Parent and Family Support

Our Parent Support Advisor is Miss Harrison 

Hello, I'm Sarah Harrison ,Your Parent Support Advisor

I work in school three days a week, and I am here to support you and your family. My role is to offer a friendly, confidential space where you can talk about anything that might be affecting your child’s well-being, behaviour, or learning.

Whether you're facing challenges at home, need help accessing services, or just want someone to listen, I’m here to help.

I work closely with parents, carers, and staff to make sure every child feels safe, supported, and ready to thrive.

Please feel free to get in touch on 07483950012 or wellbeing@stjosephscoundon.bhcet.org.uk– no concern is too small.

 

Local Support 

1. Family Hubs

Durham has 15 Family Hubs offering support from pregnancy up to age 19 (or 25 for children with SEND). Services include:

2. Durham County Carers Support

Offers help for unpaid parent carers, including:

  • Parent Carer Needs Assessments (PCNA)
  • Help with DLA forms and benefits
  • Support at Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings
  • Peer support groups and training
    Contact: 0300 005 1213
    Parent Carer Support – DCCS [dccarers.org]

3. Waves Parent & Carer Support Group

  • Run by Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, this group supports parents of children (0–25) with emotional or mental health needs. Sessions are held monthly across Durham and Darlington.

  • Email: TEWV.waves@nhs.net

  • Waves Support Group Info [tewv.nhs.uk]

4. Early Help Services

Durham’s Early Help Strategy focuses on identifying and supporting families early to prevent issues from escalating. Support includes:

5. NCT Durham Parent Support Groups

Community-led groups offering:

 

Piece of Mind 

What Is the Piece of Mind NHS Team?

The Piece of Mind Team (formerly known as the Mental Health Support Team) is a fantastic NHS service working directly with primary schools including St Joseph's across County Durham to support children’s emotional well-being and mental health.

They offer a range of support including:

  • Whole-class sessions to promote emotional resilience and mental health awareness
  • Assemblies and workshops tailored to children’s needs
  • Individual and small group interventions for pupils experiencing anxiety or low mood
  • Parent-led CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) sessions to help families confidently support their children at home

Their work is all about early intervention, helping children feel safe, understood, and supported before challenges grow bigger. They also work closely with school staff to build a whole-school approach to mental health.

If you’d like to know more or think your child might benefit from support, please speak to Miss Harrison.

 

The Bungalow Partnership - Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Schools

At our school, we work in partnership with The Bungalow Partnership, a registered charity offering specialist therapeutic support to children, young people, and families. Their team of trained counsellors and therapists provide a safe, nurturing space for children to explore and manage difficult emotions, experiences, or behaviours that may be affecting their well-being or learning.

Support from The Bungalow Partnership may include:

  • One-to-one counselling for children experiencing anxiety, trauma, or emotional distress
  • Play and creative therapies tailored to younger children
  • Family support and guidance to help strengthen relationships and build resilience
  • Collaboration with school staff to ensure joined-up care and positive outcomes

Their work is grounded in compassion and creativity, helping children feel heard, understood, and empowered. If you feel your child may benefit from this support, please speak to Miss Harrison.