I am Charlotte; I joined Thorplands Primary School in November 2010 as the schools Family Support Worker and a Designated Senior Person for Child Protection & Safeguarding. And I want to share my experience, because here I received a lot of support, and I am not afraid to ask to write my outline for me if I don't have time, or if I feel that I don't know the topic, because the outline is an opportunity to get a hint in which direction to move and what phenomena to cover.

As Thorplands Family Support Worker I will work with children, their families, school staff and outside agencies to help develop potential and remove barriers to learning.

A barrier to learning is anything that prevents someone from being in a suitable emotional or physical state to engage in school life.

• Absence from school
• Bereavement
• Behaviour difficulties (at home or school)
• Bullying (victim or perpetrator)
• Lateness
• Moving schools
• Family difficulties
• Lack of socialisation skills
• Friendship problems
• Transition (moving to a new year/school)
• Medical needs
• Special needs