Education and learning > Parental support

Adult education opportunities in Europe
Details of organisations in the community who provide useful information regarding studying and working in Europe.
Baby-sitting service
Provision of a list of registered childminders. Some childminders may be willing to do some evening or weekend babysitting. There may be a subsidy available for those who qualify for financial assistance, are aged 16-19 and are studying full-time or part-time.
Bullying and harassment policy
Schools should have a policy which sets out clearly what is considered as bullying and/or harassment, how pupils and parents should do if they suspect bullying is taking place and how the school should deal with reports of such incidents.
Education - behaviour development
Educational psychologists work closely with teachers and parents to help children who are having difficulties with: Learning and general development, including reading, writing, spelling and numbers; Emotions and behaviour; Making good relationships with other children and with adults.
Education - early years grant
Local authorities provide a grant to parents from the term after their 3rd birthday for a maximum of six terms. Pupils must attend a pre-school, nursery or school which is on the Early Years register in order to be eligible for the grant. Grants are for a minimum of 2.5 hours per day for a maximum of 5 days per week and for between 33 and 38 weeks a year.
Education - mentoring schemes
Learning mentors provide an additional service to teachers and pastoral staff in schools to help children overcome barriers to learning, both inside and outside the school, and to achieve their full potential. The local authority provides assistance and support to mentors or those who wish to become mentors.
Education maintenance award
For students aged 16 at the start of an education year and who are attending full-time courses up level 3 at schools, sixth form colleges and Further Education Colleges there is a national Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). Entitlement is means tested.
Extended schooling provision
An extended school provides a range of activities and services, often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of its pupils, their families and the wider community.
Family centres
Family centres, often in conjunction with other agencies such as health visitors, offer parents of young children help, advice, support and information on all aspects of parenting.
Free school meals
Free school meals are provided for children whose families are in receipt of social security benefits such as income support or income based job seeker's allowance.
Language and cultural support
Support for children who do not have English as their first language. This may be provided by bi-lingual classroom assistants and resources or interpreting and translation in nursery and primary schools.
Musical instrument hire
Parents and carers can hire an instrument for their child to use in music lessons at school.
Psychology, psychiatry or social work services
Educational psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers can offer an assessment, advice and support to parents and teachers where there is a concern about the development, learning or behaviour of children.
School - breakfast clubs
Provision of breakfast for pupils in schools.
School - clothing grants and vouchers
The award of clothing grants or vouchers to assist with the cost of school clothing for families who are on benefits or on low income.
School - complaints procedure
A complaint about an incident or school must be made to the headteacher. A further formal complaint can be made to the governing body and later to the secretary of state for education. It is the responsibility of the LEA to investigate complaints and to take appropriate action.
School - education in hospital
Teaching is provided on the Children's Wards of hospitals for those children who are well enough, but medical treatment takes precedence. When a child is discharged from hospital but is unable to return to school for some time, we can make a request for tuition at home. This is provided on medical ground and must be approved by the Local Education Authority.
School - home schooling
The LEA will arrange to visit a parent thinking about educating their child at home to help them plan the child's education. They will ensure that the child will receive efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability and any special needs.
School - maintenance grant
Pupils aged 16-19 attending a community (LEA) maintained school, who live in the area and whose parents are on low income may be eligible for a school maintenance grant payment.
School - supervised medication
Teachers or other non-teaching staff may be required to administer medication or supervise a pupil taking it. There is no legal requirement for teachers to administer medication however they are required to ensure the health and safety of all pupils in their care which may therefore extend to administering medication.
School - support for gifted children
Schools should have in place a policy which helps to identify gifted and talented children in all areas of the curriculum and ensure that they are achieving their potential
School - transition between schools
Provision of support for pupils when moving between nursery and primary schools or primary and secondary schools to ensure that pupils are prepared for the transition. This also includes school moves as a result of local reorganisation (school closures etc.)
School - transport assistance
Free or concessionary home to school transport for pupils aged 5 to 16, to further education establishment for 17 - 19 year olds and to post-16 school leavers under certain circumstances. Free transport is usually provided where a pupil is attending the nearest school to their home and this is outside the statutory walking distance from home or for reasons of safety.
School - visits
Schools or the LEA may arrange visits by pupils from short trips to local parks or museums to overnight stays in foreign countries. It is essential that all such visits are carried out with the highest regard for the safety and welfare of the pupils taking part in them.
School admissions - appeals
A pupil may appeal for a place at any community school to which they apply and for which they have been refused a place. The responsibility for appeals rests with the local education authority.
School mentors
Young people who are in need of a mentor to provide additional support and assistance alongside their normal education can do so through their school. The DfES Aim Higher/Excellence Challenge programme can arrange for a school to have the services of a mentor.
Sixth form access funds
Provision of financial assistance for students aged 16 -19 who wish to stay on at school in the sixth form. Students will need to be assessed for their eligibility for grants from this fund.
Special educational needs - assessment
The assessment of special educational needs may be considered when a child has severe or complex educational needs for which additional resources, or alternative provision may be required to meet their needs.
Special educational needs - co-ordinated support plan
A child may be eligible for a special educational needs statement offered by the local authority. This sets out the special educational needs of the child and the special help they should have at school.
Special educational needs - disabled students allowance
The disabled student allowances provides financial assistance towards provision of special equipment and other general expenses for students with disabilities.
Special educational needs - placement in mainstream schools
The local authority seeks to meet special educational needs in local mainstream schools, or at a school or unit which has additional resources to meet particular needs.
Special educational needs - transport
The LEA sometimes provide free home to school transport for a child with special educational needs. Eligibility is based on assessment of individual need.
Student awards
The student awards scheme provides financial assistance towards the cost of tuition fees to students attending a full time higher education course.
Student loan
The student loan scheme provides financial assistance towards the cost of living for students attending a full time higher education course. Students repay loans back once they finish their course and begin employment.