Family Support & FASST
Family Support and Early Help
Supporting Our Students and Families
At Fountains High School, we believe that children and young people achieve the best outcomes when schools and families work together.
We recognise that every family may need support at different times and for different reasons. Our aim is to provide the right support, at the right time, helping children, young people and families to overcome challenges, access services and achieve positive outcomes.
Whether you have concerns about your child’s wellbeing, attendance, emotional health, behaviour or family circumstances, our team is here to listen and help.
Our Family Support Offer
Our Family Support Team works closely with students, families, school staff and external professionals to provide guidance, practical support and signposting to services when needed.
We can support with:
- Emotional health and wellbeing.
- Attendance and engagement with school.
- Friendship and relationship difficulties.
- Behaviour and emotional regulation.
- Practical advice and guidance for parents and carers.
- Family challenges and significant life changes.
- Accessing local services and community support.
- Support and guidance regarding benefits, finances and available family support services.
- SEND transport queries with Local Authority transport teams.
- Early Help support.
- Children’s Social Care involvement.
- Safeguarding and welfare concerns.
- Multi-agency meetings and coordinated support.
Our approach is supportive, collaborative and non-judgemental. We aim to build positive relationships with families and work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for every student.
Meet Our Family Support Team
Holly Lakin
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Senior Mental Health Lead
Holly oversees safeguarding, wellbeing and early help across the school and works closely with families and external professionals to ensure students receive the support they need.
Chris Mulvenney
Attendance & Engagement Officer
Chris supports students and families to promote positive attendance, remove barriers to school engagement and help young people access their education successfully.
Michelle Sturgess
Family Support Worker
Michelle works directly with students and families, providing advice, guidance and practical support. She can help families access services, coordinate support and overcome challenges that may impact wellbeing, attendance or education.
Early Help
Sometimes children and families may benefit from additional support before difficulties become more significant.
Early Help is support provided to children, young people and families as soon as needs emerge. It focuses on identifying strengths and needs early, bringing together the right support and improving outcomes for children and their families.
If you feel your family may benefit from additional support, please contact a member of the team. We will work alongside you to understand your circumstances, identify available support and explore the most appropriate next steps.
Esteem FASST
As part of Esteem Multi-Academy Trust, Fountains High School can access additional support through the Family and Student Support Team (FASST).
FASST provides specialist support for children, young people and families across the Trust, helping to strengthen family relationships, promote wellbeing and improve outcomes.
For more information about FASST and the support available, please visit:
Working Together
We value the knowledge and understanding that parents and carers have of their child.
By working together, maintaining open communication and sharing information appropriately, we can ensure that children and young people receive the support they need to thrive.
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss support for your child or family, please contact the school and ask to speak with a member of the Family Support Team.
Telephone: 01283 247580
Email: safeguarding@fountains-high.staffs.sch.uk
