Helping our Families
At Swalwell Primary School, we are committed to supporting the wellbeing, safety and success of every child and family in our community. This page brings together information about the support available both within school and through external services, helping families access guidance, advice and practical assistance when needed.
As part of this commitment, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. If a safeguarding concern is raised, the school will follow its safeguarding procedures. Any parent or carer who is worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child can speak directly with the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs Hocking. Alternatively, they can make a referral to Children's Social Care.
Alongside our safeguarding responsibilities, we work closely with a range of partner agencies and support services to help families access advice relating to wellbeing, mental health, attendance, SEND, parenting support, financial concerns and other areas of family life. The information below outlines the support available through school and the wider community.
School-Based Support
Family Support Worker
We have a part-time Family Support Worker, Katie Doyle, who is usually in school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Her role is to provide practical, emotional and early help support to children and families, helping to remove barriers and ensure that families can access the support they need. She can offer:
- Practical support with completing applications and forms.
- Signposting to local services and funding opportunities.
- Emotional support for the whole family.
- Working with other agencies and supporting referrals to Early Help, Young Carers, the Single Point of Access (SPA), mental health support services and assessment services for young people.
- Attendance at meetings such as Early Help and Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings.
- Support with applications for funding towards essential items such as white goods, beds, clothing and shopping vouchers. Unfortunately, funding is limited and applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Support if you have any worries or concerns, helping to identify the most appropriate support and next steps.
- Low-level behaviour support and referrals to parenting support services where required.
For support or advice, please contact Katie Doyle through the school office on 0191 433 4000 or email katiedoyle@gatedu.org.
Feeding Families
We work with Feeding Families, a local charity that provides emergency food parcels to families across the North East.
We keep a small supply of food boxes in school that can be distributed to families who need them, with no forms to complete. The boxes contain enough non-perishable food to provide emergency support for approximately three days for two people.
If you feel that you would benefit from this support, please contact the school office on 0191 433 4000 or visit us in person. We understand that asking for help can be difficult, but all enquiries will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
Pre-loved school uniform
We can support families to access all elements of school uniform, including coats, bags, shoes and PE kits, free of charge through a local service called the Community School Clothing Scheme.
This service helps to reduce financial pressures on families while also supporting sustainability by giving good-quality items a second life. Families can also donate outgrown uniform items through our on-site donation point.
We have recently expanded our pre-loved shop to include fancy dress costumes for events such as Halloween and World Book Day, as well as Christmas jumpers.
Families wishing to access this support can contact the school office directly.
Poverty Proofing Report
Researchers from Children North East recently audited 14 key areas within the school day, examining policies and practices within the school. They attended Breakfast Club, after school clubs, had lunch with pupils and observed pupils through their day-to-day interactions within school.
Click on the link below to find a summary of their findings.
Young Carers
What is a Young Carer?
A Young Carer is someone under the age of 18 who helps to look after a family member who has a disability, physical illness, mental health condition, learning disability, or issues with drugs or alcohol.
Many Young Carers support a parent, grandparent, brother, sister or another relative with everyday tasks and responsibilities.
A Young Carer may support someone who has:
- A serious or long-term illness
- A physical disability
- A mental health condition
- Problems with drugs or alcohol
- A learning disability
Young Carers may help with tasks such as:
- Preparing and cooking meals
- Helping with personal care and hygiene
- Giving medication
- Communicating on someone else's behalf
- Ensuring someone's safety
- Providing emotional support
- Paying bills or helping with household responsibilities
Being a Young Carer can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. Caring responsibilities can sometimes affect attendance, concentration, wellbeing and opportunities to spend time with friends or take part in activities.
How can we support?
If you think your child may be a Young Carer, we are here to help.
We can make a referral to our local Young Carers Service, which provides social opportunities, emotional support and assessments for young carers aged 5-18. We can also support families to access local carers' funding where appropriate.
Young Carers Whole-School Commitment
Swalwell Primary School is committed to ensuring that Young Carers can attend school regularly, achieve their potential and enjoy the same opportunities as their peers.
We are proud to be recognised as a Young Carer Friendly School and are committed to:
- Meeting the needs of Young Carers and their families.
- Providing a designated Young Carers Lead and Champions within school.
- Sharing information appropriately and only on a need-to-know basis to support children and families.
- Listening to the views of Young Carers and their families to improve the support we provide.
- Using available funding to reduce barriers to learning and participation.
- Working in partnership with external agencies, including the School Nursing Team and local Young Carers Service.
Support
At Swalwell Primary School, we want all Young Carers to feel recognised, valued and supported.
We actively raise awareness of Young Carers so that children can be identified early and offered the help they need. Pupils who are Young Carers know they can speak to any member of staff if they are worried, need advice or feel they need additional support.
Key Staff
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Additional Support for Children and Families
5-19 School Nursing Team
The School Nursing Team works with children, young people and families to support their physical health, emotional wellbeing and development.
The team can provide advice and support on a range of issues including:
- Emotional health and wellbeing
- Healthy lifestyles
- Additional health needs and disabilities
- Sleep, toileting and continence concerns
- Behaviour and parenting support
- Relationships and growing up
- Safeguarding and child wellbeing
The service is available to all school-aged children and their families across Gateshead.
Find out more about the School Nursing Team.
Benefits and Financial Support if You Are on a Low Income
We understand that many families may experience financial pressures from time to time. The GOV.UK website provides information about benefits and financial support that may be available if you are struggling with the cost of living.
Citizens Advice Gateshead
Citizens Advice Gateshead provides free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to help people with a wide range of issues, including benefits, debt, housing, employment, energy costs and family matters.
If you need advice or support, you can contact their Adviceline, use their online information service or access support in person. Their advisers can help you understand your options and access the support available to you.
Children North East
Every family faces challenges from time to time, and sometimes additional support can make a real difference. Children North East works with children, young people and families across the North East, providing advice, guidance and practical support to help families overcome difficulties and improve wellbeing.
Their services include family support, emotional wellbeing support, help with poverty and hardship, and programmes designed to build resilience and strengthen family relationships.
North East Autism Society
The North East Autism Society supports autistic children, young people and adults, as well as their families and carers, across the North East.
The charity provides a wide range of services, including specialist education, post-16 provision, training, employment support, residential care and supported living. They also offer family support services, including short breaks, support in the home and opportunities for children and young people to take part in social activities.
Their aim is to help autistic people achieve their full potential while providing practical support, advice and guidance to families throughout their journey.
RISE
RISE is a specialist emotional wellbeing and mental health service for children and young people. The service provides support for a range of difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, emotional wellbeing and behavioural concerns.
Children, young people and their families can access advice, guidance and targeted support to help improve emotional health and wellbeing. If there are concerns about a child's mental health, school can work with families and other professionals to help access appropriate support and referrals where needed.
For further information, please visit the RISE website.
SPA (Single Point of Access)
The Single Point of Access (SPA) is a central referral service for children and young people aged 0-18 who may need support with their mental health, learning disabilities or autism.
The SPA helps ensure that children and young people are assessed by the right professionals and can access the most appropriate support for their needs as quickly as possible.
Referrals can be made by parents, carers, young people or professionals. Once a referral has been received, it is reviewed by clinicians who will decide which service is best placed to provide support.
The Toby Henderson Trust
The Toby Henderson Trust is a North East charity that supports autistic children, young people and adults, as well as their families and carers.
The charity provides a range of services including advice, guidance, training, family support and opportunities for autistic young people to develop confidence, independence and social skills. They work closely with families to ensure support is tailored to individual needs and circumstances.
If you would like advice or support relating to autism, The Toby Henderson Trust may be able to help.
If you would like further information about any of the services listed above, please contact Katie Doyle, Family Support Worker, on 0191 433 4000 or email katiedoyle@gatedu.org. All enquiries will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
Directory of Support for Children, Parents and Staff
The directory below outlines services and organisations that parents, carers and staff can access to support their own mental health and wellbeing, or that of the children in their care. This list is not exhaustive but provides a useful starting point for accessing support, advice and guidance.