Support for Families at SS Mary and John’s Catholic Primary Academy 

SS Mary and John’s Catholic Primary Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all children.

The school works hard to support families when issues first arise. The school does this in conjunction with Wolverhampton’s Early Help Offer.

What is Early Help?

‘Early Help’ means providing help for children, young people and families as soon as problems start to emerge or where it is likely that issues will impact negatively on children’s outcomes.

Early help…

  • Is for children of all ages and not just the very young,
  • Can be provided at any point of need and;
  • Can be very effective in supporting a child, young person and/or their family to step down from statutory services as well as preventing the escalation of issues.
  • Is important because there is clear evidence that it results in better outcomes for children.

Early help is a term that describes much of the everyday work of schools.

Early Help in Wolverhampton

The vision of all partner organisations working with children and families in Wolverhampton is to improve children’s lives by working in partnership to raise aspirations, build achievement and protect the most vulnerable.

Early help services should support and strengthen families so that they can thrive.

Focused Pastoral Support

All families can have times, however, when difficulties arise and they either may not recognise it or may not know how to start putting things right. Without the right support early on, situations can easily get worse very quickly. Schools play a role in supporting families to address these difficulties through more focused pastoral support, which might include bringing in support via an external agency.

Early Help Assessment

For those children and families whose needs and circumstances make them more vulnerable, or where schools need the support of other agencies to meet the needs of the family, a coordinated multi-agency approach is usually best.

In Wolverhampton this is achieved through undertaking an Early Help Assessment and assigning a Lead Practitioner to work closely with the family to ensure they receive the support they require. Schools should be a key partner in any multi-agency work to support families.

For further information on how SS Mary and John’s Catholic Primary Academy can support your child and family, please contact Miss Greaves on 01902 558780