Advice & Support
On this page are links to information for parents offering help, advice and support. Please remember that we are here to help.
If you or your child are experiencing difficulties, the school can offer help and support in a number of ways. Please feel free to speak to your child’s class teacher, the Headteacher, Deputy or any other member of the Senior Leadership Team.
The Local Assistance Network provide short-term, practical aid, such as food or furniture, to people in a crisis. It is run by West Sussex County Council together with other organisations. The LAN helps people who have no other way of getting assistance. It is open to those who:
- Are on benefits or a low income
- Are facing an unforeseen emergency that puts them or their family at risk
- Need help moving into or remaining in the community
- Live in West Sussex or are being resettled here.
Discover… the Family Information Service!
Did you know that the Family Information Service maintains an online directory of support services and family activities that take place across West Sussex? This directory provides free, impartial and up-to-date information for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 years.
Services currently featuring in the Directory include:
- Parent and toddler groups
- Toy libraries and sensory toy libraries
- Leisure activities
- Finding local Children and Family Centres
- Local FindItOut Centres for 13-25 years olds
- Local and national support groups
- Counselling services
- Parenting classes and much more…
When children first start exploring the Internet, most parents are concerned about “stranger danger” — the chance children will meet a dangerous adult. While parents do have to be aware of online strangers, and teach children how to avoid them, keeping children safe online is a lot more than watching out for strangers.
Teaching Internet safety includes reminding your children not to give out private information online and to behave responsibly and respectfully toward others. Being responsible about online life also means limiting the amount of time children spend online and teaching them to balance online activities with other activities. Start by visiting the sites your children enjoy. Ask them to show you what they like and why.
- Childnet International
- Get Safe Online
- Internet Matters
- National Online Safety
- Parent & Carer Toolkit
- Parent Online Safety Presentation
Safety Cards
Here you will find contact details for several agencies, both local and national, that you can contact for support and advice.
Family Support
Here you will find links to information, advice, guidance and support on some of the safeguarding challenges facing children, young people and their parents today.
- Safeguarding Children Partnership
- Children & Family Centres
- Home Start
- Family Support Work
- Tel: 01273 832963
- Children & Family Court Advisory & Support Service - Parenting and child arrangements after divorce or separation.
- Working Parents
- Lone Parent Families
Mental Health
- YMCA - Support for emotional health and wellbeing for young people.
- Young Minds - For young people and parents.
- Happy Maps - If you are worried about your child’s behaviour or mental health a bank of resources.
- Beacon House - Therapeutic approach for trauma in children.
- NSPCC
- Anxiety UK - For children and parents.
- Time to Talk for Adults
- West Sussex Mind
- SinglePoint of Access - To make a referral to the Single Point of Access (SPoA). This gives young people a simple route to mental health support.
Debt/Financial Support
- Rent Arrears in Arun
- Tel: 01903 737850
- CAP (Christians Against Poverty)
- Tel: 0800 328 0006
- Citizens Advice
- Tel: 0808 278 7969
- Citizens Energy Advice Service
- Tel: 01243 974063
- Money Helper
- Step Change - For financial support from the household support fund, West Sussex Community.
- Tel: 0800 138 1111
- Hub
- Little Bundles - Aid to those in the local area unable to buy the essentials for their young children.
Caring
Physical Health
- Your Local Pharmacy
- NHS 111 or your GP
- Health for Kids Sussex - Health and advice to help children grow and flourish.
- Arun Wellbeing - Support with healthy eating, losing weight and giving up smoking.
- Tel: 01903 737862
- Healthy Steps - A programme for families looking for tips on eating more healthily and moving more. Families can sign up for the 8-week programme. Which involves tips on cooking and recipe cards, after a short survey they suggest ways to help your family eat better and move more.
Housing Issues
- Arun
- Shelter
- Stonepillow
- Tel: 01243 537934
- Turning Tides - Support with healthy eating, losing weight and giving up smoking.
- Tel: 01903 737862
Special Educational Needs
- Reaching Families - Local support for parents and families with SEN.
- SENDIAS - This is an independent service which can support parents with any issues related to SEND in schools.
- Aspens - Aspens offers services for children and young people with a range of disabilities, those on the autism spectrum, and/or those with complex needs aged 8-25.
- Information for Parents
Claiming Benefits
Domestic Abuse
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline
- Tel: 0808 2000 247
- Safe in Sussex
- My Sister's House
- Tel: 01243 697800
Community Support
- Wick Information Centre
- Creative Heart Community Café - 42 Beach Road BN17 5HT.
- Youth Club Arun Community Church Support
Addiction
Tel: 0330 128 1113
If you or your child are experiencing difficulties, the school can offer help and support many ways. Please feel free to speak to your child’s class teacher, the Headteacher, Deputy, member of the Senior Leadership Team or our learning mentor and family liaison officer.