Support for Families
At The Aspire Academy we recognise the challenges that families face. There may be times when you need extra help and support. If this is the case, please come and talk to us as there are many ways in which we can help. We can help to plan specific support for families where we can all work together to set and achieve outcomes.
Community Engagement
Hello! My name is Jayne Purshall, and I am the Community Engagement Officer at Aspire. My job is to help you and your family when you are worried or need support.
I can help with things like relationships, behaviour, feelings, or other problems at home, such as health or money worries.
I am also a parent, so I know that family life can sometimes feel hard.
I can:
- Help you find people and services that can support you.
- Talk to other services with you, like housing or social care.
- Go to meetings with you at school or with other services.
- Help you fill in forms and letters.
- Help you join parent groups or workshops.
I am based at Aspire and will be able to meet with you at school, at your home or in the local community if you prefer. You are welcome to have a chat with me to see how I can help you and your family either in person or by telephone.
Advice and support are confidential, although concerns relating to safeguarding children will always be dealt with using Aspire’s Safeguarding Children Policy
How to get in touch:
Telephone: 01905 455422
Mobile: 07432 503836
Email: Jpurshall@theaspireacademy.org.uk
The Aspire Academy
Bridgwater Road, Worcester, WR4 9FQ
SEND Parents Survey Results
Autumn 2024-25 can be found here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/AnalysisPage.aspx?AnalyzerToken=2Xqc2Nc8MA8htlvyJK2VwCvRzUSMgFDB&id=nlZAg8pdh06p8jbyWxtpTp4j3WSlz7lBvDQ2idt-hHVUQUJMMEtEMEtaUTJDVkJCOEk5TlJWNFZKSS4u
Summer 2023-24 can be found here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/AnalysisPage.aspx?AnalyzerToken=2Xqc2Nc8MA8htlvyJK2VwCvRzUSMgFDB&id=nlZAg8pdh06p8jbyWxtpTp4j3WSlz7lBvDQ2idt-hHVUQUJMMEtEMEtaUTJDVkJCOEk5TlJWNFZKSS4u
Act Early
It can be hard to know what to do if you’re worried someone close is expressing extreme views or hatred, which could lead to them harming themselves or others. Working with other organisations, the police protect vulnerable people from being exploited by extremists through a Home Office programme called Prevent.
Act early and tell us your concerns in confidence. You won’t be wasting our time and you won’t ruin lives, but you might save them.
Advice to Parents & Carers on Gangs
Advice on gangs – The vast majority of young people are not involved in gangs and want nothing to do with them. However, the behaviour of the small number of young people who are involved has a significant impact
on communities, on their families and associates, as well as themselves.
This leaflet sets out some information to help parents identify and respond if their children are affected by gangs.
You can also call the NSPCC helpline on 0800 800 5000 and trained advisors can support you.
Anna Freud – National Centre for Children and Families
Their aim is to transform current mental health provision in the UK by improving the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of treatment. They bring together leaders in neuroscience, mental health, social care and education to work together to improve understanding and practice.
Below is a guide to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and students during periods of disruption.
Anna Freud: Supporting schools & colleges
The Anti-Bullying Alliance
The Anti-bullying Alliance is a coalition of organisations and individuals working together to stop bullying and create safe environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn. They welcome membership from any organisation or individual that supports this vision. The ABA coordinates Anti-Bullying Week each November and is the national voice for evidence based practice in relation to the prevention of bullying between children and young people.
ASB Help (Anti-Social Behaviour Help)
Are you suffering with noisy neighbours? Are people making your life a nightmare because of their behaviour? Are you unsure where to turn? Or have you reported it and no one seems to be listening?
Barnardo’s
Barnardo’s transforms the lives of the most vulnerable children across the UK through the work of our services, campaigning and research expertise. They believe they can bring out the very best in every child whether the issue is child poverty, Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), disability or domestic violence.
‘Beyond The Gate’
‘Beyond The Gate’ is a school based approach in response to the society issues of youth violence and gang culture. The case study was written by Steve Warner, Deputy Head at St Mary’s High School in Hertfordshire.
CEOP Command
The NCA’s CEOP Command (formerly the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) works with child protection partners across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account. We protect children from harm online and offline, directly through NCA led operations and in partnership with local and international agencies.
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
A UK charity focussed on the needs of people with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges, and their families.
Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
Child Safety on TikTok: Parent Factsheet
TikTok is a video-sharing app. Users can upload and share short videos of themselves lip-syncing to songs or acting out comedy sketches, and add special effects. They can gain followers (‘fans’) and browse other people’s videos.
You may have heard of the app by its previous name: Musical.ly. Everything that was on Musical.ly is now on TikTok. If your child previously had a Musical.ly account they will be able to access their content on TikTok.
The age recommendation is 13 and above. However, you don’t have to prove your age when creating an account, so younger children can still use it easily. It’s most popular with under-16s.
TikTok is free to download on Android and iOS devices (Apple phones and tablets). It carries ads and offers in-app purchases. It has about 150 million active users worldwide and is available in over 30 languages.
Please read the TikTok-parent-factsheet for further information
Childline
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children & young people up to age 19. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything – no problem is too big or too small. Call free on 0800 1111, have a 1-2-1 chat online or send an email.
Childnet International – Parents and Carers Toolkit
The internet provides a space for children to communicate, explore, laugh and learn. There are lots of ways parents and carers can support them in doing these things safely. This toolkit provides three resources that offer practical tips and advice on different aspects of keeping your child safe online. They can help support parents and carers of any age child to start discussions about their online life, to set boundaries around online behaviour and technology use, and to find out where to get more help and support.
Childnet – Advice on Key Topics
Childnet – Parents & Carers Resource sheet
The Children’s Society
The Children’s Society is a national charity that runs local projects, helping children and young people when they are at their most vulnerable, and have nowhere left to turn.untitled (17)Gingerbread provide advice and practical support for single parents. Expert advisers answer their helpline, this website is packed full of useful information and they offer training too. They also campaign to improve the lives of all single parent families and because they are a national charity, it’s all free.
Child Exploitation – Every year, thousands of children in the UK are exploited. Some have been groomed into county lines drug trafficking, others face sexual abuse in their own communities. No matter the form of child exploitation, the language we use to talk about young people can often decide if they are kept safe or put more at risk.
Child to Parent Violence – Child to parent violence an abuse in any family is a very serious issue. Mothers are most likely to be the targets of this violence; however, all family members can be at risk. And the issue cuts across all of society. Click to read an Information booklet.
Appropriate Language in relation to Child Sexual and/or Criminal Exploitation
Criminal Exploitation: Stages of Recruitment
Criminal Exploitation: A guide for parents
Criminal Exploitation and ‘county lines’ resources
CitizenAID
CitizenAID™ is a simple, logical system of immediate actions. It is designed to guide the public to react safely, to pass effective messages to the emergency services, to prioritise the injured and to give life-saving first aid. This combination of effective organisation and immediate treatment will save lives.
Consent is Everything
Together we can stop rape by ensuring everyone knows when they have sexual consent – and when they do not.
Sex without consent is rape.
Rape happens to people of all genders and sexualities. About 92 percent of victims are female and eight percent male. Most rapes occur between people who know each other in some way. Make sure you get consent.
Colour Blind Awareness
Colour Blind Awareness is a Community Interest Company (non-profit) formed in 2010 to raise awareness of the needs of colour blind people in the community.
Cranstoun
Cranstoun are the solutions people, who make change, by doing. With passionate staff, courageous people and the knowledge and expertise to match, Cranstoun empowers people, reduces harm, standing for and achieving positive change.
Educate Against Hate
Footsteps
Footsteps is a registered charity providing support for bereaved children, young people and their families in Worcestershire following the death of a parent, sibling or other significant person in their life. We guide and support bereaved children and young people, and help them manage their grief. Footsteps provides a service totally free of charge to bereaved children and their families in Worcestershire.
Home-Start
Home-Start helps families with young children deal with whatever life throws at them. They support parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
Working to stop child sexual abuse online: Protecting children is at the heart of everything we do. For over 25 years, since the early days of the internet, our job has been to help child victims of sexual abuse by hunting down and removing any online record of the abuse.
Kooth
Kooth provides instant access to free, safe and effective mental health support for children and young people.
Listen to my Story
What is Listen to my Story? Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It happens when an individual or group (offender) takes advantage by manipulating a child or young person (victim) under the age of 18 into sexual activity.
MindEd
MindEd is a free educational resource on children and young people’s mental health for all adults.
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society are the UK’s leading charity for people on the autism spectrum and their families. Since 1962, they have been providing support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people.
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
The NCSC protects you and your family, and the technology you rely on.
National Sleep Helpline
NCT
NCT are here to support parents. They provide them with accurate, impartial information so that they can decide what’s best for their family, and introduce them to a network of local parents to gain practical and emotional support.
NOFAS
NOFAS-UK (The National Organisation for Foetal* Alcohol Syndrome-UK) is dedicated to supporting people affected by Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and their families and communities. It promotes education for professionals and public awareness about the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
NSPCC
The NSPCC are the leading children’s charity in the UK, specialising in child protection and dedicated to the fight for every childhood and they are the only UK children’s charity with statutory powers and that means they can take action to safeguard children at risk of abuse. Sexting – How to talk to children about the risks of sexting – and what you can do to protect them.
The NSPCC Helpline for Abuse in Education: The NSPCC have worked closely with the Department of Education to provide a bespoke helpline for children and young people who’ve experienced abuse at school, and for worried adults and professionals that need support and guidance. If you are concerned about something, you can contact the NSPCC helpline Report Abuse in Education on 0800 136 663 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
Parental Education Growth Support (PEGS)
PEGS aim to create safe places online where you can talk openly about your experiences, where you will always be listened to and never judged. Their services are free, and open to any parent, carer or guardian experiencing Child to Parent Abuse, regardless of the age of their child (including those with adult offspring). They’re also all offered virtually to limit any boundaries around accessing in-person services. All of their services are specifically for parents – they don’t work directly with children displaying CPA behaviours, however they have a network of partner services who specialise in child-focused support and can signpost or refer into these as necessary.
Parent Safe
It’s never easy to know how to keep our children safe when they aren’t with us, and sometimes even when are, if we don’t know what’s happening on their devices. Who are they talking to, what are they doing, are they okay? If you need help to find some answers, don’t despair…just take a closer look at the website
Parent Zone
Parent Zone provide information, help, advice, support and resources to parents, teachers, health professionals, police officers, e-safety officers and HR professionals – anyone who engages with parents.
Place 2Be – Improving Children’s Mental Health
Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity with over 25 years’ experience working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools, and who provide mental health support in schools through one-to-one and group counselling using tried and tested methods backed by research. They also offer expert training and professional qualifications.
Prisoner Families Helpline
The National Prisoners’ Families Helpline can provide you with up-to-date information and guidance about prisons in England and Wales. They can also link you with different services and local support groups in your area and they have a dedicated department for helping gambling addiction.
Rainbow Trust
The Rainbow Trust supports over 25% of the 6,000 families in England who have a child aged 0-18 years of age with a life threatening or terminal illness and need the bespoke support we offer. We support the whole family 24/7, 365 days a year, regardless of diagnosis. We support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents. Any family can receive support from the moment of their child or young person’s diagnosis.
Refuge
Refuge is committed to a world where domestic violence is not tolerated and where women and children can live in safety. Refuge aim to empower women and children to rebuild their lives, free from violence and fear. They provide a range of life-saving and life-changing services, and a voice for the voiceless.
Relationship and Sex Education
Shelter
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness – and they campaign to prevent it in the first place. They are here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
Stonewall
Stonewall are here to let all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, here and abroad, know they’re not alone.
They believe we’re stronger united, so they partner with organisations that help us create real change for the better. They have laid deep foundations across Britain – in some of our greatest institutions – so our communities can continue to find ways to flourish, and individuals can reach their full potential. They are here to support those who can’t yet be themselves.
But their work is not finished yet. Not until everyone feels free to be who they are, wherever they are.
Stop It Now!
Stop It Now! UK and Ireland was established in 2002 by child protection charity The Lucy Faithfull Foundation – the only UK wide charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse.
Talk to FRANK
FRANK is a confidential helpline for anyone in the UK concerned about drug use.
Think U Know
Come in to find the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it. If you look after young people there’s an area for you too – with resources you can use in the classroom or at home. Most importantly, there’s also a place which anyone can use to report if they feel uncomfortable or worried about someone they are chatting to online. Does your child use Omegle? Read this parents’ guide to help you understand the risks #Thinkuknow https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/globalassets/omegle-parents-guide.pdf
UK Safer Internet Centre
A partnership of three leading organisations: Childnet International, Internet Watch Foundation and SWGfL, with one mission – to promote the safe and responsible use of technology for young people.
The centre has three main functions:
- Awareness Centre: to provide advice and support to children and young people, parents and carers, schools and the children’s workforce and to coordinate Safer Internet Day across UK.
- Helpline: to provide support to professionals working with children and young people with online safety issues.
- Hotline: an anonymous and safe place to report and remove child sexual abuse imagery and videos, wherever they are found in the world.
Advise for Parents & Carers – what are the issues?
Understanding Relationships, Sex and Health Education at your child’s secondary school: a guide for parents
We want all children to grow up healthy, happy, safe, and able to manage the challenges and opportunities of modern Britain. That is why, from September 2020, all secondary age children will be taught Relationships, Sex and Health Education.
Unseen
Unseen is a UK charity with its head office in Bristol. We provide safehouses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. We also run the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and work with individuals, communities, business, governments, other charities and statutory agencies to stamp out slavery for good.
Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. They have been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic violence and abuse through practice for over 40 years. They empower survivors by keeping their voices at the heart of our work, working with and for women and children by listening to them and responding to their needs.
Young Minds
Leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.
