At St Swithun’s we are proud of our diverse culture and we celebrate this with our Language Ambassadors and Leaders with various events through the year including seven international days where families are encouraged to support.
Contact Mrs Verhiest (Head Teacher) or Mrs Page EAL (English as an additional Language) coordinator you can phone school 02392 829339 or email [email protected] marking it FAO Mrs Verhiest or Mrs Page.
Moriah Family Support Group
Moriah is a support group primarily for ethnic minority parents and caregivers of children with special educational or learning needs. They host coffee mornings every second Monday of the month from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Central Library’s lower ground floor. The group provides a platform for sharing experiences and offers workshops to educate parents on supporting their children.
Moriah Family Support Group – Portsmouth Local Offer
Ethnic Minority Achievement Service (EMAS)
Portsmouth City Council’s EMAS supports nurseries, schools, and other services in working with pupils who have English as an additional language (EAL) and/or belong to ethnic minority backgrounds. They offer pupil assessments, bilingual learning assistants, and professional development for staff to enhance educational outcomes.
Ethnic Minority Achievement Service (EMAS) – Portsmouth Local Offer
HIVE Portsmouth Directory
HIVE Portsmouth provides a directory of community groups and organizations, including those focused on rights and action for ethnic minority communities. This resource connects families with local support networks and cultural groups.
HIVE Directory: Rights & Action Groups
Portsmouth Local Offer
This platform provides information on services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, including those from EAL backgrounds. It provides an overview of support services, educational settings, and more.
Community Support Services
Portsmouth Refugee and Migrant Network (PRMN): This organization provides a variety of services for migrant families, including those who speak languages other than English. They offer community-based support, advocacy, and integration services.
Portsmouth Refugee and Migrant Network
New to Country
When parents are new to a country, they often face challenges in understanding local expectations and norms, particularly around children’s behaviour and discipline. Contact Mrs Verhiest (Head Teacher) or Mrs Hawkins (Family Support Officer) who are on the gate daily or you can phone school 02392 829339 or email Mrs Verhiest via [email protected] marking it FAO Mrs Verhiest or email Mrs Hawkins at [email protected] for support.
- Support for New Families: EMAS in Portsmouth offers tailored support for families with English as an Additional Language (EAL). This includes helping parents understand local educational expectations, behaviour norms, and strategies to support their children.
- Workshops and Parent Groups: EMAS offers workshops where parents can learn about local school expectations, how to support their children’s learning and behaviour, and how to build positive relationships with teachers. These workshops can be particularly helpful for parents unfamiliar with the British education system and social expectations.
EAL Portsmouth – The home of Portsmouth EMAS
Portsmouth Refugee and Migrant Network (PRMN): This organization supports refugee and migrant families, providing guidance on a variety of issues, including child-rearing practices and behaviour management in the UK. They can connect parents with community resources, cultural liaisons, and local services.
Portsmouth Refugee and Migrant Network
Understanding Benefits and Support
For parents new to the UK, understanding benefits and financial support available is crucial to ensuring the well-being of their family. The UK offers a variety of financial support programs to help families, including those with children and parents who are new to the country. Here’s a guide to some of the most common benefits and financial assistance options for parents in Portsmouth, and how to access them.
Child Benefit
A payment made to parents or guardians of children under 16 (or under 20 if they are in approved education or training). It’s designed to help with the costs of raising children. You can get up to £21.80 per week for the first child and £14.45 for each subsequent child.
Child Benefit: Make a claim – GOV.UK
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a payment that supports those who are on a low income or out of work. It combines several benefits into one payment, including support for children, housing, and working families.
Universal Credit: How to claim – GOV.UK
Working Tax Credit
A payment for working families with low income. It is designed to help those who are employed but still need extra financial support to cover their living costs.
Working Tax Credit: Eligibility – GOV.UK
Housing Benefit
A payment to help with rent costs if you’re on a low income or out of work. The amount varies depending on your income, rent, and circumstances. It can cover all or part of your rent.
Housing Benefit: Eligibility – GOV.UK
Free School Meals
Please do apply for free school meals even if your child is in YrR, 1 or2 as this will provide school with additional funding to support your child (Pupil Premium funding). It will also provide you with additional support like free holiday care and supermarket vouchers (when these are available).
School meals – Portsmouth City Council
Who is Eligible for Free School Meals?
- Your child is eligible if you receive any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit only, provided your annual household income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) does not exceed £16,190.
- Working Tax Credit Run-On, which is paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit. (Anyone receiving continued entitlement to Working Tax Credit is not entitled to free school meals, regardless of income)
- Universal Credit (if you earn less than £7400 a year)
- All children in Years R, 1 & 2 are offered a free lunchtime meal, regardless of the parent’s/carer’s income.
However, all parents/carers of Key Stage 1 children must still complete the free school meal application form, to ensure schools receive their full Pupil Premium funding.
School meals – Portsmouth City Council
Council Tax Reduction
A discount or reduction in your council tax if you’re on a low income or receiving benefits. The amount depends on your income, savings, and household situation.
Apply for Council Tax Reduction – GOV.UK
Council Tax Support Scheme – Portsmouth City Council
Maternity and Paternity Pay
Payments for parents who are on maternity or paternity leave. Maternity pay is for mothers who are expecting a baby, while paternity pay is for fathers or partners who are taking time off work to care for their newborn child.
Statutory Maternity Pay is £156.66 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Statutory Paternity Pay is £156.66 per week.
Maternity pay and leave: Pay – GOV.UK
Statutory Paternity Pay and Leave: employer guide: Entitlement – GOV.UK
Shared Parental Leave and Pay: employer guide: Overview – GOV.UK
Health Support
Health costs, such as prescriptions, dental care, and optical costs, may be reduced or free if you qualify for certain benefits. You can apply for help with health costs through the NHS, often through your GP or dentist. For more details, visit the NHS website.
Get help with NHS prescriptions and health costs – GOV.UK
NHS Dental Services
Regular dental check-ups are essential for children. The NHS provides guidance on:
- Finding a Dentist: Assistance in locating an NHS dentist in Portsmouth.
- Dental Care at Home: Tips on maintaining oral hygiene between visits.
Detailed information is available on the Portsmouth City Council’s Teeth and Dental page.
NHS Find a Dentist Tool
The NHS website offers a Find a Dentist tool where you can search for dental practices in your area. Please note that not all practices may be accepting new NHS patients, and waiting times can vary.
Other Financial Support Options
Portsmouth’s Local Welfare Assistance Scheme provides financial support for families in need, such as help with emergency situations, housing, or essential goods.
Household support fund – Portsmouth City Council
Help for people in financial hardship – directory – Portsmouth City Council
Financial Advice and Support
If you need help with managing finances, such as budgeting or dealing with debt, organizations like Citizens Advice Portsmouth provide free, confidential advice to help manage financial pressures.
How to Access Benefits and Support in Portsmouth
Contact Portsmouth City Council for detailed information on applying for local benefits like Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
Home – Portsmouth City Council
Visit the Local Jobcentre Plus, they can assist you in applying for Universal Credit or provide advice on available work-related benefits.
0800 169 0190