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Family Support

At Meadow View Farm School (MVFS), the Family Support Worker plays a crucial role in strengthening the link between school and home, ensuring that families feel supported in meeting their child’s needs both academically and emotionally. Given the complex social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs of the children at MVFS, the Family Support Worker takes a holistic and proactive approach to support. Michelle, our Family Support Worker, is also a key part of the induction process, allowing her to begin building relationships with families from the very start of their journey at MVFS. This early connection helps to create a strong foundation of trust and understanding, ensuring parents and carers feel welcomed, informed, and supported from day one.

Key Responsibilities of the Family Support Worker at MVFS

 

1. Supporting Parental Engagement & Wellbeing

  • Establishes positive relationships with families, offering a listening ear and guidance.

  • Provides emotional support to parents/carers who may be struggling with their child’s behaviour, mental health challenges, or additional diagnoses such as ADHD, autism, or attachment disorders.

  • Signposts families to external support services, such as CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), parenting programmes, or social care teams.

  • Organises workshops or informal coffee mornings to foster a supportive community among parents.

2. Bridging the Gap Between Home & School

  • Helps parents understand and implement strategies used in school to support their child’s behaviour and learning at home.

  • Facilitates home-school communication by arranging regular meetings, phone calls, or home visits when necessary.

3. Supporting Behaviour & Emotional Regulation at Home

  • Provides practical strategies for managing challenging behaviours at home, reinforcing the trauma-informed approaches used in school.

  • Offers tailored advice on routines, boundaries, and positive reinforcement techniques.

  • Works alongside parents to create consistent approaches between school and home, ensuring children feel secure and supported in both environments.

4. Advocacy & Multi-Agency Collaboration

  • Attends Team Around the Child (TAC) meetings and contributes to EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) reviews, ensuring that family perspectives are included.

  • Liaises with social services, therapists, and medical professionals to coordinate holistic support for the child.

  • Supports families in completing paperwork for financial support along with referrals to other services.

5. Crisis Support & Early Intervention

  • Offers immediate support during family crises, such as a breakdown in home-school relationships, safeguarding concerns, or difficulties at home.

  • Works with safeguarding leads to ensure the safety and well-being of children at risk.

  • Provides early intervention strategies to prevent small issues from escalating.

 

Why This Role Matters at MVFS


Given that many children at MVFS have SEMH needs and may struggle with emotional regulation and attachment, parental involvement is key to their success. The Family Support Worker helps to empower families, making them feel more confident in supporting their child’s education and emotional well-being. By building trusting relationships—starting from the initial induction—Michelle ensures that families feel valued and heard, ultimately contributing to better outcomes for the child.