weeks. With the programme aims in mind we then plan support sessions to facilitate the pupil in developing new skills and coping strategies that allow them to manage social and emotional demands more effectively. We aim to establish a warm, respectful relationship with a pupil and to provide a reflective space where they are able to share honestly their thoughts and feelings.

Remember, ELSAs are not there to fix children's problems. What we can do is provide emotional support.

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The School Nurse Service

School nurses work to improve health inequalities and address public health concerns to support children, young people, and their families to make an informed choice to improve their health and wellbeing.

Healthy Together and your Public Health (School) Nursing Service

Healthy Together is a universal service from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust for children and their families from 0-11 in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Public Health (School) Nurses from Healthy Together are available to help you and your child in many different ways. You can find help and support with:

• Behaviour
• Continence
• Physical health
• Emotional health
• Parenting
• Healthy lifestyles
• Diet and nutrition
• Plus much more

Your Public Health (School) Nursing team can be contacted via your child’s school, or alternatively you can find the contact details by selecting your child’s school from the drop down list on our Health for Kids: Grownups website.

Discover more about the school nursing team here.

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ChatHealth

ChatHealth is a confidential text messaging service provided by Healthy Together that enables parents and carers to contact their Public Health (School) Nursing team for advice and support. You can get in touch for advice and guidance about any aspect of your child’s physical or emotional health.

Text a Public Health (School) Nurse on: 07520 615 382

The service operates between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. The team aim to reply to you within one working day and you should get an immediate message back to confirm your message has been received.

If you need help before you hear back, you should visit your local walk-in centre, GP or call 111. In an emergency, call 999.

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Health for Kids

Health for Kids enables primary school aged children to learn about health in a fun and interactive way. With different worlds to explore and content, games, videos, quizzes and animations to enjoy across topics including health, feelings, illness and getting help, children can sit and learn with parents, carers, grandparents, siblings and teachers in a fun and safe online environment.

Visit Health for Kids at: www.healthforkids.co.uk

Health for Kids: Grownups

Health for Kids: Grownups is an extension of our Health for Kids platform, providing health related advice and information specifically for parents and carers of children aged 5-11. Content is available across many topics around the four main areas of Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, Health Issues and Getting Help.

Grownups can also access localised information, including news, local services and public health (school) nurse contact details in the dedicated Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area that can be accessed when you first visit the website.

Visit Health for Kids: Grownups- https://www.healthforkids.co.uk/grownups

You can also keep up-to-date with the latest posts, advice and information by following our Health for Kids social platforms:

Twitter- @healthforkids1

Facebook- @healthforkids1

Instagram- @healthforkidsgrownups

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Signposting to other services

Please speak to one of the team in school regarding referrals or other services that can help with a range of issues.

General support for to promote good physical and mental health in children

Support for families under pressure 

Parenting guidance and tips

Family Lives 

Family Help Leicestershire