Sometimes we all need a little bit of help with family life and there are many difficulties that are common across all types of families.  Accessing support when you need it will benefit you and your family in the long term and can make everyone feel much better when things improve. As a school, we work hard to provide Early Help support to families within our school community. Early Help support aims to provide advice and support to families, with the objective of preventing escalation to higher level services. It can involve working alongside a variety of agencies to ensure the right support is offered when needed.

My name is Claire Smith and I am the Family Liaison Officer supporting children and families at Beechcroft St Paul's. 

My role in school is to provide support, advice and information to families who are facing a challenge or difficulty no matter how small. I can help you with any worries that you may have in relation to your child's education, behaviour and wellbeing and I can also be a listening ear if you need someone to talk to. I can meet with you in school at a time to suit you.  Advice and support is confidential although concerns relating to the safeguarding of children will always be dealt with in accordance with the school's Safeguarding Policy.  I may not have all the answers, but hopefully I can work with you to bring about positive change!

Support can include (but isn’t limited to) supporting parents/ carers:

• Who are experiencing difficulties in managing their child’s behaviour or who have concerns around their child’s behaviour.
• Whose children are not attending school regularly
• Who may need support on a wide range of issues impacting on family life
• Who are worried about their child’s emotional health
• Who would like support around implementing routines at home
• Who would like support around adjusting to any changes within the family home
• Who would benefit from being signposted to more specific and targeted services in the local community including health, housing and wellbeing services
• To discuss any concerns or worries in a safe secure environment.

Along with the wider Pastoral Team, I can support children in school on a 1-to-1 basis and in small groups by listening and working with them around a variety of issues including:

• Supporting around understanding and managing emotions
• Promoting confidence and self-esteem
• Supporting around key transitions, including moving between classes and schools
• Support around friendships and relationships
• Support around family issues and things that may be happening at home eg. Bereavement, new baby, parent’s separation/ divorce, family breakdown, parental health and well-being needs. 
• Promoting good attendance and punctuality
• Promoting positive behaviour and positive attitudes to learning

Community Support for Families 

The Nest

The Nest is a not-for-profit collection of community social supermarkets based in Weymouth. We provide cheap, good quality, nutritious food to families and individuals who have limited disposable income in Westham and Littlemoor areas. We also have a social cafe with member discounts in our Westham branch for those wanting to take advantage of more of our great food and beverages at huge discount prices.