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Outside Agencies

Outside Agencies and Specialist Support

At Laleham Gap, we do our very best to provide the care that your children need throughout their education. However, we are primarily educators and as much as we would love to be experts in meeting all needs, sometimes we need helps from the experts in our wider community.

Sometimes parents can find it daunting when schools speak to them about engaging Social Workers or Mental Health Support, but the reality is, more than ever, schools and agencies want to support families so that they can flourish and stay together.

Below is a brief overview of some of the referrals we may offer. These are always voluntary unless immediate steps are required to keep a child safe.

Working Together to Safeguard Children

The visual version of 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' in an accessible document which explains how schools and partner agencies including health, children's services and the police must all work together to meet their statutory duties to keep children safe.

This document tells agencies and families what they can expect if there are concerns about supporting a child's needs.

Access 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' here.

Child Centred Policing Team

Laleham Gap School have a good relationship with Kent Police who are one of our partner agencies. We have regular visits from our Local Child Centred Policing Team. This is to help children understand that the police are actually here to help us.

Officers join in with school events, help deliver Pol-Ed lessons and also host Q&A sessions with parents, staff and our students.

Operation Encompass

Laleham Gap School is proud to be part of Operation Encompass, a national initiative that supports children who may have been exposed to domestic abuse. Through this partnership, the police share relevant information with our safeguarding team prior to the start of the school day, enabling us to provide timely and appropriate support.

This ensures that children are cared for with understanding and sensitivity, helping them feel safe and secure in school.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, please talk to us, we can help.

Children's Integrated Services

At Laleham Gap, we will advise parents when we feel a referral to the Children and Young People's Services would be beneficial. Referrals are made through The Frontdoor which is portal run by KCC.

Families sometimes worry when Early Help or Social Services are mentioned as there is a long running fear that professionals want to remove children from their families or cast judgement on their parenting. This is not true. More than ever, professionals want to help keep families together.

If you need support, but are worried about asking for it and what this may look like, please speak with a DSL for an honest conversation.

If you would like to make a referral or seek help yourself, please call Social Services on: 03000 41 11 11

CAMHS/CYPMHS

CAMHS are dedicated mental health professionals who can offer a higher level of clinical support when it is needed. This tends to be for children who are experiencing extreme anxiety or other serious mental health concerns.

If you are worried about your child, please speak with an adult at school. We can help you make a mental health referral via the Single Point of Access.

If you would rather speak to mental health professionals yourself, you can call 111, Option 2 for crisis support.

Kent School Health

Kent School Health can offer advice and support for children's mental wellbeing, difficulties with transition and managing behaviour. Their website contains an array of materials and useful leaflets as well as an option to make referrals.

Visit Kent School Health to find out more.

Kent Family Hub

Kent Family Hubs are a great place to access advice, join parent groups and find support. If you would like to find your local hub to see what they have on offer, please visit the Kent Family Hub website. This is a great place to find activities and support for your children during school holidays or prolongued periods of absence.

The Pod - Kent Community Health

The POD is an online hub created by the Children’s Therapies Service at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust. It’s designed to support children and young people with a wide range of developmental needs, helping them reach their full potential in everyday life. Whether your child is receiving support for speech and language, physical development, or emotional and sensory needs, The POD offers helpful resources, videos, and guidance to support their therapy journey.

The POD works in partnership with families, schools, and healthcare professionals to ensure your child gets the right support at the right time. It can also be used to refer into services.

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