Family Support

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Linda Hibbert and I am your Support Worker.

I attended Alderman Pounder as a child and I have worked across the school for over ten years as a teaching assistant.

I am married and I have three children, all of whom attended Alderman Pounder.

My two older children have already gone through the school system and are now in full time employment.

I am passionate about supporting children and their families, in whatever ways needed.

Amongst other things, I am ELSA trained (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) and a Youth Mental Health First Aider.

My training helps me to better support our school community in a variety of ways.

Why?

Children don’t come with instructions and each individual can present a range of challenges that can affect their ability to learn.

I am here to offer practical advice and guidance on a wide range of these challenges.

Where?

I am based at The Pulse within Alderman Pounder.

To arrange an appointment please phone the school office, email me or just drop in and I will do my very best to see you as soon as possible.

lhibbert@aldermanpounder.notts.sch.uk

mobile: 07716751080

school: 0115 9252928

How?

There are times when you or your child may need to talk.

I will be available to listen and provide a quiet, safe space, to share worries concerns or just ‘be there’ and be a trusted adult/friend.

My door will always be open to both children and their families.

I work across the school from Seedlings to Year 2.

This could be one to one, in a group, weekly, over a period of time or following a structured programme.

I am available to give children support during break and lunchtimes if required.

When could a child need the support of a Family Support Worker?

A child may need support with the following:

transition to a new class
change in family circumstances
attendance issues
friendship issues
promoting positive behaviour
boosting self-esteem and confidence
bereavement and loss

There may be other issues a child may need support with, sometimes it may be just someone to talk to, other than a teacher or parent.

The Pulse offers

drop-in sessions
coffee mornings
a listening ear
individual support
opportunities to meet other parents in small groups
tools, skills and ideas
signposting
help with finding the information you need
information session

Looking after a child or young person's mental health

There are times when we all feel the strain. As parents and carers, there are ways we can support children and young people to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy.

Some children and young people have enjoyed being off school, while others will have really struggled – with the coronavirus outbreak keeping them at home and away from friends. Others may be coming to terms with family problems, loss, or changes to their living situation.

With nationwide and local restrictions being regularly reviewed, they may also have to deal with self-isolating because of an outbreak in school or another period of school closure or have worries about getting or passing on the virus. It's still uncertain what further changes we all may face.

Feelings like these will gradually ease for most, but there are always steps you can take to support them emotionally and help them cope with the problems they face.

There's further support available if you feel you or they need it: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/childrens-mental-health/#custom-2column-share-shelf

Emotions

Everything we do and every thought we have comes with a feeling. Sometimes those feelings feel good and sometimes they feel nasty.

Some feelings are strong and some feelings are weak. We hardly notice the weak ones. When we feel something, we can choose what to do about that feeling. Sometimes we decide to ignore it and it goes away, but other times it takes over and we cannot think about anything else.

When you get a feeling, first work out what it is and then dip into the booklet for some ideas about what to do with that feeling. It will help you get to know your child’s feelings better.

When you think your child is sad, angry etc. say to them “I know you’re are feeling (say emotion) angry, let see if we can think of a way to help you cope with that emotion,”

Why not look at a different emotion each day and ask them to think of a time when they have felt this emotion, ask them to draw the facial expression and how this made them feel inside. Lots of children can tell us what a feeling looks like, but can they tell us how it made them feel.

You can ask them to create their own worry friend, so if they are worried about anything they can put a note or draw an emotion and give it to their worry friend.

Emotions booklet

Download Document

Coronavirus support