Family Support Services
The Family Support Team (FST)
provides a service for parents and carers. It is a redefinition of the “Parents as Partners” philosophy, which has been part of Whitefield Schools
and Centre practice for many years.
Aims
The role of Family Support
is to involve parents and carers more actively in the education of, and
decision making for, their children both in school and outside of school.
As well as wanting to foster the interest of parents/carers, we are aware
that parents/carers have an intimate knowledge of their children at home
across a wide range of activities and experiences. Recognising this
knowledge and commitment, we aim to support the development of a partnership
with all the professionals involved with each child at school and beyond.
Personnel
FST staff are teachers
with special educational needs experience, and some have management,
consultancy and counselling qualifications. As members of Whitefield for a
number of years in teaching and managerial capacities, those engaged in the
work are familiar with all aspects of the life of Whitefield Schools and
Centre and therefore well qualified to help parents/carers become more
involved in the education of each young person.
Organisation
Family Support is
distributed throughout the schools according to the differing needs of
individual pupils and their families. Each parent and carer has access to a
named Family Support Teacher and at least one team member will be available
on each day of the week.
Resources
The main Family Support
Team office houses
an extensive Information Resource covering all special needs issues and
local authority information.