Parent Support Advisor
My Role as a PSA
Hello, my name is Lynn Wood. I’m the Parent Support Advisor at Toll Bar Primary. Here is a little more about my role…
I'm here to support you and your child(ren) with any issues you may have, both in school and at home. The first time we may meet will be when your child(ren) first enters into school. I work alongside the team of staff in the Foundation Unit preparing for the Head Start visits into school and doing the important home visits. The home visit enables you as parents to discuss any concerns that you may have and we ensure that all of the children’s needs are identified from an early-stage.
I believe that it is so important for everyone to enjoy their child(ren)'s life in school from the very first day.
We have stay and play, book and bun sessions and extra activities going on in the Foundation unit for you to join in and very quickly become part of your child(ren)'s school life.
Early Identification:
Once a child starts school it may well be that we recognise that there are some difficulties. I can help to answer and advise you on your parenting questions and issues such as: How can you help me to connect to my child(ren) to understand their emotions? I’m struggling to communicate with my child(ren), they don’t listen to me, what can I do? How can I create a good routine, for bedtime, for meal times, for homework? I’m really finding that I’m not managing the challenging behaviour of my child(ren), either at school or at home, and just need somebody to talk to.
It may be that your child(ren) is changing schools and you require advice to complete admissions or transfer forms for reception/secondary school, information around visiting those schools, and when open evenings are. I am here to support you every step of the way.
Parental support beyond school:
As Early Help Leader in school, I’m in a position to be able to work with parents and listen to the difficulties that you’re facing. I can sign post to the services that are providing invaluable support throughout our area. These services can offer help with mental health issues, physical disabilities, eating disorders, smoking, drugs, alcohol, anti-social behaviour, debt, housing difficulties and relationship problems. So please, come and talk to me and let me help to provide a service that could help you.
If you are suffering with isolation or if you ever find yourself thinking ‘I just need someone to talk to’ or ‘I just need someone to listen to me’ them I am here for you. I can be found most mornings on the foundation playground doing my usual meet and greet with parents. Please be aware that I am available to all parents throughout the school, not just parents in Foundation classes.
Parenting Courses:
I also deliver parenting courses, such as the Webster Stratton - Incredible years, Solihull parenting programme, and I also deliver the Early Years - Peep parenting programme.
We are doing some wonderful reading and story book sessions throughout school and other family activities, please come along to one of our parent workshops. It would be lovely for you to come and join in the fun.
I am also a designated safeguarding officer in school.
So, if you would at any time like to contact me in school for an informal chat, then please either catch me in person or ring school to arrange to come in and have a talk.
I look forward to meeting you.
