Family Liaison Officer
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 19 years’ 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
Support Information Leaflets
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.
FAMILY SUPPORT
- also see Outcome - The Lancaster Model (TLM) Questionnaire ‘School Readiness and Wellbeing Review’ (bottom of page)
Home Start - https://www.home-start.org.uk/ - support around a variety of issues; finances, mental health (adult and child), relationships, disabilities and more
Food Banks – The Trussel Trust - https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/ - food banks, food vouchers and food parcels
Better Health / Healthy Families - https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/
Better Health / Every Mind Matters - https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
MIND - Mental Health support - https://www.mind.org.uk/ - 0300 123 3393
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) - Mental Health support - https://www.thecalmzone.net/ - 0800 585858
The Samaritans - Support & Someone to Talk to - https://www.samaritans.org/ - 116 123
Free School Meals - https://solutions.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eb38fe5bd80646334b9ec2592&id=b5aa129d6a&e=33cd9e3d53
Parent Kind - Advice and support for you and your child with their education - https://www.parentkind.org.uk/
Children's Centres - https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/childcare-and-pre-school/childrens-centres
- Woodlands Children's Centre - Woodlands Childrens Centre, Chapman Way, East Malling, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6SD
- Snodland Youth and Children's Centre - Holmesdale School Site, Malling Road, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5JG
- Burham Children's Centre - Burham Children's Centre, Bell Lane, Burham, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3SY
- West Borough Children's Centre - Greenway (off Queens Road), Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8TL
- Howard de Walden Children's Centre - Bluett Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2UG
- Eastborough Children's Centre - Vinters Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 5DX
- Sunshine Children's Centre - Stagshaw Close, Postley Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6TL
- Greenfields Children's Centre - Rutland Way, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 8DR
- The Meadow Children's Centre - Furfield Close, Park Wood, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 9JR
Family Lives - https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice - advice on all aspects of family life from bonding with your new baby, dealing with tantrums, positive discipline, bullying, communicating with teens and divorce and separation - 0808 800 2222, email askus@familylives.org.uk
Kent Adult Education – Offering parenting courses, some of which are free and can potentially be completed virtually. https://www.kentadulteducation.co.uk/course-areas/family-courses/parenting/
Citizen’s Advice Bureau - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ - benefits, work, debt, housing, law and courts, immigration and health
Housing – Kent Home Choice - https://www.kenthomechoice.org.uk/choice/default.aspx
KCC Housing - https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/care-and-support/housing-and-care-homes
West Kent Housing - https://www.westkent.org/about-us/
Golding Homes - https://www.goldinghomes.org.uk/about-us
CAFCASS – Legal matters regarding children when parents separate/divorce - https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/
Shelter - https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/emergency_grants_loans_and_money_help
Government Information - https://www.gov.uk/budgeting-help-benefits
Maidstone Borough Council - Crisis Support - https://maidstone.gov.uk/home/primary-services/benefits/primary-areas/money-advice/tier-2-primary-areas/crisis-management
KCC - Crisis Support - (KSAS) - https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support/urgent-financial-help-and-extra-support/kent-support-and-assistance-service
CHILDREN'S MENTAL & PHYSICAL HEALTH
Kent Educational Psychology Service - Parent Consultation hotline - kepscommunitysupport@kent.gov.uk
If using this service, when emailing please include the following information:
your name;
- phone number;
- a convenient time to call (morning or
afternoon)
- your child’s education phase e.g. early years,
primary school, secondary school;
- a brief description of what you wish to
discuss.
ELSA - Emotional Literacy Support Assistants - https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/
Young Minds - https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline-and-webchat/
NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
- Help for adults concerned about a child; call us on 0808 800 5000
- Help for children and young people; call Childline on 0800 1111
- PANTS, the underwear rule - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/
KOOTH - https://www.kooth.com/ - online mental wellbeing community; free, safe and anonymous support
Kent Resilience Hub - https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/ - Supporting young people to cope better with the pressures of everyday life
Mood Spark - https://moodspark.org.uk/ - young people aged 10-16 can learn how to look after their emotional and mental health and find ways to help them bounce back when life gets tough
Counselling - https://www.fegans.org.uk/ and https://spurgeons.org/
School Health - https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/school-health/primary-school-aged-four-to-11/
ERIC - https://www.eric.org.uk/ - Children’s Bowel and Bladder charity
CYMPHS/NELFT - Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services/North East London NHS Foundation Trust - https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-kent-medway
Dandelion Time - https://dandeliontime.org.uk/ - Dandelion Time gives children and families time and space to love and trust again, time to heal from emotional trauma and abuse, time to rebuild confidence and strengthen relationships, and time to develop skills and aspirations for a brighter future - families take part in practical farm and craft activities in which they engage with the natural world and processes, bringing therapeutic and developmental benefits whilst families enjoy being together in a relaxed supportive environment
IASK - Information, advice and support about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for children, young people up to age 25, parents and carers https://www.iask.org.uk/
New Family Hospice Service / Support
There is a new service offered to all families facing a life limiting illness. The aim of this service is to increase anticipatory grief support for families, ensuring earlier engagement with palliative care and hospices and ensuring children are involved and supported when an adult close to them has a life limiting illness.
This service is being run in partnership with Heart of Kent Hospice and Hold On Letting Go. Further information can be found below.
Heart Of Kent Hospice | (hokh.org)
CHILD SAFEGUARDING
Childline - https://www.childline.org.uk/ - call 0800 1111
Hollie Guard – Personal safety app for your/your children’s phone - https://hollieguard.com/
Project Salus - https://salusgroup.org.uk/ - 01303 817470
KCC Children’s Integrated Services (Early Help & Social Services) - Central Referral Unit (Front Door) - 03000 41 11 11
EARLY HELP (West Kent) –
- Maidstone - 03000 42 23 40 - MaidstoneEarlyHelp@kent.gov.uk
- Tonbridge and Malling - 03000 42 15 76 - EarlyHelpNotificationT&M@kent.gov.uk
- Tunbridge Wells - 03000 41 62 00 - TunbridgeWellsEarlyHelp@kent.gov.uk
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
Holding On Letting Go - https://holdingonlettinggo.org.uk/
Slide Away - https://www.slideaway.org/
Winston’s Wish - supports bereaved children, young people, their families and the professionals who support them - https://www.winstonswish.org/about-us/
DOMESTIC ABUSE
NCDV – National Centre for Domestic Violence - https://www.ncdv.org.uk/
- Call 0800 970 2070
- Text NCDV to 60777
- Email office@ncdv.org.uk
- Domestic Abuse and Violence Emergency Legal Protection
Live Well Kent - https://livewellkent.org.uk/service/domestic-abuse/ (Choices) - 0800 917 9948
Domestic Abuse Services in Kent - https://www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk/
- Call 0808 168 9111
Rising Sun - http://www.risingsunkent.com/
- Service for both parents and children
GALOP – Support for the LGBT+ community - https://galop.org.uk/
The Freedom Programme - https://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/ email - help@freedomprogramme.co.uk and phone 01942 262 270
Karma Nirvana - Domestic Abuse, Forced Marriage, Honour Based Abuse/Violence - https://karmanirvana.org.uk/ - 0800 5999 247
Mankind - https://www.mankind.org.uk/ - Support for men - 01823 334244
Respect (for DA perpetrators) - https://respectphoneline.org.uk/ - 0808 802 4040
CRIME
Kent Police – https://www.kent.police.uk/ - 999 in emergencies OR talk to one of the 101 operators at www.kent.police.uk/contact
Victim Support - https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/ or call 0808 168 9111
Additional support resources by area:
MID KENT
KAT Autism/Asperger Syndrome Parents Support Group - Maidstone
Contact: Jo Blamires - Tel: 01634 405168 E-mail jo@kentautistic.com (Children)
Contact: Emilymay Miles - Tel: 01634 405168 E-mail emilymay@kentautistic.com (Adults)
KAT Autism/Asperger Syndrome Parents Support Group - Ashford
Contact: Jo Blamires - Tel: 01634 405168 E-mail jo@kentautistic.com (Children)
Contact: Emilymay Miles - Tel: 01634 405168 E-mail emilymay@kentautistic.com (Adults)
ASD Ashford Support Group
Drop in sessions weekly on Tuesday’s 10:00am -2:00pm. One to one appointments available on
Thursday’s.123 County Square Shopping Centre, Elwin Road, Ashford TN23 1AE. For further information:
Tel: 07716 469637 E-mail: asdashfordgroup@gmail.com Website: www.ASDashford.com *Also on Facebook*
Shepway Autism Support Group
Covering Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. Youth club every Friday 5:30pm-8:00pm age 11+ at Hythe
Bay Youth Centre. New parents/carers monthly coffee group. At The Beacon, Folkestone on the first
Monday of the month, contact phone number is 07930 254729
For further information:
Website: www.shepwayautism.org
E-mail: contact@shepwayautism.org
Bower Grove Parent Support Group
Based in Maidstone. Open to parents/carers of children with special needs including those on the autistic
spectrum. Contact Jo Cousins E-mail: psg.bowergrove@btinternet.com Tel: 01622-726773 during school
hours. www.bower-grove.kent.sch.uk/ select “parent support”
WEST KENT
KAT Autism/Asperger Syndrome Parents Support Group - Tunbridge Wells
Contact: Jo Blamires Tel: 01634-405168 E-mail: jo@kentautistic.com (Children)
Contact: Emilymay Miles tel: 01634-405168 E-mail: emilymay@kentautistic.com (Adults)
Helen Allison School Parent/Carer Support Group
Meets weekly on Friday mornings, during term time. Children are welcome but must be supervised.
Fridays at 10am – 11.30am At: Emmanuel Baptist Church Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA121BB
3rd floor. If you are interested in attending, please contact Tim Cook: tim.cook@nas.org.uk 07990-742081
Tonbridge Carers FIRST Support Group for carers of children with Autism/Aspergers
Meets monthly on a Monday between 7:30pm-9:30pm at Angel Centre in Tonbridge. Contact carers first Tel:
0300 3031555 for details and to register.
MIND Support Group
Support group for parents/carers of children with ASD. Meets weekly on Mondays 10:00am-11:30am
including holidays 34 St Johns Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 3LW. For further information: E-mail:
asd@westkentmind.org.uk Phone: 01732-744950
Support Groups – Beams
Monthly support group for parents/carers of children with ASD/other disabilities. Venues including Swanley,
Gravesend and Northfleet. You are welcome to attend all/any of the groups (diagnosis not necessary). Further
information including addresses/times/dates can be found on the website www.wearebeams.org.uk or phone:
01322-668501 E-mail: admin@wearebeams.org.uk
Fathers Club – Beams
Support group for Fathers of children on the Autistic Spectrum. Facilitator – Andy Young. Monthly group on a
Thursday 7:30pm. Beams, Allsworth Court, 38-40 St Davids Road, Hextable, BR8 7RJ. E-mail:
fathersclubkent@outlook.com Phone: 01322-668501
Evening Talks
For parents/carers of children with ASD. Stone St Mary School, Dartford, DA9 1EF, 6:45pm-8:45pm. For
further information E-mail: lois.spearing@nhs.net
MEDWAY
KAT Autism/Asperger Syndrome Parents Support Group - Medway
Contact: Jo Blamires Tel: 01634-405168 E-mail: jo@kentautistic.com (Children)
Contact: Emilymay Miles Tel: 01634-405168 E-mail: emilymay@kentautistic.com (Adults)
MAGIC Medway autism group and information centre
Coffee mornings, youth groups, training courses, discussion groups with visiting professionals, holiday activity
days, Monkey Bizz sessions, family activities.
For further information check or website or contact the office between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tel:
01634-570706 website www.medway-magic.org E-mail: admin@medway-magic.org
Outcome - The Lancaster Model (TLM) Questionnaire ‘School Readiness and Wellbeing Review’
Kent School Health have reviewed the results from this questionnaire (2022), which was completed by parents of Reception classes of over 450 schools in Kent. The support most mentioned topics were in the following health concern areas, and next to them Kent Health have provided resources pertinent to these concerns (see below).
For parents; smoking, alcohol, diet
Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk) - Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, get active or quit smoking, Better Health is here with lots of free tools and support. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.
One You Kent | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (kentcht.nhs.uk) - Whether you want to lose weight, get active, quit smoking, or just feel better about life One You Kent is here to support YOU.
Oral health
Oral health promotion resources | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (kentcht.nhs.uk) – Here you will find some oral health promotion resources that are useful for parents, adults with special needs and their carers, and professionals.
Dental services - NHS (www.nhs.uk) – Information about NHS dental services, how to find an NHS dentist and how much treatment costs.
Continence
Home - ERIC - Find out how you can keep your child's bowel and bladder working properly from birth. Clinically approved information and resources to help you and your child.
Immunisations
Immunisation Team | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (kentcht.nhs.uk) - The NHS has a guide to help you understand the vaccines offered in the UK and when to have them. It also explains how they work and why they're safe and important.
Sleep
Sleep hygiene in children and young people | Great Ormond Street Hospital (gosh.nhs.uk) – Here you will find an information sheet from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) explaining about sleep hygiene. Having good sleep hygiene can help your child both to settle to sleep and to stay asleep.
Sleep problems in young children - NHS (www.nhs.uk) - Lots of young children find it difficult to settle down to sleep and will wake up during the night. For some people, this might not be a problem. But if you or your child are suffering from a lack of sleep, there are some simple techniques you can try.