Supporting Families

At Harpur Hill Primary School and Nursery, we understand that from time to time family life can have its complications and sometimes families may need some extra help. We believe that by working together we can better support children and families. Sometimes families need support from a wide range of agencies or people, for example, health services, housing services, family support workers, social workers and local police.  As a school, we may be able to signpost a range of services to support families beyond the educational setting. 

We have a Family Support Worker who is able to carry out Early Help Assessments at our school. We can offer advice on a range of concerns or can signpost parents to other sources of information, help and support. 

Stopping Domestic Abuse Together

Stopping Domestic Abuse Together (SDAT) is an initiative led by Derbyshire Police in conjunction with Social Services, Health Services, schools and other agencies, who work together to safeguard children and adults. 

Children and young people witnessing domestic abuse 

Witnessing domestic abuse is distressing and can cause serious harm to children. Children who witness domestic abuse can experience a wide range effects. They may: 

• Become anxious and depressed
• Have difficulty sleeping or have nightmares
• Be easily startled, flinch or react disproportionately to loud noises
• Complain of physical symptoms such as tummy ache
• Start wetting the bed
• Have temper tantrums and display challenging behaviour at school
• Behave younger than they are
• Not want to go to school 
• Become aggressive towards others
• Have poor self-worth
• Self-harm
• Have difficulty forming positive relationships

They may feel: 

• Guilty - because they think they have done something wrong
• Powerless - because they can't stop the violence
• Confused - because it doesn't make sense
• Angry - because it shouldn't be happening
• Sad - because it's a loss
• Afraid - because they may be hurt, they may lose someone they love, others may find out
• Alone - because they think it is only happening to them

What is SDAT? 

SDAT is an early notification system to schools to quickly notify them of any incidents of domestic abuse where the Police have attended a household where children live. This enables schools to understand changes in a child's behaviour, attitude or general presentation and to support children if needed. 

Where to find help and support 

Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Support Line -   08000 198 668 

The support line is the single point of access to all of the commissioned domestic abuse support services in the County. The line is staffed by trained domestic abuse workers between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. 

The following links are agencies that offer support and advice to families affected by Domestic Abuse: 

Refuge: https://refuge.org.uk/ 

National free 24 hour domestic abuse helpline: 0808 2000 247 

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  

Women’s Aid - https://www.womensaid.org.uk/ 

Derby Women’s Centre – https://www.derby-womenscentre.org.uk/ 

Support for male victims of domestic abuse - https://www.mankind.org.uk 

Safe space locations - https://uksaysnomore.org/safespaces