Hi my name is Michaela Carter-Hodge and I have worked here at Devonshire for 10 years, I started as a play worker and then as a learning support assistant. Two years ago I was given the opportunity to try something completely different and that is when I became the family support worker and deputy DSL. I now work with both parents and children and it is a job that I really love.

Please do not let my job title put you off, I work with lots of different families for lots of different reasons and sometimes we all need a little bit of extra support.

I am not here to judge, I am here to listen, advise and try and help where I can.

I may not have all the answers, but I will try my upmost hardest to find them.

What can the family support worker help my family with?

I can offer a friendly ear to listen to any worries you or your child may have.

I will try and offer advice where possible.

Any parenting concerns that you may have.

Early help – working together to support families before they reach crisis point.

Providing a safe place for your child to talk about any worries they may have on a 1:1 basis, working in line with the school’s safeguarding policies.

Signposting to outside agencies such as

-Bereavement support

-Support groups

-Young carer’s

When may a parent/carer ask for help?

-Help filling in forms

-E-safety such as parental controls

-Health problems that may be impacting on your child/children

-Struggling with child’s behaviour and routines, including sleep

-relationship breakdowns

-Early help

-Bereavement

-Domestic Abuse

-Debt/struggling to meet child’s basic needs.

-Risk of homelessness

-parenting courses

-Impact of a family member in prison

-Wellbeing.

-School nurse referrals

When may a child be signposted for help?

This may be a self-referral from parent or carer. It may also be that a member of staff such as a teacher has concerns or worries and may put the family support worker in touch.

I am outside the front of school in the morning and on the playground at school pick-up Monday-Friday or you can leave a message for me at the school office and I will get back to you.