Spring 2026
Family Support at St Ignatius’ Catholic Primary School
Early Help
Early help refers to the offer of any information, advice or support to children, young people and their families as soon as possible in their lives, or when issues emerge, to help prevent problems from escalating.
Early Help Assessment
The Early Help Assessment is an intervention with a family to gather, explore and analyse with them information about all aspects of the child or young person (and their family's) life and then to identify areas where change will address support needs and positively impact on their lived experiences. This is recorded on an Early Help Assessment form which includes the family's Early Help Plan. Your Family's Early Help Assessment is available to all practitioners and professionals working with children, young people, and their families across Lancashire. By working alongside families from a holistic, strength-based approach when areas of support are first identified, will stop escalation towards crisis and the need for more intensive and specialist intervention. Through the Early Help Assessment, Plan, and reviews via Team Around the Family meetings the wider partnership of services can provide families with the right support at the right time.
If you feel as though you and your family could benefit from an Early Help Assessment, please contact the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or Mrs Tammy Croly (Family Support Worker) t.croly@st-ignatius.lancs.sch.uk
01772 555 252
Below are a list of useful agencies, services or charities which may be able to support your family.
ASD/ADHD/SEND Support
Stepping Stones Parenting Course 01772 532930
Shine Therapy Service 07725 193837
National Autistic Society www.autism.org.uk
TAGG www.taaglancashire.co.uk
Key www.keycharity.org.uk 01772 678979 (you need an Early Help Assessment to access support)
ADHD North West 01524 886886 www.adhdnorthwest.org.uk
Domestic Abuse Support
Trust House www.trusthouselancs.org
Preston Domestic Violence Services 01772 201601 www.pdvs.org.uk
NEST text NEST and your number to 6077 or call 01300 1110323 www.nestlancashire.org
Clare House and Women’s Aid 01772 435865 clarehouse@progressgroup.org.uk
Freedom Programme 01772 537898
Safenet www.safenet.org.uk
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) 01772 777344
Child Line 0800 1111
STRIDE Bereavement Support 01772 798746
Butterfly and Phoenix Project 03450 138 208
Minds Matter 01772 773437
Samaritans 116 123
Child Action North West (CANW) 01772 453145
Cedar House Counselling Centre 01772 880909
We have a small food bank available by the school office. If you are in urgent need of a food parcel, please contact one of the emergency food providers in Preston.
Salvation Army 01772 555425 preston@salvationarmy.org.uk
Harrington Street
Preston
PR1 7BN
United Kingdom
Luv Preston 01772 298107
Noor Food bank Any families requiring a food parcel will need to be referred through the Noor Food Bank website www.noorfoodbank.com or email hello@noorfoodbank.co.uk We can do this for you at school.
Noor Hall
Noor Street
Preston
PR1 1QS
If you need a referral to a food bank, or any help and advice about accessing food in an emergency, please contact Tammy Croly (Family Support Worker) 01772 555 252 or the Vulnerable Support Line 01772 906777
Information for parents with children aged 3 or younger
Find out if you're eligible for help with childcare costs at:
www.tax.service.gov.uk/childcare-calc
www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/early-years-childcare-and-family-support
Packed Lunches
We would like lunch boxes to reflect a healthy balanced meal. The recommended contents of a healthy lunch box are:
- A good portion of starchy food e.g. wholegrain roll, thick slice of bread, pitta pocket, plain cracker, pasta or rice salad.
- Plenty of fruit and vegetables e.g. an apple, satsuma, handful of cherry tomatoes or carrot sticks, mini can of fruit chunks (decanted into a plastic container), small box of raisins
- A portion of milk or dairy food e.g. individual cheese portion, pot of yogurt.
- A small portion of lean meat, fish or alternative e.g. 2 slices of ham, quorn, cheese, tuna, egg or hummus.
- A drink e.g. small carton of fruit juice, no added sugar fruit squash. Water is provided.
- One small packet of crisps, a fruit scone or portion of malt loaf, a small cake or biscuit may also be included.
NO sweets, chocolate, food containing nuts (some children and adults in school have an allergy reaction to any contact with nuts) or fizzy/sugary drinks.
If you receive benefits, your child may be entitled to Free School Meals. Contact the school office for more information.
