Our Home School Link Worker (HSLW) is the link between home and Unified Academy and work preventatively with families, children and the School to provide early intervention, signposting support and guidance in times of change and stress.
A HSLW plays a significant role within the school community, helping to bridge the gap between parents and school. They are part of the school team but works independently, uniquely connected to the child and his family’s needs.
Home-school liaison is a child and parent-centred partnership that builds positive relationships, enabling improved attendance and behaviour by reducing family and environmental barriers to learning. Any emerging difficulties can be tackled at an early stage with targeted interventions, guidance and support.
The sort of support you can expect from a HSLW includes:
- working with individual and groups of students and parents;
- working closely with the SENCO and CPO to support families;
- liaising with outside agencies (school nurse, social care, CAMHS, health visitors, GPs) and signpost parents to appropriate additional support;
- improving your child’s attendance;
- reducing exclusions and attending readmission/governor exclusion meetings with you;
- helping with transition to Unified Academy;
- supporting families in times of crisis by visiting at home or meeting with you in school;
- helping parents with form filling;
- providing advice regarding benefit entitlement, domestic violence, housing, health and bereavement counselling;
- ensuring those who are entitled to free school meals actually receive them;
- attending meetings in and out of school with you and your child so that your views are appreciated and respected at all times.
Research has shown that work by HSLWs not only helps to raise children’s educational achievements and attendance but are influential in increasing parents’ knowledge of school life.
If you feel you need support (whatever the problem), please contact the school. Our service is confidential though you need to be aware that if there are concerns of a child protection nature then these will have to be reported to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for further advice.
