Family Liaison Officer (FLO) - Mrs Amy Taylor

Email address - ataylor@lunsford.kent.sch.uk

Phone number - 01732 843352

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I’d like to introduce myself as the Family Liaison Officer for Lunsford Primary School.

My role is to promote the wellbeing and education of the children who attend this school, and in the process provide support and understanding to their families, as well as liaison between them and the school.

Communication is key, and I encourage both you and your children to talk to me about any subject that may be causing concern, and I will endeavour to provide support, advice and guidance where possible.

You are welcome to speak to me in person or over the phone, or even just send me an email or text message.  I will be the friendly face, the ear to listen and the shoulder to cry on.  Along with the entire staff at Lunsford Primary School I would like you and your children to see the school as a safe and friendly environment, not only to learn and grow, but to share concerns and worries.

I have over 20years experience in child and adult safeguarding, and public protection.  However, I do not purport to know everything, and will always liaise with or refer to more experienced colleagues and partner agencies when needed; to ensure you are provided with the best and most appropriate advice and support.

I am able to assist with:

• Signposting to local organisations, local charities and partner agencies
• Drawing & Talking therapy
• Support with family breakdowns
• Support for families in meetings with the school
• Help with attendance and punctuality
• Bereavement support
• Early Help referrals
• School health referrals for emotional and wellbeing support 

Additionally, there are links and contact details to support services (listed below) that may be of assistance.  There are also links to and information about other support services within our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies (see our website 'Policies') section.

Please don’t hesitate to come and speak to me, or contact me.  My email address is ataylor@lunsford.kent.sch.uk and I can be contacted via the school office on 01732 843352.  

Should you need to speak to someone and I am unavailable, please contact

Mr Anscombe (Head Teacher), Mrs Lomax (Deputy Head Teacher) or Mrs Beckett (SENCO).

I look forward to working for you all.

Yours faithfully,

Amy

Useful information & links to support resources:

The below information is to provide quick access to public services and charities who may be able to support you, your child and your family and will be updated from time to time with new or additional resources.

Should you or anyone you know have safeguarding concerns for a child or family then you should report it to Children's Integrated Services on 03000 41 11 11, the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or Childline on 0800 1111.

If you or someone else is risk of imminent harm or a crime is being committed then you should call Kent Police on 999, and for non-emergencies call 101.

Kent Family Hubs – www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/kent-family-hub/ - TMCC@kent.gov.uk – 03000 418008 – Facebook and Instagram @Tonbridge and Malling Family Hubs – Instagram @Tonbridge and Malling Family Hubs (11-19).  Local support and services for parents, carers, children or young people to support your family journey.  From newborns to 19-year-olds, (25-year-olds SEND).  Includes pregnancy and the first 5 years, schools, mental health, finances, SEND etc.

Salus Youth Group - https://salusgroup.org.uk/service/youth-service/

SALUS – www.salusgroup.org.uk/support-services/tonbridge-malling-district/ - Salus is an organisation that exists to improve the lives of children – activities in the Ditton and Snodland area for young people aged 8+ years.

Switch Youth Services – www.switchcafe.co.uk – inclusive open access youth café ages 11-21years, enjoy, relax, socialise and access support if required.

Solihull Approach – www.inourplace.co.uk – Understanding your child, free parenting courses dedicated to improving emotional health and wellbeing in parents, children, adults and grandparents.

NHS Kent Child – www.family.kentcht.nhs.uk/child - Support for children’s development from baby through to teenager.  Including health, emotional wellbeing, school, SEND, DV, family finances etc.

Princess Project – www.princessproject.co.uk – providing mums and their families with support for physical, emotional, social and spiritual support.

School Health Service - https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/school-health/

SPA – Single Point of Access – 0800 783 9111 – a central point for screening, triage and signposting for young people’s mental health in Kent – www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/types-of-send/social-and-emotional-mental-health-needs

Kooth - https://www.kooth.com/ A free online support service for children and young people aged 10-16. Counsellors are available from 12pm-10pm on weekdays and 6pm-10pm on weekends. Online resources available. No waiting lists and support is available 24/7 from qualified practitioners.

SHOUT – 24/7 text service for anyone in a mental health crisis.  Text SHOUT to 85258.

Childline - https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/

Young Minds – www.youngminds.org.uk/parents/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/school-anxiety-and-refusal/ If your child is anxious about school, or they are unable to go to school, we have advice on supporting them and working with the school and other services.

Young Minds Parenting Helpline – www/youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline/ - 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm).

Stem4 – www.stem4.org.uk – charity that supports positive mental health in teenagers with information, apps and education. Apps include Clear Fear (www.clearfear.co.uk), Move Mood www.movemood.co.uk,   Worth Warrior www.worthwarrior.co.uk and Combined Minds (www.combinedminds.co.uk).

Calm Harm App – www.calmharm.co.uk – Calm Harm is a free app to help teenagers manage the urge to self-harm.

Kent Resilience Hub - https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/  Supporting young people to cope better with the pressures of everyday life

With You – Mind and Body – www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/mind-and-body-in-kent - supports children and young adults who are self-harming and/or struggling with their mental health.

Release The Pressure Free Phone: 0800 107 0160 open 24 hours a day website: https://www.kent.gov.uk/social -care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure This service is open to anyone in Kent and Medway aged 16 and over and is 24 hours per day to provide you with confidential support.

Samaritans
Phone: 116 123 (Freephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) Email: jo@samaritans.org Website: www.samaritans.org

With You - https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/ offer counselling sessions which you can self-refer online

IESO - https://www.iesohealth.com/en - gb - on line counselling

Mind – www.westkentmind.org.uk – Mental Health support.

Live Well – NHS – www.nhs.uk/live-well - Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.  5 Steps to mental wellbeing, practical advice to help you feel mentally and emotionally better.

IMAGO – www.imago.community – provides support and opportunities for young carers. Telephone – 01892 530330

Reducing Parental Conflict – www.seeitdifferently.org – free videos to help you communicate better with your partner or ex-partner, and to find a way forward in difficult situations.

Reducing Parental Conflict – www.goodthingsfoundation.org – A digital resource to help parents recognise and manage conflict within their relationships.

Education and Children – www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children - Kent County Council information around educational needs such as Childcare, Pre-school and Schools, Home Education, SEND etc.

Coram – https://www.coram.org.uk/ legal advice on contact, 0300 3305480.

Gingerbread - https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/ Information for Single Parents to help them support themselves and their family.

NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ - Information about keeping children safe online with several resources and who to contact if you have concerns.

Internet Matters - https://www.internetmatters.org/ - practical tips to take action and make your child’s smartphone safer to use.

Childline - https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/ - safety tips and advice for young people when online.