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Welcome to your monthly Families Matter E-bulletin from the Parent and Family Support Service.
Each month we share information, advice and opportunities for you to join our networks, support groups or parenting sessions.
Read on to find out how you can connect with other parents and carers, participate in family activities, share your experiences and learn together.
To find out more about the Parent and Family Support Service and access our termly Families Matter magazine, visit our website.
There is still time to apply for a school clothing grant. If you are eligible, there is a grant available to help towards the cost of a school uniform for children aged 11 who are changing from primary to secondary school.
Applications can be made up until 30 September and in some cases, late applications will be considered.
Towards the end of primary school and the start of secondary school is a time when many children get their first mobile phone and may start to become more active online. As a parent, it’s important you stay informed so that you can protect your child from online dangers.
The Parental Engagement Team has devised a special online safety session to help. The ‘Platform to Talk’ session will give you an insight into your child’s online world and you will pick up some useful tips to help keep them safe.
Platform to Talk - Keeping Children Safe Online in Year 6 and 7
Friday 16 September, 10- 11am
Delivered online through Zoom
Platform to Talk - the online discussion-based sessions delivered by the Parental Engagement Team, have just launched a programme for the new academic year.
The sessions, provide a safe space for you to come together with other parents, share your experiences and get reliable information.
The new programme covers a range of issues that matter to parents or relate to national awareness dates.
If you are a working parent, you may be able to get up to £500 every three months to help with the cost of childcare. If you have a disabled child, you could get up to £1,000 every three months under the government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme.
The money can be used to pay for childminders, nurseries, play schemes, holiday clubs and before/after school childcare clubs.
Depending on your circumstances you could also receive other support with childcare costs.
The Emotional First Aid course will help you understand your own emotional needs so that you can develop positive emotional health. Over the six-week course, you will pick up some practical self-care tips that are the foundations to good mental health.
Emotional First Aid course for parents
Fridays, 16 September - 21 October, 10am - 12.30pm
Delivered in person in E2
For more details or to join the course, email parenting@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Would you like to meet other parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), pick up some useful information and hear some interesting guest speakers?
Come along to the weekly SEND support group for parents, facilitated by the SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS).
SEND support group for parents
Thursdays during term time, 10am- 12pm
Parents Advice Centre, 30 Greatorex Street, E1 5NP
These free reading sessions, hosted by Doorstep Library, take place every week during term time. The sessions are delivered through Zoom by a team of volunteers who share stories, sing songs and explore the magic of books.
The Tower Hamlets Arts & Music Education Service (THAMES) provides opportunities for children and young people to learn a musical instrument and express themselves both in and out of school, by taking part in choirs, ensembles and projects including:
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Children’s Choir - Mondays after school (7–11 year olds)
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Wednesday Music Centre - Wednesdays after school (7-11 year olds)
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Saturday Music Centre - Saturday mornings (7-18 year olds)
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Soundbox inclusive ensemble for disabled and non-disabled young people, fortnightly on Saturdays (11-25 year olds)
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Youth Orchestra - during school holidays (11-21 year olds)
Opportunities are either free or heavily subsidised and open to children and young people who live or go to school in Tower Hamlets.
The Family Information Service operates a telephone and email helpline from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 020 7364 6495.
You can also visit the Local Offer website to find useful resources, advice, support, information, and activities for children, young people and families, including support with childcare options.
The Parent and Family Support Service offer information, advice and support services in partnership with schools and community venues. Our services are also available online through webinars, virtual meetings and forums.
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.
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