Family Support Advisor

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Mrs Sharon Baxter; I am the Family Support Advisor for St Stephens Community School.

At St Stephens Community Academy we understand that many children and families experience difficult times which can make a happy, successful school and home life a struggle. If you have worries or concerns about your child, you can always talk to their class teacher or Mrs Maura Furber (Headteacher) as they know your child and can work with you to address any issues. However, for whatever reason, you might not feel able to or there may be other problems which parents/carers need some help with.

One of the roles of a Family Support Advisor is to work closely with children and families who may be experiencing difficulties, this could be as simple as a misunderstanding with friends or it could be a more complex issue such as bereavement or a change in family circumstance. It may be that the support is needed for a short while or it could be a longer process. At St Stephens the emotional welfare of our pupils is of the greatest importance and having a dedicated Family Support Advisor enables these issues to be given the time and care needed to be sensitively and compassionately worked through together. We seek to break down the barriers to learning and help you to deal with challenges in a positive way so that all children can be successful and make good progress.

I work with and support families in different ways:

I listen and appreciate parents/carers issues and offer suggestions and advice for individuals and families on behaviour management, boundaries, routines, school attendance, e-safety, healthy eating to name a few. I can also refer and signpost to other services available within Launceston and Cornwall.
I work with and support families during key school transition, including newcomers and moving on to secondary.
I work with families who are going through difficult times including relationship breakdown, bereavement, mental well-being and financial hardship.
In consultation with parents/carers I can support children on a 1:1 basis, listening and working with them in different way e.g. anger management and control, key school transitions, development of pupil self-esteem and confidence, friendship issues, bullying including social networking, family issues: bereavement, new baby in the family, parent’s separation/divorce.

Would you like a friendly chat? Please contact me to make an appointment on 01566 772170 or leave a message for me at the school office.