Welcome from SENCo	SEND contact details
SEND support for parents	SEND Report to governors for parents
Pastoral Care	SEND News Splash
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing	Pastoral Team
ELSAs	Wellbeing Support for Parents
Family Support

Welcome to SENCo
We are proud to be an inclusive school. Our Special Educational Needs Coordinator is Elaine O’Neil. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and work closely with children, staff, parents and outside agencies to ensure that all pupils, regardless of their specific needs, make the best possible progress in school. We endeavour to be as inclusive as possible. It is our ambition that the needs of pupils with a Special Educational Need/s and or Disabilities are met in a mainstream setting wherever possible, where families want this to happen.



For SEND enquiries please contact:
SENCo: Mrs E O’Neil
Queen's Drive
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN3 1AR

Telephone: 01793 527679
Email: admin@holycross.swindon.sch.uk

At Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, we meet the needs of children with the following SEND: The school will review the provision for children with SEND every year. Parents will always be closely involved in all aspects of special provision.

SEN & Local Offer
Local Authorities are required to publish a Local Offer. This will provide up to date information about the services and support that children with SEN can access in their local area. Schools will need to publish their School Offer with details of their provision for SEN, which will then be linked to the Local Authority website.
Swindon Borough Council's Local Offer

SEND Support for Parents

ADHD - Family Education &  ADHD Foundation
Autism - Autistic Society
Bereavement - Treehouse & Winston's Wish
Down's Syndrome - Down's Syndrome Association
Dyslexia - Dyslexia Association
Dyspraxia - Dyspraxia Foundation
EHCP (Education Health & Care Plan) - Information and guidance around the statutory process
Epilepsy - British Epilepsy Association & Young Epilepsy
Hearing Impairment - Action on Hearing Loss
Mental Health Support - CAMHS & MIND
Parent advice and local support for SEND - Swindon SENDIASS & Swindon SEND Families Voice
Speech & Language - Childrens Speech & Language Therapy Services
Swindon SEND families voice - Listening and Support Phoneline
Visual Impairment - Royal Institute for the Blind


Mental and Emotional Wellbeing

We all have a sense of mental health, and much like physical health, it can deteriorate. Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all parts of mental health. It impacts the way we feel, think, and behave.

At Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, we recognise the significance of emotional and mental wellbeing in our lives and work to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for the entire school community, including the children, staff, parents, and carers. We acknowledge that children's mental health plays a significant role in their overall wellness and that it can have a significant impact on their learning.  Throughout their school life, all children experience highs and lows, and some experience significant life events.  The Department for Education (DfE) recognises that: "in order to help their children succeed; schools have a role to play in supporting them to be resilient and mentally healthy".

 Our aim is to help develop the protective factors which build resilience to mental health problems and to be a school where:
Mental health and wellbeing is not just the absence of mental health problems. We want all children/young people to:
You might find these links below helpful:
Young Minds
The Dock Swindon
On Your Mind

Useful Leaflet
 Download Document  

Pastoral Team
Effective pastoral care underpins children’s personal development.  At Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, we know from experience that with outstanding pastoral care, children feel they belong and their self-esteem is able to flourish because they recognise that they are valued and cared for.  We believe that good pastoral support focuses on nurturing the individual needs of each child, working alongside parents and carers to ensure children make good progress in all aspects of their lives during their time with us at Holy Cross.  We want everyone involved with our school to feel well supported.

Whilst all staff have a responsibility to promote the mental health of pupils, staff with a specific, relevant remit include:

ELSAs
Our ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) are: Mrs Claudia Serratore and Mrs Pam Coacci. They are here to support the emotional needs of Holy Cross pupils because children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed.

ELSAs are Emotional Literacy Support Assistants. They are teaching assistants who have received specific additional training from educational psychologists from whom they receive on going supervision following training. Their role is to support children and young people in school to understand and regulate their own emotions whilst also respecting the feelings of those around them.

The majority of ELSA work is delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes small group work is more appropriate, especially in the areas of social and friendship skills. Sessions are fun and we use a range of activities such as: games, role-play with puppets or arts and craft. 

ELSA sessions take place in our dedicated ELSA rooms which provide a calm, safe space for the children to feel supported and nurtured.


If we feel your child may benefit from an opportunity to attend an ELSA group then their class teacher will let you know. We are certain that the children will enjoy and benefit greatly from access to this recognised effective intervention.
Helpful Links: 
https://www.elsanetwork.org/
https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/


Children's Health Advice
Caring for children with coughs

SAMARITANS
Non-judgemental listening service
Call 116 123 (24 hours a day)
Email- jo@samaritans.org (this will take 24 hours to respond)

NSPCC
"Being a parent isn't always easy. If you're struggling the NSPCC can help. Friendly advice and support is just a phone call away."
Call 0800 800 5000 (24 hours a day)

If you feel in urgent need of support:

Below are the contact details of local Swindon based adult mental health advice lines so you can speak to a professional who will be able to provide the urgent help you need.

Family Support Services - Swindon Borough Council
www.swindon.gov.uk
Contact Number: 01793 465111

Children and Young People - Swindon Borough Council
www.swindon.gov.uk

Citizens Advice
www.citizensadviceswindon.org.uk/
Advice Helpline: 03444 994114 (Monday-Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm)

Family Support

Below are some websites you may find useful:

Applying for 'Free School Meals' or extra financial help with other aspects of school.

Help with Housing Benefit Claims

Swindon Food Bank An independent charity helping people in Swindon who are suffering financial hardship and finding it difficult to provide food for themselves, their family, or dependents.

Community Fridge
   
For further help and support for parenting - Family Lives

For more parenting help on mental health, meal times, screen time and more, visit the Family Links site here

NHS Swindon Talking Therapies previously known as Swindon LIFT Psychology.  It provides a service for people registered with a GP in Swindon.
Swindon Talking Therapies aims to help people access support for a range of common mental health problems such as:

• low mood 
  
• depression, including post-natal depression (PND)
  
• anxiety
  
• stress  
  
• obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)  
  
• phobias  
  
• post-traumatic stress (PTSD)

Information and contact details for Domestic Abuse and Violence
 Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone. Find out how to recognise the signs and where to get help.

Swindon Women's Aid
Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS) operates a free and confidential 24-hour helpline, 365 days a year to anyone living in the Swindon area, who is currently suffering or has experienced domestic abuse. They can provide immediate advice and, where appropriate and with your consent, can refer you on to our other services for longer-term support.

Caring In the Community 
Young Carers are children who look after someone within their family home.
This may be a parent, brother, sister of other family member who has an illness, physical or learning disability, a mental health illness or misuse of drugs or alcohol.  A young carer usually takes on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.
Swindon Carers Centre is there to support Adult Carers with looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, partner or friend.
Parenting Support

Parent channel TV -youtube

Behaviour
What to expect of 5-7yrs
What to expect of 7-9yrs
Kids who don’t listen
Why kids misbehave
Positive discipline

Learning
Homework Blues
Getting into reading
Maths at home
All my child wants to draw and play

Well-being
Too much technology
Bullying 5-9 – the signs
Bullying Advice 5-9 yr
Friendship worries
Healthy Eating 5-9yr
Bedtime Sleep issues
Bereavement