Our Care Team
Oakdene Primary Academy does its utmost to ensure the wellbeing of all children.
There are three non-teaching members of staff dedicated to this role:
Family Support Advisor: Mrs N Hood
Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs E Bramley
Vice Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs S. Osborne
They are supported by other staff within school that forms our ‘Care Team’. Children know the purpose of the team, they are aware that all staff are Duty Bearers which means we can assist them to be happy and thrive in school.
The care team ensures that all learners are supported during their time at Oakdene. This may include improving attendance, resolving issues between pupils using a restorative approach; that the positive behaviour and relationship policy is implemented effectively and that there is an active, stimulating extra-curricular programme.
The Care Team also work with children on an individual basis (mentoring); they carry out small group wellbeing or bespoke nurture interventions (such as Theraplay/Change for Life/Good to be Me) and support and deliver whole class RSHE lessons when and where identified.
The Care Team liaise with outside agencies such as Financial Management, Bereavement Services, CAFCASS, the Early Help Team, Social Care, CAMHS and independent play therapists; Therapeutic support services to ensure the right targeted intervention is in place to support.
Working with and supporting parents/carers is another key aspect of the 'Care Team's' role. Members of the team are always available in the school grounds every morning and they can also be contacted at any point of the day. Please call the main office or arrange an appointment to come into school.
The team are able to signpost parents/carers for community learning as well as running workshops in school for adults about, finances, behaviour. academic skills, cooking, parental support and many more topics!
Other members of the Care Team
Education Welfare Consultant: Mrs A. Cartwright
Education Five has a proven track record of working effectively with parents, children, school staff and other agencies to improve attendance and inclusion.
They offer: -
Direct work with children and parents to establish and discuss reasons for regular absence and to plan key actions and support needed to make attendance improvements.
- Multi agency working to support families, including the attendance at core groups, ICPC’s. The completion of appropriate referrals including early help where deemed appropriate.
- Home visits, including safe and well checks, notified and un-notified home visits.
ABC currently works in partnership with Oakdene. Each week they offer: -
- Individual counselling and/or play therapy for children and young people (commissioned on individual or half/whole day basis)
- Individual counselling for parents/carers
- Individual counselling for school staff
- Therapeutic group work including issue-based groups (e.g. focusing on anger management, social skills or bereavement and loss)
What are the benefits of counselling and play therapy in school?
- Helps pupils to build healthier relationships with teaching staff and peers
- Reduces emotional, behavioural and social obstacles to learning
- Enhances pupil’s communication skills and emotional literacy
- Develops pupil’s confidence and concentration
- Improves pupil’s problem-solving, coping skills and increases resilience
- Supports and advises teaching staff
Alliance Psychological Services deliver the Trailblaze Mental Health Support Team (MHST) every week. Katie Hopper (Education Mental Health Practitioner) works in partnership with the Oakdene team to: -
- support whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing,
- deliver evidence-based interventions for children experiencing mild-moderate mental health, whilst supporting families
- help transform children’s mental health services in our local areas and developing the links to external services including CAMHS
- support children to make a successful transition from primary to secondary school
