Family support and well-being

We are pleased to introduce you to Suzanne King who is our new family support worker here at Antrobus St Mark's.

Suzanne will be working closely with our families and children to offer support and guidance.

I am pleased to introduce myself as your School Family Support Worker. I am a Parent myself, which may help to see things from the parents point of view. I have worked supporting Children and Families in related roles for a number of years and hold a recognised qualification.

My role is to provide advice, support and information to the Parents and families in our School. Support for Pupils and families includes:

• I can be a listening ear
• sign post you to services and work alongside other agencies
• Support to complete forms and paper work
• Liaising with local services such as housing and social care
• Support to attend and plan for meetings
• Referrals to local food banks and for financial assistance
• Providing students with 1:1 support around feelings and emotions

For families who require additional support, there is Team around The Family (TAF), which is a consent based process, working with myself and multiple agencies to provide the best support possible.

I can meet with you in school or at home and an appointment can be made through reception or you can email me directly [email protected] 

I am usually based at Antrobus St Mark’s School on a Monday and Great Budworth School on a Wednesday (9am – 12.30pm).

Below are some links to various different support websites. 

Taf a guide for parents and carers

www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

www.changing-lives-together.org.uk

midcheshire.foodbank.org.uk

Please see below some links to support you with both your own mental health but also that of your children.

Parents' Mental Health & Wellbeing - 10 Top Tips for Parents

child-mental-health-10-tips-for-parents

Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust was established in 1995 to provide information, advice and support for unpaid carers across Cheshire and Warrington. The Trust has offices in Northwich, Chester and Crewe. They are a network partner of Carers Trust giving Carers links to over 100 local carers organisations.

The Carers Trust Offers:

• Quarterly newsletter: For carers and professionals.

• Carer’s Helpline Monday to Friday 9-5: Offering information, advice and support to carers and professionals.

• Monthly support groups: Social group for carers in Frodsham, Winsford, Northwich, Neston and Chester to encourage peer support and to give a break from the caring role. Refreshments included.

• Regular training for carers: Training takes place in Northwich, Chester and Ellesmere Port and covers topics such as First Aid, Moving and Handling.

• Benefits advice, form filling and advocacy: Help with filling in forms for Blue Badge, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and PIP. Help with appeals and benefits checks.

• Weekly drop ins: Regular drop ins at Northwich, Chester and Ellesmere Port resource centres – call in for information, advice and support.

• Monthly lunch clubs: Lunch club in Northwich, Chester and Ellesmere Port for carers including light lunch and a speaker.

• Events for carers throughout the year: Including Carers Celebration Day, Carers Rights Day and days out.

• Working carer groups and carer support: Regular working carer evening groups in Northwich and Chester, and specialist working carer support for those carers who juggle a paid job with their caring role. Support for employers to become carer friendly.

• Early identification of carers in Primary Care: Working with GPs to identify new carers at an early stage in their caring role and refer them to appropriate support services

• Personal Budget: To help carers access a break from their caring role. Each break is personalised to the carer. Examples of past breaks include visiting relatives, a gym membership, a day out or theatre trip.

• Carers in Crisis Fund: Small amount of money available to carers who find themselves in financial difficulty. At the discretion of the Chief Officer.

Helpline: 0300 102 0008

(Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm) (answer phone outside of these hours)

Home - Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust (cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org) 

If you would like any further information or to be referred, for this service, by our Family Support Worker - please contact Suzanne: [email protected]  [email protected]