Guest Blog - Appointing a Family Support Practitioner in our Preschool

I contacted a colleague recently who was sharing with me how they secured funding to appoint a family support practitioner in both their preschools that she managed. I found this story a fantastic example of practice and going the extra mile with our families and children we work with. I am so delighted that Lisa agreed to write this blog to share what her settings have been up to. Thank you Lisa.

Becoming a Family Support Practitioner by Lisa Brown

This Year we have been very lucky to secure some funding from the Ipswich Opportunity Area (IOA) to invest in a family support worker to support families within the setting during the coronavirus crisis. We have also just found out the funding will be extended into next year.

I was the manager of 2 preschools and when this opportunity came up and discussions with the committee and the other manager, we decided I would move into the family support role. While she would move into the day-to-day management of the setting and I would take on the family support role and become the business manager of the settings.

I have always wanted to do this role and could not wait to get started. So far, I have supported families with food parcels, counselling support, some clothes for children and lots and lots of home learning. Including name writing resources or positional language or if a parent wants resources for something in particular.

An example of an individualised home learning pack.

I have sent questionnaires out to parents asking for what support they need so I can look into providing this.  I have also been working with the children to offer them support to understand feelings and emotions using craft materials. This has been a huge success with some children and has really enhanced what the setting can offer to children.  I have made over 100 tailored to the children’s needs packs to support an area of learning for children to work on at home. This can be from WELL COMM the speech and language tool or from the EYFS areas of development we also wok on the same things in setting which I do with the children on a daily basis. 

The role has really supported the families and given them an extra level of support when needed as children and families have really suffered this year during the pandemic. The feedback has been they have someone to turn to if only just for a chat or help to fill out a form or help to access food, clothing for a child or help with a child’s learning and development.

Written by Lisa Brown