At Birchen Coppice Primary Academy, we meet the needs of our children through a variety of ways:

Pupil Voice – pupils are actively encouraged to speak about any concerns they have to a member of staff or to our nurture team. As part of the curriculum, children are taught to speak openly about their mental health and wellbeing. Pupils know the staff take all their concerns very seriously. There are other ways that the children can share their worries and concerns through worry boxes or worry monsters that are in every classroom.

• Children’s questionnaires ascertain if pupils feel happy and safe and directly impact content of the My Life – our PSHE curriculum – for all year groups across school
• Our curriculum gives opportunities for the children to learn how to look after their own safety and wellbeing and to help others to stay safe.
• Assemblies, visitors and educational trips gives the children knowledge, skills and strategies to keep themselves safe.
• Assemblies are delivered both by our staff and visitors concerning how to stay safe online. This is also embedded through our Computing curriculum.
• Our school council play a major role in making sure that the pupil voice makes a difference to decisions made at school and they meet with Mrs Painter.
• We are a Trauma Informed School. Staff have received training on the impact of trauma on behaviours and PACE.
• Staff are available to meet and greet in the mornings.
• Emotionally Available Adults are allocated to some children.
• We identify which children have emotional needs across the whole school.
• Lunchtime nurture groups.
• We have effective communication between pupils and staff.
• Staff have attended training in areas such as mental health and wellbeing, mindfulness, online safety, attachment.
• Our Nurture Hub Room is available throughout the day for regular sessions and also for unexpected issues.
• We work with school nurses.
• We have links with the PCSOs.
• We work with Starting Well and can host workshops in a variety of areas – Understanding children’s behaviours, Looking after yourself and Eating well for less and sleep hygiene clinics.

Behaviour for Learning at Birchen Coppice Primary Academy

The school encourages and rewards pupils on a lesson by lesson basis and during break times

Birchen Coppice Primary Academy recognises the importance of a relationship-based approach which is inclusive for all and benefits the whole school community. Staff understand the importance of positive attachments and relationships in promoting emotional health and wellbeing. Our approach recognises that children are individuals with their own unique qualities that need to be celebrated; whilst at the same time, meeting and supporting those who may, at any point, experience difficulties with their wellbeing.

Pastoral Support

Designated staff within our school work with pupils and families to support their needs whilst also signposting them to relevant agencies. With families’ consent, we can refer families for further targeted support.

SENCO

Mrs Bull and Miss Whiteley work with children and families with additional needs and can signpost parents to many different agencies. They both also support staff in school to ensure they are meeting the needs of all children with additional needs. Further information regarding pupils with SEND need can be found on the school website under ‘About us’ - SEND

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSLs ensure rigorous and robust systems are in place within the school to ensure the safety of all of our children.

All staff will be aware of this document and the different ways that Birchen Coppice Primary Academy can support and/or signpost support for families.

Family Front Door

If a member of staff, parent/carer or member of the public thinks a child or young person is at immediate risk of significant harm they should contact the Family Front Door (FFD) – 01905 822 666 or in an emergency always call 999.

WSCB (Worcestershire Safeguarding Children’s Board)

About Us - Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards

Important information for parents and professionals across Worcestershire in relation to keeping children safe and avenues of support. Everyone should know how to access this website which has all of the agreed Worcestershire safeguarding and child protection processes on it.

The services and support available are outlined below.

Birchen Coppice Primary Academy will refer to appropriate agencies when help is required to support children, young people or families or to prevent harm.

All Birchen Coppice Primary Academy staff must be aware of this Supporting Families document. At all times all staff should consider if there is any service, group or link that we can utilise in order to help a child thrive.

We also liaise with other agencies and people within the local community and in the table below are some National organisations that can support Children, Young people and their Families

Bullying (including Cyberbullying)

If you are concerned your child or a child, you know is being bullied there are several services and useful links which can help you support your child as a parent.

In the first instance if bullying is happening at school, please speak to a member of staff who will be able to help.

Our aim is for children with Special Educational Needs at Birchen Coppice Academy is to ensure they are safe and happy at school, whilst enabling them to meet their full potential.

The SENDCo is Mrs Bull who is supported by her deputy, Miss Whiteley.

Further information on SEND at Birchen Coppice is available on our website. https://birchencoppiceacademy.org.uk/worcs/primary/birchencoppice/site/pages/aboutus/send

If you are looking for information or advice the following links will help you:

SEND Local Offer | Worcestershire County Council or contact localoffer@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk

SEND Information, Advice, Support Service SENDIASS Worcestershire and Herefordshire (hwsendiass.co.uk)

Social care support for children with disabilities | Worcestershire County Council

Worcestershire Young Carers

Worcestershire Young Carers aim to identify, and support children and young people aged 7 to 24 years who have a caring role within the home and help look after a parent, sibling, or grandparent due to illness, disability, physical or mental health difficulties or substance misuse.

Worcestershire Young Carers/Shropshire Young Carers | YSS

Young Carers and Young Adult Carers | Worcestershire County Council

Finance, Housing and Employment

If you are facing challenges around employment and income, please contact the local job centre who can with offer support with jobseekers’ allowance, incapacity benefit, employment and support allowance and income support:

Local Job Centre Plus,

Worcester Job Centre Plus, Kidderminster JobCentre Plus, Library, Market St, Kidderminster
Worcestershire, DY10 1AB
0845 604 3719

Citizen’s Advice Bureau Worcester Citizens Advice – Worcester Citizens Advice Bureau and WHABAC (Worcester Housing and Benefits Advice Centre) (citizensadviceworcester.org.uk)

For information on what financial and housing support is available in Worcestershire, please visit:
Parenting, health and wellbeing, housing and relationship support | Worcestershire County Council

Parenting Support

Parenting Talk is an online hub offering information, advice, and a free confidential online chat with a parenting advisor.
Parent Talk - Support for Parents from Action For Children

Homestart can work with you to provide one to one support in the family home each week. This service provides support tailored to your needs and can help you as parents they learn to cope and build confidence to provide as best you can for your children.
Home-Start | South Worcestershire (home-startsw.org.uk)

Family Information Service

Do you need advice and support around finding childcare? The following link will provide you with guidance: Childcare | Worcestershire County Council

Substance Misuse

Cranstoun provides support for families when an adult is struggling with their alcohol or drug intake. https://cranstoun.org/help-and-advice/alcohol-other-drugs/worcestershire/

Here 4 Youth is support service for children and young people up to the age of 18 who may be struggling with their use of drug and / or alcohol. Here4YOUth Worcestershire - Cranstoun  

Do you have a family member in prison?

Do you have a family member in prison which is having an impact on your child? Support is available to work with both the person in prison and your family.
NICCO

Families First provides support and guidance in a safe space, to enable the whole family to cope with the demands of having a partner, and parent, in prison: About Us | YSS

Get Safe

If you are worried your child is at risk of being tricked, forced, or made to work in the criminal world please speak to a member of staff and visit Get Safe for help and information:

What is get safe? | Worcestershire County Council

If you are experiencing any of these challenges or issues affecting family life, please contact a member of staff who will be happy to provide you with further advice and support.