Early Help

At The Oval School, we recognise the challenges that families face in bringing up children.

Everyone needs support at some time in their lives, and therefore an ethos of Early Help is important in our school. There may be times when you need extra help and support. If this is the case, please come and speak to us, as we are here to help and listen.

We understand that from time to time, family life can have its complications, and that sometimes families may need support or additional help.

We believe that by working together, we can better support children and families. There are times when families may need support from a wide range of agencies or people, including:

  • Health services
  • Housing services
  • Family support workers
  • Financial support

And more. ‘Early Help’ means providing help for children, young people, and families, as soon as a problem starts to emerge, and where it is likely that issues will impact negatively on children’s outcomes.

Complete the Family Connect Form for signposted support

Level One Support:

Support for Everyone

Class Teacher
The class teacher is the important link between the child and home, and is most often the first person to speak to you if you have a concern.
Bereavement Support
We are able to support children who have suffered a bereavement. If we feel the pupil needs greater support, we will support with signposting you.
The Haven
If children are finding the playground too much, or have an injury that prevents them from playing outside, they can go to The Haven to play games and activities in a calm environment.
PSHE
We want our pupils to be happy, healthy, and well-rounded. Our PSHE curriculum will support hem in this journey. We follow six core themes that we build on yearly.
Attendance Support
We have an attendance team who will support families with all aspects of attendance. They work closely with parents to identify any barriers to attendance, provide advice and guidance, and signpost families to services and agencies that can offer additional support to help children attend school regularly.
SEND Coffee Mornings
Our SENDCo holds a coffee morning each term to support you as parents and as an opportunity to talk to other parents who are experiencing similar circumstances. We invite different agencies in to talk and support, as well.

Level Two Support:

Early Help

Hamish and Milo
This programme helps pupils understand their feelings, build confidence, and learn positive ways to manage worries and challenges. Through stories and activities, it supports children to develop friendships, resilience, and skills they may need to be happy and successful in school.
SEND Support
Our aim is to support pupils with additional needs to thrive at school and in everyday life. We provide equal opportunities to help all pupils feel valued, included, and supported within our school community. Parents can also access services, advice, and local support groups through the SEND local offer, which provides information for families of children and young people with SEND, whether or not they have an Educational Health Care Plan.
School Nurse
If a pupil’s medical needs or health concerns are affecting their attendance, we can work with families to make referrals to the school nurse. The school nurse can offer advice, support, and guidance around a range of health issues and enable access to appropriate services where needed.
Pastoral Manager
Our pastoral manager works closely with pupils and families to provide support, advice, and guidance. They can support with their emotional wellbeing and any worries they may have, ensuring that they feel safe, happy, and ready to learn. The pastoral manager also supports parents by offering advice and signposting families to services and agencies that can provide additional help when needed.
Compass
Compass provides support for pupils who may be experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing or mental health. They can support children develop coping strategies, build resilience, improve confidence, and manage worries, helping them to feel happier, healthier, and better to engage in school and everyday life.

Level Three Support:

External Support and Children's Services

Early Help Family Support
Early help provides support for families who may need additional support with challenges at home. This may include parenting, behaviour, emotional wellbeing, finances, housing, attendance, or accessing other services.
Pause Birmingham and Forward Thinking Birmingham
These services provide support for children, young people, and families who may be facing challenges that affect their wellbeing, emotional health, behaviour, or attendance. They can support with difficulties such as anxiety, low mood, emotional regulation, confidence, family circumstances, and other barriers that may impact a pupil’s success in school.
CASS
If you think a child is at risk of being harmed, CASS is where safeguarding concerns can be reported to the local authority. Contact Birmingham CASS on 0121 303 1888.

Useful links

The Children's Society

Pause Birmingham
View

Forward Thinking Birmingham

Home page
View