The Family Liaison Team
At Reddish Hall School we have a team of three Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) who work directly with our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Jane Neale. Our FLOs will often be one of the first members of the team that families have contact with when a student begins their transition to Reddish Hall school, and they can support families throughout their child’s journey with us.
What does initial FLO support look like?
Initially, a member of the FLO team will make contact with parents before their child joins Reddish Hall school. This is to ensure their transition runs as smoothly as possible, with parents’ concerns addressed and the wants and wishes of the student taken into account. We understand this can be a confusing and daunting time with lots of change, and endeavour to take away as many worries as possible.
Some students will need a longer transition, with a more gradual settling in period. This could include home visits, additional school visits, personalised information and visuals to be sent home. If necessary, a part-time timetable could be offered, too. Other students may require much less in terms of transition support, but this will be something that remains flexible and can be tweaked if needed.
When a student starts at Reddish Hall school, our FLO team will monitor their wellbeing and check-in with them regularly. They will also be available to address any questions or concerns that parents have. Once the transition period is complete, and providing that all is well, the FLOs will step away from the family. However, they will remain contactable should a family feel they need further support.
Post School Transition Support
The FLO team can be referred to via your child’s teaching staff, support staff, our safeguarding lead, or our well-being coordinator. And this can be for a variety of reasons. It may be that a student presents with low mood, that they are withdrawing from peers or learning, or that their attendance is declining. As a team, we will work to find out how we can support this student and their family, and this will always be with the parents’ knowledge and consent.
Additionally, you can contact our FLO team if you feel that they may be able to help you or your child through a period of upset, anxiety, or behavioural difficulties.
A member of our FLO team may give you a call or arrange a home visit. We find that keeping lines of communication open is beneficial for everyone and will do this in the way that parents are most comfortable.
We attend and lead meetings that support the students’ learning and mental health, as well as the whole family unit. Meetings may be at the students’ home, at school, a sibling’s school, CAMHS, or they can be held virtually.
Our FLOs are well placed to refer families to our wellbeing hub, or outside agencies, and can remain as support people for families to answer questions, provide advice, or just to be a familiar face (or voice at the end of the phone).
Who are our FLOs?
Our FLO team come from various backgrounds, and putting their individual experiences and expertise together, formulates highly supportive packages for our families. The FLO team are all parents. Some who have children with complex additional needs and disabilities.
While some staff can sympathise, our team can empathise. They have been in the position of transitioning a child from mainstream to a specialist provision and are here to help you through this and beyond.
Our team are:
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Becky Clarke
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Laura Phelps
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Kaiya Garside
All are contactable through the main office number – 0161 442 1197.
If you would like to get in touch with us through email, we reachable using reddishflo@reddishhallschool.co.uk.