Family Support

My name is Catherine Allcott and I am the Family Support Worker for Welford, Sibbertoft and Sulby Primary school, as well as Spratton and Guilsborough Primary schools.

I’m the mum of two teenagers, one of whom was born extremely prematurely and is a surviving twin. I think that this is possibly how I have ended up doing the job I do because I would like to feel that when families are experiencing problems and worries, they can turn to me for impartial support, advice and comfort.

What is a Family Support Worker?

I like to think of my role as being the ‘bridge’ between home and school. I’m interested in your child’s wellbeing (and yours too!) because if children and their primary carers feel content and settled, children’s learning will follow, naturally…

What can I help with?

Advice and support around:

• Your child’s behaviour,
• Your child’s additional needs,
• All aspects of parenting (including help with rules/boundaries, online safety etc)
• Mental Health (for your child AND for you),
• Your relationship with your partner (including ‘arguing better’, domestic abuse, separation or divorce)
• Finances (including support with budgeting, debt, food banks etc),
• Housing,
• The home/school relationship

The list of things I can support with is long! If you have a question or problem that isn’t covered above, please get in touch with me – c.allcott@pdet.org.uk. If I don’t have the answer, I probably know someone who does!

How to contact me:

Email me – c.allcott@pdet.org.uk. This is my preferred method, simply because I can arrange to speak with you without distractions.

Telephone Abbie Underwood or Zoe Pallot and tell them you would like to speak to me.

Speak to me when I am in school (usually Tuesday).

The Early Help Assessment - What's That?

Right Help, Right Time

Being a parent or carer is one of the most important jobs there is, but it is also one of the hardest. As a parent or carer, you are key to giving children a happy, stable childhood. If one person in your family has a problem – it might be a child, young person or adult – then the whole family are often affected. An Early help Assessment (EHA) is a great way of working together to solve or manage problems. We can ask other agencies to help us if we want to and the important thing to remember is that an EHA is done with you, not to you. EHA’s do not involve Social Workers and require your agreement to do anything.

Follow this link for more information https://nctrust.co.uk/support-for-children-and-families/

or drop me a line c.allcott@pdet.org.uk, or speak to me when I’m next at school.

Remember - tackling problems or worries early helps stop them from getting bigger and I can help.

Sources of Information

Support & advice for families | NSPCC - parenting support including online safety advice

Parenting Support and Resources | Northampton Children's Trust – parenting courses and sources of support

Family Life — Hope For Families - parenting support and bookable courses

Emotion Coaching Resources for Professionals – emotion coaching is used in school as a way of managing emotions and problem solving.

Reducing parental conflict package – from the charity One plus One.

Family Hubs | West Northamptonshire Council - information about face to face support available locally.

West Northamptonshire Council - support available to residents of West Northamptonshire, including family support, financial support and wellbeing support

Support for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities | Northampton Children's Trust

Local Offer | West Northamptonshire Council – services, support and activities for children with SEND

Enfold - Your local autism information hub

Look out for the Staying Connected links in the parents newsletters – lots of information about free or low cost opportunities for children and families.