At Godmanchester Community Academy (GCA), we understand that family life can present challenges that impact a child’s learning and well-being. We are committed to supporting our families by providing information and signposting to external services that can assist with a range of needs.
Typical Areas of Support
Families may require support in various areas, including:
- Emotional and Mental Health: Access to services such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), local mental health charities, or school-based counselling services.
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): Guidance on accessing SEND support, including assessments, provision mapping, and referrals to specialist services.
- Attendance Concerns: Support in addressing issues related to school attendance, including liaising with local authority attendance officers and accessing support for school refusal.
- Parenting Support: Resources and workshops to assist with parenting challenges, including behaviour management strategies and building positive family relationships.
- Financial Assistance: Information on accessing benefits, food banks, and other financial support services available within the community.
How We Support Families
While we do not provide direct family support services, we:
- Provide Information: Share details of local services and resources that families can access for support.
- Signpost to External Agencies: Direct families to appropriate agencies that can provide the necessary assistance.
- Liaise with External Services: With parental consent, we can communicate with external agencies to ensure coordinated support for the child and family.
- Offer Guidance: Provide advice on navigating support systems and accessing services.
Managing Expectations
Please note that our capacity to offer direct support is limited. We are not able to:
- Provide ongoing one-to-one family support.
- Offer specialist interventions or therapies.
- Act as a referral agent for all services.
However, we are here to listen, guide, and ensure that families are aware of the support available to them.
Getting in Touch
If you require assistance or information about family support services, please contact Mr Gibbs, our Welfare and Thrive Administrator here. We will do our best to provide the information you need or direct you to the appropriate services.
External Resources
For additional support, families can access resources from:
- Cambridgeshire County Council Family Support Services: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/parenting-and-family-support
- Child and Family Centres: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/parenting-and-family-support/child-and-family-centres
- Targeted Support Service: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/parenting-and-family-support/targeted-support-service
We are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure the best outcomes for our children. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out.
1. Free School Meals & Financial Support
- Cambridgeshire County Council – Free School Meals: If you are in receipt of certain benefits, your child may be entitled to free school meals, saving you up to £495 per year per child. This scheme is available for school-age children and to post-16 students at a school with a sixth form or college. Cambridgeshire County Council
- GOV.UK – Apply for Free School Meals: Check if your child can get free school meals in England and find out how to apply on your local authority’s website. Cambridgeshire County Council
2. Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing
- YOUnited Referral Hub: A self-referral pathway to support children and young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough. Parents/carers of children aged 5+ and young people aged 13-17 can self-refer to YOUnited for mental health support. Cambridgeshire County Council
- NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Talking Therapies: Self-referral service for emotional wellbeing support, including therapies and counselling. Cambridgeshire County Council
3. Parenting Support & Guidance
- Cambridgeshire County Council – Parenting and Family Support: Access support for your family, including parenting courses, child and family centres, and information on topics like fatherhood, kinship care, and supporting young carers. Cambridgeshire County Council
- Pinpoint Cambridgeshire – Managing Behaviour: Offers advice and resources for managing children’s behaviour, including strategies for challenging behaviour and supporting children with additional needs. Cambridgeshire County Council
4. Sleep Support
- Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Children’s Health – Healthy Sleep Routines: Provides guidance on establishing healthy sleep routines for toddlers and children, including tips on bedtime activities and creating a calming environment. Cambridgeshire County Council
- Pinpoint Cambridgeshire – Sleep Problems: Offers support for families dealing with sleep issues, including access to trained sleep practitioners in Cambridgeshire. Cambridgeshire County Council
5. Childcare & Early Learning
- Cambridgeshire County Council – Funded Childcare for 2-Year-Olds: Children in families with a low income or in receipt of certain benefits are entitled to 15 funded hours of childcare or early years education. Cambridgeshire County Council
6. Domestic Abuse Support
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership: Provides information and support for families experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence. Cambridgeshire County Council
7. Additional Resources
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Healthy Child Programme: Offers services for all families with children aged 0 to 19 living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, including health visiting and school nursing services. No referral is needed. Cambridgeshire County Council
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service: Provides a range of support for emotional health and wellbeing, including therapies, counselling, and guided self-help. Cambridgeshire County Council
Please Note: While Godmanchester Community Academy is committed to supporting families by providing information and signposting to external services, we do not have a designated Family Support Worker. Our capacity to offer direct support is limited. However, we are here to listen, guide, and ensure that families are aware of the support available to them.
If you require assistance or information about family support services, please contact the school office. We will do our best to provide the information you need or direct you to the appropriate services.