Family Support Worker
Ms Wilding is our Family Support Worker and their role in school is to provide support, advice and information to the families within our school community. To help you with any worries that you may have in relation to your child, their behaviour, wellbeing and someone to talk to if you need it!
Advice and support is confidential although concerns relating to the safeguarding of children will always be dealt with in accordance with the school's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies. They may not have all the answers, but hopefully, they can help you to work out how to find them!
Support for children includes:
- overseeing the staff mentor and peer mentor scheme
- support of Pupil Premium pupils
- promoting good attendance and punctuality
- promoting self-esteem and confidence
- promoting positive behaviour and positive attitudes to learning
- providing one-to-one support through a range of strategies
Support for families includes:
- providing information and signposting to other services in the local area
- liaising with a range of external services such as Social Care, Bucks Mind, One Can Foodbank, Mental Health Support Team and the Family Support Service
- assistance in completing paperwork and forms
- attendance and support at school and other agency meetings
Mrs Perry is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Ms Dandridge & Ms Wilding are additional safeguarding leads. If you ever have any concerns regarding the safety of a child at our school please feel free to contact them confidentially. They will only ever share information they have been told if they need to ensure a child’s safety.
If you need to contact the Family Support Worker please email fsw@thedownleyschool.co.uk or call the school office.
Safeguarding
Do you have any concerns about a child? Are you worried about your own family circumstances and would like advice?
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Anne Perry Deputy Headteacher.
Our additional Designated Safeguarding Lead's are Ms Leanne Dandridge Interim Head Teacher & Ms Lyn Wilding our Family Support Worker.
The school has a designated email address for safeguarding concerns: safeguarding@thedownleyschool.co.uk.
Speak to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads in school or alternatively see the link below for the Bucks Safeguarding Children's partnership. They have signposting, support and advice regarding safeguarding children and families in Bucks.
Visit the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service website for information on a range of topics relating to family life, from childcare, local services, education and family centres, to health, money and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The Buckinghamshire Family Information Service (BFIS) is a free, impartial service providing information, advice, and guidance for young people, families and professionals.
Mental Health Support Team- Please see the flyer below for the MHST. They provide fantastic support for children and families. Speak to the Family Worker or one of our DSL's if you believe a referral to the MHST will help
‘Walking With You’ is a parent led support group for anyone supporting children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties. You can take part discussing shared experiences with other parents and carers as well as having mental health professionals from CAMHs on-hand to support and answer any questions you may have. These sessions are currently being delivered over Microsoft Teams.
If you would like to join their session/s please contact Roxy Uritescu, Participation Lead, Barnardo’s Bucks CAMHs & Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust at: roxy.uritescu@ oxfordhealth.nhs.uk.
Christians Against Poverty (CAPUK) is a national charity helping those in debt crisis over the UK. The High Wycombe centre has been working in our community for over 6 years. Over that time, they have seen 62 local families go debt free!
Many of their clients are struggling with rent, council tax or utility arrears or are weighed down by repayments to loans, credit care or catalogues.
CAP will help anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. Our services are monitored to ensure that everybody receives the same caring service regardless of race, nationality, religion, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability.
If you are a households who may be struggling please look at their leaflet attached below.
