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Hello and welcome to the latest Family Information Service newsletter. Our job is to give you the info and resources you need to help your family life run a little smoother. We can help with:
- Childcare - finding it and advice on paying for it
- Local baby and toddler groups
- Events, clubs, activities, and fun things to do in the school holidays, for all ages
- Getting parenting and family support
- Finding health and wellbeing support
We cover everything and anything to do with family life, so if you have a question, chances are we'll be able to help, or if we can't, we'll point you in the direction of someone who can. Find us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Call 01743 254400 or email ShropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk
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Moving up and changing school is a big change for children and parents or caregivers. It’s a new stage of growing independence and separation. Fears and worries are normal as well as excitement, as with each stage of childhood development.
The experts at In Our Place have come up with some great resources to help you, help your child cope with their fears, and nurture them to feel brave and capable.
These resources can be used for children navigating the changes from nursery to primary, and primary to secondary, helping them thrive in their new school environment. There are also resources around support for children with additional needs.
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All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 of school receive free school meals, known as Universal Free School Meals.
Some children can continue to get Free School Meals from Year 3 right up until they are 18 if they are in full time education. You can claim these Free School Meals if you get one or more of the following:
- Universal credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of pension credit
- Child tax credit (provided you’re not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working tax credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
Holiday Activities and Food Programme
Pupils who get benefits-related free school meals can also get free places on the Holiday and Activities Programme (HAF), which runs during the Christmas, Easter and Summer school holidays.
Pupil Premium
The government give schools extra funding to support the learning of pupils who are entitled to free school meals. Therefore it is worth applying, if you are eligible, even if your child already receives Universal Free School Meals or prefers to bring a packed lunch.
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Is your child starting school this year? Why not borrow a 'Let's get ready bag' from your local library. The bag contains four carefully selected books about daily routines and first experiences, plus tips for parent's and carers. They are FREE to borrow for up to three weeks.
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Have you got your childcare codes sorted for the new term? Eligible working families can apply for:
- 15 hours childcare for children aged 9 months old until they turn 3 years old
- 30 hours childcare for 3 or 4 year olds
If you are applying for the first time you have until 31 August to get your code to start in September (it can take up to seven days to receive your code, so don't leave it to the last minute).
If you have already applied for your code to start in September and received it before 1 June, you may need to reconfirm your details before you take up a place in September. Log into your childcare account on gov.uk to check.
If you are already receiving childcare funding, remember you have to renew your code every three months to keep it active. Log onto your childcare account to check that your code is up-to-date.
Eligible working families can also apply for Tax-free childcare. Tax-free childcare can be used alongside the 15 and 30 hours funding.
you will need to set up an account. For every £8 you pay in, the government will automatically add £2, up to the value of £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children).
Families can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for any approved childcare including holiday clubs, breakfast and after school clubs, child minders and nurseries.
Your child must be 11 or under (16 or under if disabled) and usually live with you.
If you receive Universal Credit you can get 85% of your childcare costs paid back to you. The maximum amount you can receive a month is:
- £1,014.63 for one child
- £1,739.37 for two or more children
You might also be able to get help with your initial upfront childcare costs.
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For parents and carers, there can be a sense of helplessness as your child goes through their exams - you can encourage them and comfort them, but it can be quite a nervous wait until the results finally arrive. This year students will receive their A Level results on Thursday 15 August and their GCSE results on Thursday 22 August 2024
They might feel a range of emotions as they wait and when they get their results - and that’s normal. If they’re happy with their results, that’s fantastic. If they’re disappointed with their results, you and they may have some questions about next steps.
- The Team at BBC Bitesize have put together some excellent resources for parents and young people receiving their GCSE results.
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Childline have an advice page for your child if they are worrying about their A-Level or GCSE results, including what to do if you are unhappy with your results, how to share the news with others and how to build yourself back up afterwards.
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The Mix also have lots of advice on how to prepare and get support for A level and GCSE exam results day.
- Finally, the National Careers Service Helpline provides free personalised advice for students and their parents or carers. If you need help or advice around your exam results or next steps call 0800 100 900 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 5pm on Saturdays. Webchat is also available.
Our Meet n Chat SEND drop-ins are back for the Autumn. They are a chance for families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to get support with general SEND enquires. You can chat with people from Early Help, Education, Health and the Parent Carer Council (PACC). The sessions are free to attend and are next being held:
 Sunflower House Family Hub, Kendal Road, Shrewsbury, SY1 4ES
Tuesday 20 August 2024, 1.30pm-3pm
Raven House, Market Drayton Family Hub, 129 Cheshire Street, TF9 3AH
Tuesday 17 September 2024, 1pm-3pm
Bridgnorth Youth Centre, Bridgnorth Family Hub, 45 Innage Lane, WV16 4HS
Tuesday 15 October, 1.30pm-4pm
Meole Brace Primary School Family Drop-in, Church Road, SY3 9HG
Thursday 7 November 2024, 9.30am-12 noon
You can find info of these and other drop-ins for families on the Family Information Directory.
Can you believe there are still four weeks of the summer holiday left?!
If you are looking for something to keep the kids entertained then you'll be glad to hear you can find loads of local events and activities on our Family Information Directory. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures, workshops or a great family day out, there is something for everyone.
You can even filter by area to find the activities closest to you. Click on the button below and find out what's going on near you.
If, like me, you are running low on the time and inspiration needed to come up with ideas to keep the dreaded 'I'm bored!' at bay, you may be interested in this.
BBC Bitesize have created summer holiday packs for KS1(4-7yrs) and KS2 (5-11yrs) children. Each week they come up with ideas for fun, easy to do activities, challenges and games, including:
- Physical activities
- Creative challenges
- Brain workouts
- Online games
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