Early Help

Early Help at Cross Farm Infant Academy

At Cross Farm Infant Academy, we understand that family life can be busy, joyful, and sometimes challenging. Our Early Help Offer is here to make sure children and families get support as soon as they need it. No worry is too small- if something is affecting your child’s wellbeing, learning or happiness, we are here to help.

What kinds of concerns can we help with?

We can support families with a wide range of issues, including:

• Managing behaviour at home
• Sleep routines and getting to school on time
• Financial worries or debt concerns
• Housing difficulties
• Domestic abuse
• Mobility or health challenges
• Bereavement and loss
• Cyber bullying or online worries
• Food bank support
• In fact, any concern you feel may be having a negative impact on your child

What support might we offer?

Depending on your family’s needs, we can offer a variety of practical and emotional support, such as:

• Breakfast Club
• After School Club
• Calm/Soft Start to the school day
• Induction sessions for new EYFS children, including home visits
• Support with transition to junior school
• Bespoke learning interventions (reading, phonics, maths)
• Support from our Team
• Parent Information Sessions
• SEND Parent Drop ins
• Attendance meetings and support
• Bereavement support
• Lunchtime clubs and extra curricular activities
• Government Fruit and Vegetable Scheme
• Pre loved uniform
• Curriculum teaching on keeping safe, supported by outside agencies
• Food bank referrals and signposting

How we support children

We offer gentle, nurturing 1:1 or small group support to help children with:

• Building confidence and self esteem
• Developing positive behaviour and learning habits
• Making and keeping friendships
• Coping with changes at home or emotional challenges
• Managing big feelings and developing emotional regulation
• Improving attendance and supporting children who find coming to school difficult
• PSHE lessons and assemblies

How we support families

We work closely with parents and carers to offer:

• Help completing forms (housing, financial support, food bank vouchers, wraparound care)
• Advice on routines at home, including sleep and mornings
• Support with attendance and school routines
• Signposting to local services and community support
• Liaising with external professionals such as Family Support Workers, health services and educational specialists

Who provides Early Help?

Early Help is delivered by staff across the school and overseen by our safeguarding team. If you speak to any member of staff about a concern, they will work with our Early Help lead to agree the best next steps. When needed, we can help make referrals to other professionals and support you through the process.

Operation Encompass – Supporting Families

Cross Farm Infant Academy is an Operation Encompass School. We are dedicated to supporting the children and families in our local community. If you need any information or you are concerned about a loved one or local family come into the school office and ask to see Mrs Stone or Mrs Hylton who will be able to support.

Please click the link at the bottom of the page for more detail.