Parent Support
At St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, we are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers to support children’s wellbeing, safety and development. We understand that families may need support at different times and we aim to provide clear guidance, reassurance and access to trusted services.
This page brings together key information and signposts to local and national support services.
Everyone has a responsibility to help keep children safe. If you are concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing, it is important to act.
If a child is in immediate danger
- Call 999 immediately
If you have a concern but there is no immediate danger
- Contact the Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership
- Speak to a trusted professional, such as school staff or health services
Guidance is available to help you understand what steps to take and where to access appropriate support.
You should consider seeking support if you are worried that a child:
- May be at risk of harm or neglect
- Is experiencing emotional distress or mental health difficulties
- Is struggling with behaviour, attendance or relationships
- Is affected by family change, bereavement or domestic difficulties
Early help can make a significant difference. You do not need to wait until a situation becomes serious to ask for advice.
We work closely with local safeguarding and early help services, including:
- Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership
- Wakefield Families Together
- Children’s First Hubs
These services offer advice, assessment and coordinated support for children and families.
Support is available for children and young people experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties, including:
- Compass Wakefield – emotional health and wellbeing service
- CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)
- Young Minds – mental health advice for children, young people and parents
These services provide guidance, early intervention and specialist support where needed.
We recognise the importance of supporting parents and carers alongside children. Support is available for:
- Parenting advice and guidance
- Carer support
- Family relationships
- Bereavement and loss
- Domestic abuse support
Trusted organisations include:
- Carers Wakefield & District
- NSPCC (PANTS campaign and parent advice)
- Wakefield Council support services
Further information and resources are available for:
- SEND support and advice
- Income-related free school meals
- Health guidance (including asthma and infant care)
- English as an Additional Language (EAL)
- Bereavement services
- Substance misuse support
How the school can help
If you are unsure where to start or would like to discuss concerns about your child, please contact the school. We can offer advice, listen to concerns and help signpost families to appropriate support.
📞 01924 891685
📧 office@sjb.bkcat.co.uk
Our commitment
By working together with families and partner agencies, we aim to ensure every child feels safe, supported and able to thrive.
At St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, we value the rich diversity of our school community and are committed to supporting pupils and families who speak languages other than English.
We work closely with children and families to ensure they feel welcomed, supported and able to access school information confidently. Pupils who speak English as an additional language are supported in class through high-quality teaching, inclusive practice and targeted support where appropriate.
To help parents and carers access school information, Google Translate can be used to translate webpages, documents and messages into a wide range of languages:
👉 https://translate.google.co.uk/
📄 Additional guidance on using translation tools is available in the downloadable document below.
If you would like further support or have questions about EAL provision, please contact the school office and we will be happy to help.
Asthma Support
If your child has asthma, ongoing management and clear communication are important to help them stay well at school. Children are more likely to experience asthma-related difficulties at certain times of the year, particularly when returning to school after holidays.
We encourage families to ensure inhalers and medication are up to date, that inhaler technique is checked regularly by a healthcare professional, and that the school is provided with an up-to-date asthma plan where required.
📄 Further information and practical guidance are available in the downloadable leaflet below, produced in partnership with Wakefield Council and Asthma UK
If you have concerns about your child’s asthma, please speak to your GP, Practice Nurse or pharmacist for advice and support.
If your circumstances have changed, your child may now be entitled to Income Related Free School Meals. This support can help with the cost of school meals and may also unlock additional funding for the school to support your child’s learning.
Parents can check eligibility and apply online via Wakefield Council:
👉 https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/schools-and-children/schools/going-to-school/free-school-meals
DadPad
DadPad is a free app developed with the NHS to support new and expectant dads. It provides practical advice, reassurance and guidance to help fathers feel confident in their role. The app covers topics such as bonding with your baby, supporting your partner, looking after your own wellbeing and understanding what to expect in the early days of parenthood.
👉 Visit DadPad: https://thedadpad.co.uk/app/
YoungMinds is a national charity offering mental health support for children and young people, as well as guidance for parents and carers. Their website includes advice on emotional wellbeing, anxiety, behaviour, and a dedicated parent helpline.
👉 Visit YoungMinds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Wakefield’s Local Offer provides information, services and support for families with children and young people aged 0–25 who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.
It includes details about:
Education and health services
Local activities and support groups
Advice for parents and carers
👉 Visit Wakefield Local Offer: https://wakefield.mylocaloffer.org/
For more information about how St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School supports children with SEND, please visit our SEND page on the school website.
Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility. The Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership provides guidance and support for families on a wide range of topics including early help, mental health, online safety, bullying and wellbeing.
👉 Visit Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership:
https://www.wakefieldscp.org.uk/
For information about safeguarding arrangements, policies and how concerns are managed at St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, please visit our Safeguarding page on the school website.
Experiencing the loss of a loved one can be incredibly difficult for children, families and carers. At St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, we understand that grief affects everyone differently, and support is available when you need it.
Below is a range of local and national bereavement support services offering confidential help for children, young people, parents and families.
Support for Children and Young People
Star Bereavement Support Service (Wakefield)
Provides specialist bereavement support for children and young people living in Wakefield. Their work helps children rebuild their lives following the death of someone important to them.
Website: https://starwakefield.org.uk/
Telephone: 07881 750094
Winston’s Wish
Supports bereaved children and young people following the death of a parent or sibling. Offers advice, guidance and practical tools for families.
Website: https://www.winstonswish.org.uk/
Telephone: 08088 020 021
Child Bereavement UK
Provides support for children and young people (up to age 25), parents and families when a child is grieving or when a child has died.
Website: https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
Telephone: 0800 02 888 40
Support Following the Loss of a Baby or During Pregnancy
SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society)
Offers support to families affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth.
Website: https://www.sands.org.uk/
National helpline: 020 7436 5881
Local Wakefield support: https://wakefield.sands.org.uk/
The Lullaby Trust
Provides confidential support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child. Support is available for families, carers and professionals.
Website: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/bereavement-support/
Telephone: 0808 802 6868
Miscarriage Association
Offers information and support for families affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.
Website: https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/
Telephone: 01924 200 799
Support for Adults and Families
Wakefield & District Bereavement Support Service (Prince of Wales Hospice)
Supports bereaved adults living in the Wakefield district. Self-referrals are welcome.
Website: https://www.pwh.org.uk/our-care/for-patients/w-d-bereavement-service
Telephone: 01977 781452
Compassionate Friends
Supports bereaved parents and families after the death of a child.
Website: https://www.tcf.org.uk/
Telephone: 0345 123 2304
Bereavement by Suicide
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)
Provides support to those bereaved by suicide, helping reduce isolation and offering understanding from others with shared experience.
Website: https://www.uk-sobs.org.uk/
Telephone: 0300 111 5065
Healthtalk
An online resource where people share personal experiences of bereavement, including bereavement by suicide.
Website: https://healthtalk.org
Emotional and Mental Health Support
Samaritans
Available for anyone experiencing distress, grief or emotional crisis.
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
Telephone: 116 123 (free, 24 hours)
SWYPFT Single Point of Access (SPA)
Provides emotional and mental health support ranging from talking therapies to crisis intervention.
Website: https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/services/single-point-of-access/
Local telephone: 01924 316 900
West Yorkshire & Harrogate Grief and Loss Support Service
Supports anyone experiencing grief or loss, or worried about losing someone.
Website: https://www.griefandlosswyh.co.uk/
Telephone: 0808 196 3833
A Gentle Reminder
If you feel your child may need additional support, please do not hesitate to contact school. We are here to listen and can help signpost families to appropriate services.
You are not alone, and support is available.
Please find the downloadable documents with information available to you.
Support for Carers/Young Carers:
Infant Crying – Advice for New Parents
Crying is a normal part of a baby’s development and often increases from around two weeks of age. Babies may cry more frequently as they adjust to the world around them. Sometimes simple comfort methods can help soothe a baby and reduce crying. You may wish to check whether your baby is hungry, tired, overstimulated or needs a nappy change.
If you have checked that your baby is safe and the crying is becoming overwhelming, it is okay to place your baby somewhere safe and take a short break. Stepping away for a few minutes to calm yourself can help you return feeling more in control and able to comfort your baby.
It is important to remember that babies should never be shaken or hurt. Shaking a baby can cause serious brain injury or death.
Helpful advice and short films for parents can be found via ICON (Babies Cry, You Can Cope):
👉 https://iconcope.org/parentsadvice/
Further information and support for parents is available at:
Below are a selection of trusted organisations and resources offering guidance and support for families. These links provide advice on safeguarding, wellbeing, family relationships and online safety.
NSPCC – Talk PANTS
The NSPCC’s Talk PANTS campaign helps parents and carers talk to children in an age-appropriate way about staying safe from sexual abuse, using simple, child-friendly language.
Watch the Talk PANTS video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SzbMEVYjugPANTS guide for parents:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/understanding-child-sexual-abuse/
Home or Out Alone – NSPCC
Guidance for parents on helping children stay safe when they are home alone or out independently.
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/leaflets/home-or-out-alone-guide
Parental Separation and Family Relationships – Cafcass
Information and guidance for parents and carers navigating separation, divorce and family changes, with a focus on children’s wellbeing.
https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/grown-ups/parents-and-carers/divorce-and-separation/parental-alienation/
Parents Protect
Practical advice and tools to help parents and carers protect children from sexual abuse and keep them safe.
https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/
Dispute Resolution for Families
Support and guidance for families experiencing conflict, including dispute resolution services focused on children’s best interests.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation
Thinkuknow – Online Safety Advice
Advice from the National Crime Agency to help parents support children in staying safe online and developing positive digital behaviour.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
Further support
If you have concerns about your child or would like additional advice, you are always welcome to contact the school. We can help signpost families to appropriate support services and guidance.