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Pastoral Care and Support
At Avon Valley Academy, pastoral care sits alongside our academic provision to help ensure that our pupils receive a balanced education in a supportive and nurturing environment.
At Avon Valley, we structure our pastoral support around Year Groups (each with a dedicated Year Leader) and Tutor groups. In tutor time, students receive a variety of support covering PSHE, The Day, Assemblies, Attendance and Rewards. Year Leaders meet daily with the Head of Behaviour to address issues quickly and consistently. Parents and Carers are encouraged to use the tutor as first point of contact, and concerns can then be escalated to the Year Leader or a member of the Senior Team if necessary.
In addition to the tutor and year group system, we offer a range of specific supportive interventions:
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Refocus: This is a triaged behaviour hub for Tier 2 incidents and above, where students are able to reflect on their choices for two periods, serve a short detention and return to classroom learning
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The Link: this is a small alternative provision to support students who struggle with Refocus and/or are at risk of permanent exclusion
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Springboard and Reading Hub: these two provisions make up the Welfare Hub. Springboard is for students who are vulnerable to non-attendance or who are returning after extended absence. The Reading Hub offers daily intervention for students with below-chronological age reading ages.
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Attendance: we hold school attendance meetings and where appropriate refer to the Education Welfare Service. For students who are highly anxious or have a medical need that is affecting attendance to school Springboard provision would be used. Here they RAG their timetables and are supported to return to lessons.
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Thrive: this is offered via Springboard, and students work with a trained Thrive counsellor. Places and capacity are currently very limited.
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Student access to Link, Springboard and Thrive is by invitation only, in consultation with parents/carers, and is agreed at the regular Harbour Panel meetings in school. Harbour meetings are the main meeting for all pastoral staff.
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School Nurse: the nurse holds a weekly drop-in clinic on a Thursday lunch time that students do not have to book into. If there is a need, she will then book subsequent appointments for individual students on a Thursday afternoon.
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Army Welfare Support: This is a 6-week programme working with the Army Welfare Service. This is offered to students who struggle with appropriate communication with peers and adults or who need to build resilience. Groups are decided through the Heads of Year.
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ESA: Where appropriate we offer Early Support Assessments. These are cases that are referred to us through MASH – either because of a concern we have raised with them or from something outside of school. These meetings can include outside agencies such as CAMHS. We will also signpost parents to other avenues of support where appropriate.
In addition to the above, at AVA we offer support with careers and safeguarding through Mrs M Weyers (Pastoral Support, DDSL).
Mental wellbeing advice for parents
Mental wellbeing support for students
Drug and alcohol rehab in WiltshireMental health
Pastoral Support Helplines
Internet Safety
Childnet provide helpful resources and practical tips/ advice on different aspects of keeping your child safe online.
They help support parents and carers of any age to start discussions about their online life, set boundaries around online behaviour and technology use and find out where to get more help and support.
Childline
You can talk to us about anything. Whatever you’d like to talk about is important to us. You are not alone. Whether you’re feeling stressed, anxious, lonely or down, no matter what it relates to – we are here for you. ChildLine is a private and confidential service, meaning that what you say stays between you and ChildLine. Telephone lines are open 24/7.
Anti-Bullying Alliance
Provides tools and information, including support around cyber, sexual and gender related bullying.
Respect Yourself
Lots of good advice and help.
Runaway Helpline
116000116000@runawayhelpling.org.ukRunawayHelpline
Runaway Helpline provides information, help, support and options if you’re thinking of running away or if you’re already away. Whatever you tell us at Runaway Helpline, we’ll listen and offer support. Not judge or tell you what to do. It’s your call.
Samaritans
SamaritansAvailable 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
Winston's Wish
Provider of services to bereaved young people and their families offering practical advice and guidance in helping to grieve and cope with bereavement.
Salisbury Foodbank
Salisbury Foodbank is run by The Trussell Trust and supports families, couples and individuals in short term need of food and toiletries.
Based in Salisbury, this service began in 2000 in response to a growing need within our community and was the first Trussell Trust foodbank in the UK. Since this time we have developed good working relationships with a range of local agencies and services aiming to support the wider community.
Addiction Advisor
A professional addictions healthcare company focused on providing you with high quality expert advice, information, care planning and treatment for addiction problems. All advice is provided completely free-of-charge by our expert assessment team. Led by a consultant addiction psychiatrist, the assessment team consists of nurses, doctors, counsellors and psychologists who work together to bring you the best advice, treatment and value available.
Alcohol Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. This year it has set up a Young Peoples Project to extend their support to young people suffering from alcohol problems.
Gambling
Is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to do the same. This site offers various aids for the compulsive gambler including a forum, a chat room, literature and most importantly a meeting finder. Meetings are the core of Gamblers Anonymous and we have meetings every day of the week throughout England, Wales and Ulster.
Stonewall
Is a lobbying and focus group working for equality for LGBT and provide support and help for people experiencing abuse and/or discrimination because of their sexuality.
CEOP
A trained professional will give you free and confidential advice on what to do next. They can also help you find a safe place to staystop a UK visa if you’ve been forced to sponsor someone. Contact the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) if you’re trying to stop a forced marriage or you need help leaving a marriage you’ve been forced into. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Out of hours: 020 7008 1500 (ask for the Global Response Centre) Call 999 in an emergency.
Mental Health
BEAT
BEATBeat is the UK’s eating disorder charity. We exist to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.
Depression
Written by clinical psychologists, this website deals with the subject of depression in young people. It is intended that it be used as a resource to help users to recognise the symptoms associated with the condition as well as offering some suggestions about ways to combat these symptoms.
Harmless
Harmless is a user led organisation that provides a range of services about self harm including support, information, training and consultancy to people who self harm, their friends and families and professionals.
Mental Health Support Teams
‘On Your Mind’ signposts children and young people in Wiltshire to sources of support for good mental health and emotional wellbeing. The On Your Mind website has lists of resources and contact information for young people to access counselling and support. It also has advice for parents and professionals on how to help support young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
MIND
We can help you make choices about treatment, understand your rights or reach out to sources of support. When you’re living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, having access to the right information – about a condition, treatment options, or practical issues – is vital.
National Self Harm Network
Support individuals who self harm to reduce emotional distress and to improve their quality of life. Support and provide information for family and carers of individuals who self harm. Empower and enable individuals that self harm to seek further support and alternatives to self harm.
Self Harm
Provides advice and support to young people impacted by self harm.
