Let's Get Supported

Family Support Team

Ms Golding and Mrs Rowley are here to help you in any way they can. If you need access to further services, want to talk through an issue or just need some advice, they are here to help you. They are available from 8.45 till 3.30. Please telephone the school office.

Place2Be Counselling

Place2Be services will be starting during the Spring Term at WHC.

What difference does Place2Be make in your child's school?

Place2Be is a national charity working in over 200 UK schools to improve the confidence and emotional wellbeing of children. We help children feel better about themselves and when children feel better about themselves, they are able to learn more easily and that means less worry for parents.

How we help children

Place2Be works with children one-to-one and in small groups, offering regular time-tabled support for those who will benefit most. All pupils can find help with friendship issues and other worries by choosing to visit Place2Talk. Short lunchtime sessions are open to individuals and to groups. We always obtain consent from parents or carers before working with children.

How we help families

We routinely meet with parents to discuss their worries about their children. A number of Place2Be schools also have A Place for Parents, offering adults support with any issues they may have.

How we help schools

Place2Be also supports teachers and school staff members to think through the emotional needs of children via Place2Think which helps the whole school to thrive.

How Place2Be works

There is a special Place2Be room inside the school where children can go to express and think about their worries, through talking, creative work and play. Trained adults called School Project Managers support this process, helping children to find new ways of coping with difficulties so they don't get in the way of friendships or learning.

Times when we're especially useful

There are times when children feel especially sad, confused, fearful or angry, due to family problems such as separation or illness, or even the death of a much-loved pet. Some may become withdrawn; others may become demanding or challenging in their behaviour: that's when having Place2Be in school is especially helpful.

Services Offered

Place2Talk - Self-referral service

• Lunchtime service for all children.
• Children self-refer by posting a slip in the P2B post box.
• 15 minute sessions with School Project Manager (SPM) for individuals or groups of children

Place2Think for teaching staff:

• Support for teachers and school staff to discuss any issues relating to children or referrals.
• Timetabled sessions or drop-in times as required.

Place for Parents

• Support for parents/carers. Referrals made through the School Project Manager are passed to a Parent Counsellor.
• 8 weekly sessions initially, but can be extended to up to a year.
• Sessions care usually held at this school.

Place2Be - Children:

Individual Sessions

• 1 to 1 sessions for individual children, by referral only, for an hour a week
• Referrals can be made by staff, parents or the children themselves.
• Duration = 1 to 3 terms. Children are collected and returned to class by Volunteer Counsellors (VCs).

Consent:

• Written consent is required by parents and child before sessions start.

Evaluation:

• Assessment/information is collected at the start and end of the therapy by using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ's).

Confidentiality:

• Confidentiality - general themes relating to the child`s progress can be discussed with the SPM.
• However, specific details of the child`s work within the room is confidential unless the counsellor has concerns about the child's safety or the safety of anyone else around them. In this case, they will discuss this with the Place2Be School Project Manager who will then liaise with the appropriate school staff member.

Groups:

• Groups of up to 8 children on themes as discussed and agreed with the School Management Team (e.g. transition, bullying, self-esteem).
• Usually held in the Spring/Summer terms.

Who is eligible for Place2Be?

Any child requiring emotional support for any reason.

Signposting to further local support

 Brambles Family Hub - Epping Forest District

Hazelwood Family Hub Delivery Site provides a warm and friendly service for families. We welcome children, young people and their families and provide access to support and services to help children and families achieve the best start in life.

Our wide range of services include interactive stay and play sessions, Healthy Family drop-in’s and access to other external agencies.

We want parents and carers to have access to services and networks which will empower and help them support their family.

Please feel free to contact us or come along and meet the Barnardo’s team leading the groups and activities, for a full list, please see the timetable below.

Hazelwood Healthy Family Delivery Site is based in Waltham Abbey and is one of several sites in Epping Forest district which are part of the Brambles Family Hub.

Epping Forest Frontline Services

Frontline was designed by Uttlesford Citizens Advice, but it is really a large community project where organisations and services sign up to improve people’s knowledge and access to local services. Frontline in west Essex is funded by Essex County Council and the NHS’s West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group. Uttlesford’s Council for Voluntary Services is helping to run the services. Click on the icon below for their catalogue of services.

Telephone support and consultations

If you need any support or a consultation for advice please phone the school and select OPTION 3 to speak to our Family Support Team.

Open parent support register to aid school learning

We need your support. If you feel that you can support the school in any way, please complete the form below. Thank you!