Family Support
Family Support: Our Offer of Early Help
Children learn best when they feel safe, happy and secure. However, children occasionally have worries or feel upset. At St James’, we pride ourselves in supporting children’s emotional needs and those of our families.
All staff are approachable and happy to listen. Mrs Emma Faulkner, our family support worker, will support families; within school or by using other services. She will support you and your child through a range of difficult times.
Mrs Faulkner is able to attend meetings or appointments to support families; sometimes making home visits at the request of parents or carers.
Mrs Faulkner is here to help – so if you need help please ask.
At St James’ we will do everything we possibly can to help your child to achieve their full potential and to enjoy the time they spend with us.
Information shared with us will be confidential unless a child’s safety might be at risk, in which case we have a statutory responsibility to share this information with other professionals.
Keeping children safe and well is paramount – please see the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy below.
Gloucestershire's Local Offer
The purpose of the local offer is to enable parents/carers and young people to identify and access local services. It includes provision from birth to 25, across education, health and social care. Gloucestershire’s Local Offer is available through the website.
Gloucester City HAF
To find out more about the scheme and to apply, those wishing to find out more about eligibility and the scheme can do so by visiting our holiday free school meal voucher webpage here: Holiday free school meal vouchers | Gloucestershire County Council
Children and Families Commissioning Hub
Free School Meal Vouchers issued for school holiday periods is changing
Free School Meal vouchers provided during school holidays which have been funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through the Household Support Fund are coming to an end. This is because the Household Support Fund is ending, and Free School Meal Vouchers for the spring school holidays will be the last vouchers available under this scheme. A different fund, the Crisis and Resilience Fund is starting from Wednesday 1 April 2026. We know food vouchers during school holidays have been important for many families and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure those who need support the most can still access it through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund and other support that we are putting in place across Gloucestershire.
To find out more, please:
- Visit Gloucestershire’s Family Hubs website to learn about the support available for families, including the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, which provides great activities and nutritious food for children and young people during the school holidays.
- Look out for information about the incoming Crisis and Resilience Grant Funding, which will offer support for children and young people who are eligible for Free School Meals. Details on what you can expect and how to apply will be shared soon on the Family Hubs website.
Apply for Free School Meals
Apply for free school meals | Gloucestershire County Council