Why does home support matter?

At Children's Support Service, we recognise that families play a vital role in their child's education and development. When families and school work together, pupils make the best progress and achieve their potential.

We understand that every family is different, and what works for one child may not work for another. The suggestions below are designed to give you practical ideas that you can adapt to suit your child's needs and your family circumstances.

How can I create a positive learning environment at home?

Establish routines

Children thrive on routine and predictability. Try to:

• Set regular times for any homework, reading, and bedtime
• Create a quiet, comfortable space for learning and homework
• Minimise distractions such as TV and mobile phones during study time
• Build in breaks and time for physical activity
• Maintain consistent routines even at weekends where possible

Encourage independence

Help your child develop independence by:

• Allowing them to organise their own school bag and equipment
• Encouraging them to take responsibility for homework and deadlines
• Supporting them to solve problems themselves before stepping in
• Praising effort and perseverance, not just results
• Letting them make age-appropriate choices and decisions

Create a calm, supportive atmosphere

• Show interest in what your child is learning at school
• Listen to their concerns without judgement
• Celebrate their successes, however small
• Be patient when they find things difficult
• Model positive attitudes towards learning and challenges

How can I support my child's academic learning?

Reading

Reading is one of the most important things you can do with your child:

• Read together every day, even if just for 10-15 minutes
• Let your child choose books that interest them
• Talk about what you're reading – ask questions about characters, plot, and predictions
• Read a variety of texts including fiction, non-fiction, comics, and magazines
• Visit your local library together
• Model reading yourself – let your child see you reading for pleasure

Homework

Support your child with homework by:

• Providing a quiet space and time to complete it
• Being available to help if they get stuck, but encouraging them to try first
• Checking they understand what's expected before they start
• Praising their effort and asking them to explain what they've learnt
• Contacting school if homework is consistently too difficult or taking too long
• Not doing the work for them – it's okay for them to make mistakes

Maths and numeracy

Build maths skills into everyday life:

• Involve your child in cooking and measuring ingredients
• Let them handle money when shopping and work out change
• Play board games and card games that involve counting and strategy
• Talk about time, distances, and measurements in daily activities
• Encourage them to explain their mathematical thinking

Communication and language

Support your child's communication skills by:

• Having regular conversations about their day, interests, and ideas
• Asking open-ended questions that require more than yes/no answers
• Listening actively and showing interest in what they say
• Encouraging them to express their feelings and opinions
• Playing word games and discussing new vocabulary
• Limiting screen time and encouraging face-to-face interaction

How can I support my child's wellbeing and development?

Emotional wellbeing

Help your child develop emotional resilience by:

• Talking openly about feelings and emotions
• Teaching them strategies to manage stress and anxiety (such as deep breathing, taking breaks, talking to someone)
• Encouraging them to try new things, even if they might fail
• Helping them understand that mistakes are part of learning
• Being consistent with boundaries and expectations
• Ensuring they get enough sleep, healthy food, and physical activity

Social skills

Support your child's social development by:

• Encouraging friendships and social activities
• Helping them understand different perspectives
• Teaching them to resolve conflicts calmly and respectfully
• Modelling good manners and respectful behaviour
• Discussing kindness, empathy, and treating others well
• Monitoring their online interactions and teaching them about online safety

Behaviour and self-regulation

Help your child develop self-control by:

• Setting clear, consistent boundaries and expectations
• Explaining the reasons behind rules
• Praising positive behaviour specifically (e.g., "I noticed you shared your toys with your brother – that was kind")
• Using consequences that are fair and related to the behaviour
• Staying calm when addressing challenging behaviour
• Working with school if behaviour is a concern

How can I support my child with SEND at home?

If your child has special educational needs and/or disabilities:

Work closely with school

• Attend meetings and reviews about your child's support
• Share information about what works well at home
• Ask questions if you don't understand something
• Keep in regular contact with your child's key adult or SENCO
• Follow through with strategies recommended by school or specialists

Adapt your approach

• Break tasks down into smaller, manageable steps
• Use visual supports if helpful (such as visual timetables, checklists, or pictures)
• Give clear, simple instructions one at a time
• Allow extra time for your child to process information and respond
• Celebrate small achievements and progress
• Be patient and consistent

Support their specific needs

• Follow any advice from specialists (such as speech and language therapists or occupational therapists)
• Practice skills regularly in a fun, relaxed way
• Use their interests to motivate learning
• Ensure they have any equipment or resources they need
• Help them develop independence at their own pace

How can I support my child if they're a young carer?

If your child has caring responsibilities at home:

• Let school know so we can provide appropriate support
• Help them maintain a balance between caring and their own needs
• Encourage them to talk about their feelings and experiences
• Connect with young carer support services for additional help
• Ensure they have time for homework, sleep, and social activities
• Reassure them that it's okay to ask for help

Contact Emily Valentine, our Designated Safeguarding Lead, at emily.valentine@css-essex.co.uk if you need support.

How can I work in partnership with school?

Communication

• Read letters, emails, and messages from school
• Respond promptly to requests for information
• Let us know about any changes at home that might affect your child
• Contact us early if you have concerns – don't wait for them to become bigger problems
• Attend parents' evenings and review meetings
• Be honest and open with us so we can support your child effectively

Attendance and punctuality

• Make sure your child attends school every day unless they're genuinely unwell
• Contact school on the first day of absence
• Avoid taking holidays during term time
• Help your child arrive on time each day
• Talk positively about school and the importance of education

Supporting school expectations

• Reinforce school rules and expectations at home
• Support homework and reading routines
• Ensure your child has the correct equipment and uniform
• Encourage respect for staff and other pupils
• Work with us to address any difficulties or concerns

What if I'm struggling to support my child at home?

We understand that family life can be challenging, and there may be times when you need extra support. Please don't hesitate to contact us if:

• You're finding it difficult to manage your child's behaviour at home
• Your child is refusing to do homework or engage with learning
• Family circumstances are affecting your child's wellbeing or attendance
• You need advice or resources to help support your child
• You're worried about your child for any reason

We're here to help. Contact your child's form tutor, class teacher, an Engagement Mentor, or Emily Valentine, Designated Safeguarding Lead, at emily.valentine@css-essex.co.uk

Useful resources for families

General support

• Parentkind – Support and advice for parents: www.parentkind.org.uk
• Family Lives – Advice and support for families: www.familylives.org.uk

Learning support

• BBC Bitesize – Free learning resources: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
• National Literacy Trust – Reading and literacy resources: www.literacytrust.org.uk

SEND support

• IPSEA – Independent advice on SEND: www.ipsea.org.uk
• Contact – For families with disabled children: www.contact.org.uk

Mental health and wellbeing

See our Mental Health and Wellbeing page for comprehensive resources for families.

 

At CSS, we believe that when families and school work together, every child can thrive. Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child's education and development.