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Elaine Primary School

Community Support

Welcome to our community support hub. At Elaine Primary School, we believe that a strong, collaborative partnership between school and home is the foundation of every child’s success. We view our parents and carers as essential co-educators, and we are committed to building a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment where families feel valued and heard.

We know that life can occasionally present challenges, and we are here to support you. Our school acts as a caring community hub, offering direct help, relational care, and secure signposting to local services across Medway.

In-School Support and Early Help

We provide a range of school-led initiatives to support family wellbeing, attendance, and positive learning routines at home:

  • The Parent Café: Facilitated weekly by the Church and attended by our Home School Support Worker, the Parent Café is a warm, informal space where parents can connect, share experiences, and receive practical advice on supporting their child's development. We regularly invite local agencies, health visitors, and community partners to lead relaxed workshops and chat with families.
  • Direct Pastoral Outreach: Our qualified Thrive Practitioner, Home School Support Worker, and wider pastoral team are always available to discuss any worries you may have about your child’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour, or attendance. We work non-judgmentally to help identify and remove barriers to school life.
  • Breakfast Club: To ensure our children start the day in a positive, settled, and regulated state of readiness, we provide a nutritious breakfast for up to 40 pupils every morning.
  • The DEN (Developing Education through Nurture): Our therapeutic nurture provision delivers small-group support to build pupils' emotional resilience, social skills, and self-regulation. We also share these trauma-informed strategies and relational tools with parents so they can be easily replicated in the home environment.

Medway Community Services Directory

We work closely with local organisations and statutory partners to ensure our families can easily access specialist support when needed. Below is a directory of trusted services available to Medway families:

1. Family Solutions and Early Help

If you are experiencing challenges with parenting, family relationships, or managing routines, Medway's early intervention services offer friendly, structured support.

  • Medway Family Solutions: Providing advice, groups, and targeted family support to help you navigate difficulties and build a stable home environment.

2. Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

A child’s emotional wellbeing is just as important as their physical health. If your child is struggling with anxiety, low mood, or emotional regulation, help is available.

  • NELFT Medway CAMHS: The specialist NHS mental health service for children and young people experiencing significant emotional or psychological challenges.
  • Kent & Medway Mental Health Support Teams (MHST): Collaborative teams working within Medway schools to deliver early, low-intensity support for emotional wellbeing. We routinely host parent coffee mornings with our local MHST practitioners.

3. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

For families of children with additional needs, navigating the right pathways and finding local support groups is critical.

  • Medway SEND Local Offer: The central directory detailing all education, health, and social care provision, leisure activities, and support groups available for children with SEND and their families in Medway.

4. Young Carers Support

We are proud to track and support young carers in our school community to ensure they enjoy their childhood alongside their caring responsibilities.

  • Carers FIRST Medway: This service provides young carers with assessments, peer support groups, fun respite activities, and direct advocacy.

5. Practical, Food, and Financial Assistance

If you are facing temporary financial pressure or emergency hardship, local welfare support can help with food, energy bills, and essential household items.

  • Medway Food Angels: A fantastic local charity with whom we coordinate regular emergency food parcels and practical household support for families in crisis.
  • Medway Council Local Welfare Provision: Providing short-term crisis support for essential living expenses.

How to Request Support

If you are finding things difficult, please remember that you do not have to manage alone. Our school doors are always open, and we are committed to helping you find the right pathway.

For a confidential, supportive conversation, please feel free to:

  1. Speak directly to your child’s class teacher at drop-off or pick-up.
  2. Contact our school office and ask to speak to Sarah Barness, our Home School Support Worker.
  3. Pop along to our weekly Parent Café.

All discussions are handled with the utmost empathy, sensitivity, and respect. Together, we will ensure that our children and families have the support they need to thrive.

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