My name is Sarah Miles and I am the Home School Liaison manager at Winnall Primary School.

The role is a varied one tailored to the needs of the individual children and their parents/carers. Engaging families in their child's education is a key factor of the child's success and my job is to help families with any obstacles they may find in their way.

I am here to support parents with a wide range of issues and concerns and to help them access information about services and activities they might need or simply offer a cup of tea and a chat!

My role includes:

• Supporting parents to develop and maintain a positive relationship with the school.

• Acting as a link between home and school including making home visits or meeting at other suitable locations.

• Signposting to a range of services for families that may need additional support and information.

• Facilitating group work, meetings with outside agencies.

• Filling out forms and applications.

• Making contact/attending meetings with other agencies/professionals to provide families with extra help.

• Helping children and families to increase school attendance and minimise absences.

• Working with children and parents on a 1:1 or school group basis. 

• Talking with, supporting and encouraging parents and children to help make their time at Winnall enjoyable and successful.

Families have shared that support from school has helped with their child's attendance/lateness.  Places have been secured for parents on courses.  Tailored/ specialist help has improved communication between school and home.

Some testimonials from some of our families can be seen below:

" For both my daughter and I the Parent link has been super and very beneficial."

"Mrs Miles has been helping me and my son a lot. We have been talking and doing work about managing his behaviour as he is coming into his teenage years and advising me about how to stay calm. She has helped me get on to Parenting courses and we have had sessions to help me when I am stressed."

"I come to see Sarah every week to do a one on one session with my son. It's a very big help as I have younger children as well and we don't get time alone. We both enjoy our time and I am finding it's calming his behaviour down and bringing us closer together. It is a massive help having her here as she gives me advice on all my children and I'm not sure what I'd do without her support."

"You've put a smile on my face and I appreciate that."

Housing

Shelter
Provide information about housing, evictions and homelessness, and update their guidance regularly in response to changes made by the government during Covid-19. You can find out more about what you’re entitled to and the latest changes here england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/coronavirus.

Citizens Advice
Provide guidance about housing, renting, evictions, arrears and possession orders, as well as offering help through the local citizens advice service.

For information about housing costs, rent repayments and other residential issues, contact your housing provider or look at the help provided by local housing services.

A2Dominion

Vivid

Hanover Housing Associatio

Utility Bills

Citizens Advice
Helps people who are struggling to afford their energy bills or top up their prepayment meter. They provide information and advice about certain benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.

Money Saving Expert
Provides up to date independent information with help and advice on reducing fuel costs

Winchester City Council
Works with Hampshire County Council to provide free advice services to council, private and housing association tenants, and homeowners, to help people keep warm and healthy in their homes

Winter Workout Tips to Save Gas

LEAP
A free service that helps people who are in, or are at risk of falling into fuel poverty, to reduce their energy bills.
Tel:  0800 0607567

Help from your supplier: the Affordable Warmth Obligation

Might be able to offer help for energy saving improvements to people’s homes if they claim certain benefits and live in private housing (e.g. home owner, rental from private landlord) or live in social housing.

Southern Water
Can offer options for reducing or changing the way you pay your water bills.
Tel: 0330 303 0277

Benefits, Debt, Money and Work

Citizens Advice
Helps people who are struggling to afford their energy bills or top up their prepayment meter. They provide information and advice about certain benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.

CAP (Christians Against Poverty)
Debt counselling and community groups on managing money and debt.
Tel: 0800 328 0006

Frontline Debt Advice
Offers information about debt and benefits.

Free Course
Written by the The Open University with MoneySavingExpert providing financial support and guidance.

Sector Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)
A fast way into work: Free Constructions Skills Training.

Mental Health and Addiction

Winchester Welbeing Centre
A recovery-focused well-being centre for those aged 18 or over experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, low mood or depression. It offers safe spaces to get back on track through groups, workshops, activities and 1:1 emotional support.

Mind
Offers information about types of mental health problems, drugs and treatments, helplines, support and services, tips for everyday living, legal rights, supporting others and more.

Support for Young People – Let’s Talk about It
Provides links to useful groups and organisations that offer services for young people across Hampshire including mental health, employment, homelessness, substance misuse and more

Inclusion Recovery Hampshire
Offers support for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs both under and over 25 years as well as families and carers affected by drugs and alcohol.

Adfam
Provides information and support for people experiencing problems with drugs, alcohol and gambling.

NHS
Offers information and advice on alcohol.

NHS
Offers information and advice on drugs.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Offer help with alcohol and drinking.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Offer help with drugs and drug taking.

Catch 22
Is a county-wide specialist treatment service for children and young people affected by substance misuse.

Connect to Support Hampshire
Offers links to a wide range of resources and organisations in the community.

For advice for under 18s, visit the Family Information and Services Hub

Domestic Abuse

If you are worried about someone finding out you are looking at domestic abuse information, Women’s Aid have a safety guide www.womensaid.org.uk/cover-your-tracks-online/

Women’s Aid provide a range of services, including an online instant messaging service and information on how to get help with domestic abuse. The website also links to services for men, young people, people with disabilities and all members of the LGBT communities.

The Salvation Army
Supports victims o

" We loved it. We really enjoyed contributing something positive towards the school. It's changing so much and it's nice to be part of it!"

"My daughter and I really enjoyed the activity. It was nice to work with people from outside the school who want to help make it look nice."

"It was lovely spending some extra time in school with my child. Thank you Winnall and Osborne builders."