The Willows

 

What is the Willows?

 

We are so lucky at Willowcroft to have The Willows. We’re a team of Pastoral and Family Support workers, who work out of a dedicated space where children can come to receive extra support. This takes on many forms, from informal drop ins for a biscuit and a talk, to weekly group sessions to work on big feelings, social skills, or anxiety. We are there for children when things get too much and they need time out of class and a reset before going back to their learning. This relational practice approach allows us to calm children in the moment and gives us time to explore the root of the problem away from class allowing for restorative conversations to take place.

The second part of our role is to support families. As with the children, this takes many different forms. From offering support and advice, liaising with external agencies, running programs such as Family Links, plus much more. We feel it’s so important to get to know the family as a whole in able to much better support the children in school. This holistic approach allows us to get to understand everyone and to be in the best position to support where needed. We can offer a link between home and school, and can provide resources to reflect expectations in school, such as Give Me 5 rules for home, and visual timetables.

 

Meet the team

Amanda Jones (Monday- Friday 8am-4pm)

 

Tracy Hammond (Monday- Thursday 8:45am- 3:10pm)

 

Jess Readings (Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm)

 

Between the 3 of us we have adult children, teenagers and children in primary school. So we cover all bases!

 

Key information

 

·         We stand by the Yr 6 classroom in the mornings - come and say hi! We also offer meet and greet to any child that needs a slightly more supportive start to their day 

·         Call the school 01235 813304 and use option 6 –  this takes you straight through to The Willows Team

·         We liaise with lots of external agencies for support and advice – so can always point you in the right direction

·         We offer Strengths and Needs assessments – which taps into so much support via the Family Help team and LCSS

 

 

Inside the Willows

NSPCC
The NSPCC is the UK's leading children's charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover.

Cahms
CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. CAMHS help children and young people up to 18 who are finding it hard to cope with everyday life because of difficult feelings, behaviour or relationships.

Family Links
Emotional health for all Family Links is a national charity dedicated to the promotion of emotional health at home, at school, and at work.

Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children's Board
It is everybody’s responsibility to keep children and young people safe. If you’re concerned that a child is being abused or neglected you should report it so that the child can be protected.

sAFE Oxfordshire

SAFE! provides support to children and families around the Thames Valley who have been affected by crime or abuse through one-to-one and group sessions.
 
Domestic Abuse Support Services 
Find help and support for those living with domestic abuse at Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Services (ODAS).
 
TRAIN
TRAIN works with young people in Didcot.
 
Be Free Young Carers
For over 27 years, Be Free Young Carers have and continue to support young carers age 8-17 years old and their families. We help these young people have a chance to be children, relax, make friends and have fun away from the pressures of their caring roles, away from the anxiety and stress so many feel. We are currently the only specialist organisation in Oxfordshire offering this support to children caring for a loved one.
 
See Saw
SeeSaw provides support for children, young people and their families in Oxfordshire when they have been bereaved or when somebody close to them is terminally ill.