Safeguarding and Early Help

At Ravensbury Primary School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing and respectful environment where every child can thrive. Our safeguarding approach is proactive, robust and rooted in the guidance outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and local Manchester safeguarding procedures. We work closely with children, families, staff and external agencies to identify concerns early and respond swiftly and effectively. Our trained safeguarding team is always available to listen, provide support and ensure that concerns are managed sensitively and appropriately. Through a combination of staff training, pupil voice, a strong curriculum for personal development and an open-door ethos, we ensure that every child knows they are valued, protected and able to speak up if they ever feel unsafe.

Our School Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mr Chris Bolton (Headteacher). Our Backup Designated Safeguarding Leaders are Ann Roberts (PSA), Louise Thelwis (Deputy Headteacher), Jo Wendt (Senco), Kirsty Wolfenden (Assistant Headteacher), Luke Jones (UKS2 Phase lead), Justine Bennett (LKS2 Phase lead).

At Ravensbury Primary School, we recognise that children learn best when their social, emotional and physical needs are met. We understand that families can experience challenges at any time, and our aim is to offer support as early as possible to prevent difficulties from escalating.

Our Early Help Offer outlines the support available within school and the wider Manchester community. This approach is aligned with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2025).

What is Early Help?

Early Help is a collective approach that enables families to access support before problems become more serious. This may involve help from the school alone, or from several services working together. Early Help can support families with:

Family & Parenting

Establishing routines
Managing behaviour at home
Strengthening relationships and communication
Sleep routines
Positive parenting strategies

Emotional & Mental Health

Anxiety, worries, emotional regulation
Bereavement or family change
Low mood or reduced confidence
Social skills or friendship difficulties

School-Related Needs

Attendance or punctuality concerns
Suspensions or behaviour challenges
SEND support or assessments
Transition support (e.g., change of class, secondary transfer)

Practical & Financial Challenges

Housing instability or overcrowding
Income, debt, or benefit concerns
Food poverty or access to essential items
Employment or training advice

Early Help is voluntary and carried out with your full involvement.

How Early Help Works

When a concern is raised, the school will:

1. Listen and Understand

We gather your views and the child’s views to understand what is working well and what might be difficult.

2. Assess Needs (if appropriate)

An Early Help Assessment (EHA) may be completed with your consent. This provides a clear picture of needs and strengths.

3. Plan Support

We agree achievable goals and identify the support needed. This may include:

In-school interventions
Specialist referrals
Signposting to community-based support

4. Team Around the Family (TAF) Meetings

If several agencies are supporting your family, we coordinate a TAF meeting to ensure everyone works together effectively.

5. Review Progress

Support is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and appropriate.

Our School Early Help Offer

Safeguarding & Pastoral Support

Our designated safeguarding and pastoral team provide:

Individual support for children
Family support sessions
Practical guidance on routines, sleep, behaviour and wellbeing
Support completing Early Help Assessments
Ongoing pastoral monitoring

Attendance Support

Home-school liaison
Individual attendance plans
Punctuality monitoring
Work with Manchester City Council’s Attendance & Inclusion Team

Behaviour & Wellbeing Support

Therapeutic play sessions
Emotional literacy programmes
Social skills groups
Zones of Regulation support
Restorative practice

SEND Support

Our SENDCo provides guidance on:

School-based SEN support
External referrals (e.g. Educational Psychologist, SALT)
Advice and training for parents
Understanding EHCP processes

Practical Support

Food bank vouchers (if eligible)
Support with housing letters
Digital access support
Uniform support signposting

Local Signposting: Manchester & East Manchester

Below is an expanded directory of services available to families in our community. You can choose to include or remove contact details depending on your website policy.

Parenting, Family & Community Support

Manchester Early Help Hubs

Manchester operates locality hubs providing targeted family support.
East Manchester Hub covers: Openshaw, Gorton, Beswick, Clayton, Miles Platting, Bradford, Ancoats.

Support includes:

Parenting support programmes
Advice around domestic abuse, relationships and family conflict
Housing and financial support
Behaviour and emotional wellbeing support
Access to family support workers
Coordination of Early Help Assessments

Sure Start Children’s Centres (East Manchester)

Support for families with children aged 0–5.

Centres typically offer:

Stay & play sessions
Speech and language drop-ins
Parenting workshops
Health visitor clinics
Early communication development groups
Baby groups

Local centres include:

Gorton Children’s Centre
Openshaw Children’s Centre
Clayton Children’s Centre
Miles Platting Children’s Centre

Big Manchester (Barnardo’s, Manchester City Council & Partners)

Supports families affected by:

Domestic abuse
Parental mental ill health
Parental substance misuse
Complex family needs

Provides: intensive family support, safety planning and emotional wellbeing work.

Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing Services

42nd Street (Manchester)

For ages 11–25.
Support includes: individual counselling, online therapy, groups, youth wellbeing programmes.

CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service)

For children with significant mental health needs.
Referral may come from school, GP or other professionals.

Kooth (Online Mental Health Support)

Free online wellbeing support for young people.

Manchester Parent Carer Forum & Local Offer SEND Support

Workshops, advice and networks for families of children with additional needs.

Financial, Housing & Practical Support

Manchester City Council Advice Line

Support with:

Benefits and Universal Credit
Council tax
Housing and homelessness
Cost-of-living support

Citizens Advice Manchester

Free confidential advice on money, debt, employment and legal matters.

Food Support

Gorton Food Bank
Manchester Central Food Bank (Trussell Trust)
Mustard Tree (Ancoats) – food club, clothing, training, furniture and community support.

Domestic Abuse Support

Independent Choices Greater Manchester

24/7 helpline and advice for victims of domestic abuse.

Safespots

A safe community hub offering guidance, advocacy and emotional support.

Health & SEND Services

Health Visitors & School Nursing Team