Support for Families 

Family & Community Mentor

My name is Helen Harvey and I work with many families at Widney Junior School.

I can provide support and information so you are able to make informed choices that are best for your family.

I work to foster a link between school and home and encourage families to become involved in their child’s life within school.

This service is for anyone. No worry is ever to small, but families who could benefit from this support include those affected by:

• Difficulties or changes at home such as bereavement, separation or divorce.
• Challenging or difficult behaviour of children in school or in the home.
• Accessing the wide range of services available to you across the Solihull borough.

About me

I have worked at Widney Junior School since 2012 in various roles.

These have included:

• Teaching Assistant
• Senior Lunchtime Supervisor
• P. T. A member

Additionally, l am Level 2 trained in Autism, work with pupils as a Learning Mentor and Mental Health Youth First Aider, and I’m passionate about children’s overall wellbeing.
Therefore, l am able to support parents directly, with further information about a particular special educational need and will signpost parents to different organisations.

How can you contact me?

Please feel free to drop me an email directly to s55cfm@widney.solihull.sch.uk or to the office on: office@widney.solihull.sch.uk for a chat, discuss any questions or problems however big or small. l endeavour to support, listen and seek the right support and guidance, all with a friendly, welcoming smile. If you would like to book an appointment to discuss things further, please contact the school office by phone (0121 705 8516) or email, and I will get back to you to arrange a mutually convenient time.

Future events

Throughout the year, l will be planning some exciting opportunities, such as:

• First Aid training for parents
• Maths and English courses – delivered by Solihull college
• Jigsaw wellbeing courses for children and parents

Many more exciting events, will be announced later in the year. Events will be displayed on school website and notice board as you come into school.

BeKind school pantry

Widney Junior School are proud to be working with ‘Be Kind’.

Be Kind aims to improve the lives of those in need and less fortunate by providing kindness.

Be Kind and Widney Junior School have put together a ‘School Pantry’ of essential non-perishable goods to support families who are finding it difficult to maintain the weekly grocery shop due to the rising cost of living.

In the pantry you may find some items listed below.

• Cereal, coffee, teabags, soup, rice, Pasta, tinned items, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shower gel, cartons of long-life milk, biscuits

To arrange access to the School Pantry, please contact Miss Harvey

Useful websites & helplines

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES

• Solihull Community Advice Hub
• Solihull Children and Family Support
• Birmingham Solihull Women's Aid
• Safeguarding children and young people
• Childline
• Kooth - commissioned by the NHS, Local Authorities, charities and businesses to provide online anonymous and personalised mental health support for Children and Young People
• Roshni (forced marriage and honour based abuse helpline)
• Muslim Women's Helpline
• ParentWise Campaign- The new ParentWise campaign helps parents to find information and guidance and also where they can get help and support if they are worried about their children for any reason. 
• ‘My Family Coach’, is a free to register website which provides advice and support for a wide range of parenting topics (from the youngest children to older teenagers) such as friendships, screen time, school life, healthy living, communication and mental wellbeing amongst other areas. You are able to sign up for access at www.myfamilycoach.com

SOLIHULL PARENTS’ NETWORK

Solihull Local Authority have a  Solihull Parents Network that provides information on local events and services of interest to all families. 

The Parents’ Network also publishes a regular bulletin of events in the area, which is available from the main Parents’ Network page.

For more information please contact the Family Information Service by phone: 0800 389 8667 or by email: parentsnetwork@solihull.gov.uk.

If you are interested in receiving information about upcoming events, please complete the application form on the page.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

When children's mental health needs more direct support from a professional we can refer to the likes of Solar

Below are links to a useful video and websites aimed at Primary school aged children regarding emotional health and well-being. 

Looking after your mental and emotional health (children)

Wellbeing tips for Young People

The website links include self-help videos for young people with all sorts of tips on exercise, sleep, worry and how to take care on social media as well as advice and sources of support.

BEREAVEMENT SERVICES

Losing someone is one of the hardest things to face but it isn’t something that you have to tackle alone.

Solihull Bereavement Counselling Service

Community Bereavement Service - Birmingham St Mary's Hospice

Edward's Trust

Winston's Wish

USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS AND WEBSITES

Family Information Service- 0800-389-8667 or 0121-704-6008

Children’s Services- 0121-788-4300 or 0121-605-6060

Crisis Hotline Homeless- 0121-348-7950 or 0121-717-1515

Crisis Hotline Personal- 0121-507-0707

Citizen’s Advice Line- 0300-330-9019

Solihull Library- 0121-788-4380

Women’s Aid- 0808-800-0028/ 07891492327

Solihull Mental Health out of hours- 0121-301-0000

Solihull Housing- 0121-717-1515

Health Visitors- 0121 726 6755 or 0121 726 6756

National Domestic Violence Helpline – 24hour free phone- 0808 2000 247

Solar- 0121-301-2750

Solihull Admissions- 0121-704-6693

Solihull MIND- 0121-742-4941

SEND Team- 0121-704-6690

Debt Advice- 0121-717-1515

School Nurse Team- 0121 726 6754