Welcome to the Family Support Worker page.

My name is Martin Richards and I am the Family Support Worker for Pennington C of E Junior School. My role is to support the children and families in our school community. 

What does my role involve as Family Support Worker?

As the school’s Family Support Worker, I can provide information and support to families and children to get them the help they feel they may require. I am able to promote and enhance the relationship between home and school, often working alongside the teachers to reach successful outcomes for the children and families. I work in partnership with a wide range of agencies and professionals to deliver support and interventions and represent the school in a variety of settings. I can help support parents where it’s appropriate, with useful strategies and routines. I can offer emotional and social support for children whilst they are in school or signpost you to outside agencies, organisations and professionals if their support or advice is relevant.

Martin Richards – Family Support Worker 

Please call the Office if you would like to contact me or email directly at m.richards@pennington-jun.hants.sch.uk

What does a Family Support Worker do?

• I offer impartial support, advice and guidance to parents and carers.
• I am a School-based service that provides free support with:
  • Parenting concerns
  • School transition
  • School attendance
  • Confidence building
  • Mental well-being
  • Relationship breakdown
  • Accessing local services
  • Behaviour management
  • Bereavement
  • School holiday activities
  • Benefits / housing / debt.
• I am also part of a team who support children on a 1:1 basis, listening and working with them through the Thrive Approach.
  • Development of pupil self-esteem and confidence
  • Friendship issues / bullying, including social networking
  • Family issues: bereavement, new baby in the family, parent’s separation / divorce.

How do I do it?

As a Family Support Worker I give support to families in many different ways including:

• One-to-one support, working with parents and carers including talking and listening. Finding practical strategies with parents/carers and children to improve learning, behaviour and relationships.
• Referring and signposting to local services

If you would like a friendly chat, I can be found outside the school reception at 'drop off' most days or, alternatively, please contact me directly at m.richards@pennington-jun.hants.sch.uk to make an appointment or leave a message for me at the school office.

Useful Information

Below is a list of useful information that I have come accross that may benefit some of our families that has been shared via our Local Children's Partnership.

• New Forest Basics Bank – Providing emergency food for those in need – by referral & will deliver to houses. 75% of people have deliveries
• FareShare’s Mobile Larder – 3 locations weekly – New Forest Basics Bank – no referral needed & small contribution asked for
• The Food Rescue Kitchen – New Forest Basics Bank – no referral needed & free
• Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills - Citizens Advice – CAB can support families with energy bills with a one off payment. Other grants are available and CAB can offer support depending on circumstances. There is a Freephone Advice Line - 0808 278 7860.

Warm Hub and Family Meal

Lymington Baptist church offers a weekly warm space and hot meal for local families. You need to give them a call or drop then an email to let them know your family is coming along - and they can even provide transport from Pennington - the pick up point is Pennington Junior School car park. Your whole family is welcome.

Useful Web Sites

• Are You Worrying about the Cost of Living? Get Help in the New Forest Now at - New Forest Citizens Advice - https://newforestcab.org.uk/are-you-worrying-about-the-cost-of-living-get-help-in-the-new-forest-now/ and New Forest District Council - https://newforest.gov.uk/costofliving
• Autism Information & Advice - http://www.autism.org.uk/enquiry
• Bullying UK - https://www.bullying.co.uk/
• Childline - Information on internet & mobile phone safety, bullying, eating disorders and support- https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/mobile-phone-safety/
• Children's Food Trust - Information on children's food, health & nutrition - http://www.childrensfoodtrust.org.uk/
• Cool Milk - http://www.coolmilk.com/
• Countryside Education Trust - http://www.cet.org.uk/
• Fit Fest Hampshire - https://www.fitfesthampshire.com/
• Hampshire Home to School Transport Applications - https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/schooltransport
• Internet Matters - E Safety & staying safe online - https://www.internetmatters.org/advice
• NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
• Young Minds - Emotional and resilience support for children and young adults - https://youngminds.org.uk/

Internet Safety

• CEOPS Reporting -  CEOP is a law enforcement agency and is there to keep children and young people safe from sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline. Explore one of the six Thinkuknow websites for advice about staying safe when you're on a phone, tablet or computer.