School-based Services

Today in the UK around 140,000 families are experiencing multiple and complex problems. These problems can have a severe and enduring effect on children.

Family Action believes a child’s family life affects their ability to learn and achieve. Not all children benefit from a stable and positive family life. That’s why we provide family and student support services to over 130 schools across England.

Children are more comfortable and more open to change when in a familiar, non-stigmatising environment, which is why we work with them in their schools and homes. The support we provide can take many forms and can be tailored to suit the needs of an individual, a family, or a wider group.

"“Family Action has helped parents, pupils and schools at a time when it felt like there was nowhere else to turn. Family Action workers acted as an intermediary between agencies and the co-ordinated support really focussed on the needs of the child and parents. A quality addition to any schools provision map.“

Primary School, SENCO.

Who Do We Work With?

Children and families affected by mental health problems, substance misuse or domestic abuse.
Families who have a poor relationship with school, which is affecting a child’s ability to learn.
Children experiencing bereavement and loss (read about our bereavement service in Barnsley).
Children whose responsibilities at home (caring for a relative, for example) are affecting their ability to learn.
Children with low self esteem or who appear isolated in school.
Children being bullied at school.

What We Do

Family Support Services. Improving relationships – between parent and child, child and school, school and home and between children themselves. For example, establishing routines at home, reducing truancy, etc. For example, Fulham Positive Parenting.
Parenting Programmes, such as Triple P, Webster – Stratton and Solihul.
Support children and young people at key transition stages, such as the move from Primary to Secondary school (for example, the mentoring services we offer in Gorleston).
Individual casework/One-to-one support. We can provide services supporting families and children at home. For example, the young person counselling services such as Our Space in Fulham.
Group work: we help to support and sustain the ethos of the schools in which we work and contribute to a safer and emotionally healthier school environment, for example, Pyramid Group at Westminster, Lambeth and Wandsworth.
We also provide opportunities for leisure and fun through after school and lunchtime clubs or holiday activities (for example, Isle of Sheppey Late Club).
Provide whole class/school programs on issues such as domestic abuse and sexual health (for example, Hackney Young Families).
Support and advise school staff on working with vulnerable and/or challenging children and young people. Read a booklet that has been put together for young people dealing with ADHD.

What Schools Say

“At school we have seen improvements in children’ self-esteem and behaviour and value highly Family Action’s work in contributing to multi-agency support for our most needy children.” Primary School Headteacher.

“Family Action has provided an important link between the school and home, which has benefited everyone concerned. They have helped parents develop their parenting skills and behaviour management strategies, helped them to attend school and medical meetings and set up routines and parameters within the home. For some parents, Family Action has been a tower of strength and expertise during desperate times. Children have been helped to develop their self esteem, confidence and a better understanding of socially acceptable behaviour. Family Action have also been involved with the transition to secondary school and this link proved to be invaluable.” Primary School Headteacher.

Download our School-based services leaflet.