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Welcome to your monthly bitesize e-bulletin from the Parent and Family Support Service.
We offer early help, targeted services and family support in partnership with schools and community venues and most recently due to the Coronavirus our services are available online through webinars, virtual meetings and forums.
Here you’ll find regular updates, information, advice, and opportunities for you to join one of our virtual networks, support groups or attend a virtual parenting session to meet other parents and carers, share your experiences and learn from each other.
For more information about the service, visit our website.
If you like this e-bulletin please share on social media, through community networks or your school website using the following share button, or you can click the hyperlink in the top right corner of this email.
The inspection of London Borough of Tower Hamlets local area’s effectiveness in identifying and meeting the needs of, and improving outcomes for, children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) will take place between 28 June and 2 July 2021.
More details can be found on the Local Offer and SEND IASS websites, including a letter from the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspector inviting parents to complete a survey to share their views.
The survey closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 29 June.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding working families that they can use Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for their childcare costs over the summer.
Tax-Free Childcare – a childcare top-up of 20 per cent for working parents – can be used to help pay for accredited holiday clubs, childminders, or sports activities. It’s available for children aged up to 11, or 17 if the child has a disability. For every £8 deposited into an account, families will receive an additional £2 in government top-up.
The Tower Hamlets Holiday Childcare Scheme will take place at St Mary & St Michael Primary School, Sutton St, E1 from Monday 26 July to Friday 20 August.
Places are limited. Bookings for the scheme opened this week for working parents. Bookings for non-working parents will open on 6 July at 12 noon.
Toynbee Hall is working on a research project with Debt Free London, to create accessible debt advice services that support people who may be struggling financially. They are recruiting people with experience of debt to participate in workshops that will help shape the project.
The workshops are two hours long and are scheduled for July 2021. Participants will receive a ‘thank you’ of £25 for their time.
Attend a virtual workshop for parents to find out about the secondary transfer process, delivered through Zoom by Tower Hamlets Transition Officers.
These interactive sessions will provide key information and explore how to support your child’s next steps on their learning journey.
Upcoming sessions
- Monday 28 June, 1-2pm
- Wednesday 30 June, 10-11am
Platform to Talk - the discussion based virtual sessions from the Parental Engagement Team continues to provide a safe space for parents to come together, share their experiences and get reliable information.
The next Platform to Talk is on the theme of change and new beginnings. The session will explore the concept of change and reframe it as an opportunity for growth and personal development.
Platform to Talk - Change and New Beginnings
Friday 9 July, 10am-11am
The Parent and Family Support Service have a support group for Somali parents and carers.
The Somali Parents and Carers Network meet once a month either virtually or at different locations in the borough. The network provides a safe space for parents to share experiences relating to education, parenting and safeguarding.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 13 July, 11am-1pm, delivered via Zoom.
Praxis is a human rights charity, based in Bethnal Green that supports migrants in crisis or at-risk, ensuring that their basic human needs are met and that they are supported to overcome the barriers they face.
By volunteering with Praxis, you will be helping deliver much needed services.
The charity is looking for dedicated individuals to volunteer in a variety of interesting roles.
Now more than ever, parents need a safe space to come together, share their experiences and get support. That’s why the Parental Engagement Parenting Team have created handy lunchtime drop in sessions for parents and carers.
Join these sessions to pick up useful parenting tips, connect with others and form a network of support. You’ll also find out about local support services available.
Next session
Monday 19 July, 1.30-2.30pm
Delivered online, through Zoom
Tower Hamlets council will be hosting a free online event on Thursday 24 June, 6-8pm. The event is open to all residents, particularly those from Black African and Black Caribbean communities.
A panel of Public Health professionals, senior clinicians and faith leaders will discuss vaccine hesitancy, misconceptions and provide accurate information.
You can register to submit questions to the panel in advance here.
Zoom Meeting ID:726 6621 6639
Zoom Passcode: 68ELwU
Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (in Bengali) is an evidence-based parenting programme that explores child development, the causes of conflict, community involvement and family values.
The full programme is normally delivered over 13 weeks, but now parents have a chance to gain an overview of the programme, meet the facilitators and ask questions with this online taster session. Tower Hamlets parents with children aged between three and 18-years are welcome to attend.
Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities Taster Session
Thursday 15 July, 10.30am–12noon
Delivered in Bengali through Zoom
For more details and to book your place email parenting@towerhamlets.gov.uk,
Include - your name - email address - and, contact telephone number.
The Early Years Alliance has launched its National Week of Play (21 - 27 June) aimed at encouraging professionals to put play at the heart of their practice and supporting parents to explore new play ideas.
As part of the week, there will be engaging online sessions as well as a play panel featuring experts in the field of play.
Emotional First Aid, delivered by the Parental Engagement Team, is an emotional wellbeing programme that helps parents identify early warning signs of anxiety and equips them with effective coping strategies - leading to better emotional health and resilience.
The full programme will take place over five sessions in September, but parents now have a chance to gain an overview of the course, meet the facilitators and ask questions with this online taster session.
Tower Hamlets parents with children from birth to 18-years are welcome to attend.
Emotional First Aid Taster Session
Wednesday 14 July, 10am–12.30pm
Delivered through Zoom
For more details and joining information email parenting@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Alongside the monthly Families Matter e-bulletin, the Parent and Family Support Service also produces a termly magazine full of local and national information on services to support families.
The latest edition is out now.
Did you know that Tower Hamlets offers other email newsletters to keep you up to date on a variety of topics?
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