A community of love and belonging
At Sacred Heart, caring for children means working in partnership with the people who care for them at home.
Our Catholic mission calls us to recognise the dignity of every person and to respond with compassion. Families experience different pressures at different times. A worry about school, a change at home, a bereavement, financial difficulty or concern about a child’s feelings can all make everyday life harder.
This support is for all Sacred Heart families. Your child does not need to have a special educational need or disability for you to ask for help. You do not need to know which service you need, or wait until a difficulty becomes a crisis.
Start with a conversation. Tell us what is worrying you, what is going well and what would make a difference. Together, we can consider the next step.
Talk to us
Mrs P Cox
Senior Pastoral Lead · DSL · Attendance Officer
Mrs Cox supports families with pastoral needs, wellbeing, attendance and Family Help. Contact the school office and ask to arrange a conversation with her.
Your child’s class teacher
Your child’s teacher is a helpful first point of contact for worries about friendships, learning, settling into school or changes you have noticed.
Please let us know about anything at home that may affect your child’s day. You can ask the office to arrange a private conversation rather than discuss a sensitive matter at the classroom door.
If you are unsure who to speak to, the office will help you reach the appropriate member of staff.
School messages and emails are not monitored continuously or around the clock. Please telephone for a concern that needs prompt attention during school hours. Use the urgent-help information below when immediate support is needed.
What can we talk about?
You are welcome to contact us about anything affecting your child’s wellbeing or their ability to take part in school life. This might include:
Feelings, friendships and confidence
Worries, low confidence, friendship difficulties, bullying concerns, strong emotions or changes in how your child behaves or feels about school.
Changes and challenges at home
Bereavement, separation, illness, caring responsibilities or other family circumstances that may affect your child.
Attendance and daily routines
Difficult mornings, anxiety about coming to school, punctuality, sleep or practical barriers to regular attendance. Please tell us early so we can understand what is happening.
Attendance information and supportPractical pressures
Concerns about food, uniform, household costs, housing or accessing local advice. We can discuss your circumstances and help you explore available support.
Bolton’s cost of living supportWhat happens when you ask for help?
We listen
We begin by understanding your concerns, your child’s strengths and what matters to your family. Your knowledge of your child is important.
We consider the options
We discuss what may help in school and whether advice or support from another service would be useful. Where appropriate, this may include Family Help.
We agree next steps
We work with you to agree appropriate actions and how to keep in touch. Your child’s views will help inform support in a way suited to their age and understanding.
Respecting your privacy
We treat personal information sensitively and share it only where appropriate. We will normally discuss involving other services with you. If we are concerned that a child or another person may be at risk of harm, we may need to share information to help keep them safe.
ACHIEVE: inclusion and wellbeing conversations
Our Unite, Achieve and Celebrate approach helps us work together, share information and recognise children’s progress.
ACHIEVE provides opportunities to speak with a SENCO or our Senior Pastoral Lead about additional needs, wellbeing and Family Help. It can be a useful starting point if you have questions or would like to explore support.
Please visit the ACHIEVE page for current dates and arrangements. You do not need to wait for a session if you have a concern. Contact your child’s teacher or the school office sooner.
Supporting wellbeing together
Feeling safe, connected and listened to helps children talk about difficulties. At Sacred Heart, our relationships, Catholic life, prayer, curriculum and pastoral care all contribute to a sense of belonging.
At home, small opportunities to talk, play, read and spend time together can help you understand how your child is feeling. Let school know if a worry persists, affects daily life or seems to be growing. You can also speak to your GP about health or mental health concerns.
Helping children share a worry
Choose a calm moment and give your child time. They may find it easier to talk while drawing, walking or playing than during a direct conversation.
Listen without rushing to solve everything. Reassure them that asking for help is a positive step, and work together on who else could help.
Looking after parents and carers
Your wellbeing matters too. Caring for a child while managing other pressures can be demanding.
You are welcome to tell us when things feel difficult. We can help you look for relevant advice and support, including services you can approach directly.
Advice and support for families
The organisations below offer information or support you can explore directly. Select a heading to find useful links. Availability, eligibility and referral arrangements vary; check each service’s current information.
Emotional wellbeing and mental health
- Be Kind to My Mind — parents and carers Bolton information about children’s feelings, behaviour and wellbeing, with links to local support.
- Bolton Together — iThrive for parents Information and resources to help families explore emotional health and wellbeing support.
- YoungMinds — advice for parents Guidance about children’s mental health, speaking to professionals and looking after yourself.
Family Help, parenting and local services
Sometimes several pressures affect a family at once. Family Help brings services together to understand a family’s needs and plan support. Mrs Cox can talk with you about your circumstances and help you explore whether Family Help may be helpful.
Family Help is voluntary and is provided with your family’s agreement. If there is a concern that a child or another person may be at risk of harm, information may need to be shared to help keep them safe.
- Bolton Council — family support for parents and carers Local family support, parenting advice and links to services. Check the council page for current activities and drop-in arrangements.
- Find a Family Hub Search for Family Hubs and find out about support available near you.
Money, food and everyday costs
If costs are making school life difficult, please speak privately to Mrs Cox or the office. We can discuss practical concerns and help you find relevant advice.
- Bolton Council — cost of living support Information about money, benefits, housing, food and energy support.
- Sacred Heart — school uniform Our uniform information and how to ask school for help.
- Sacred Heart — school meals Information about school meals. The office can also help with questions about free school meal applications.
Bereavement, loss and changes at home
Please tell us if your child has experienced a death, serious illness, separation or another significant change. Understanding what has happened helps us respond sensitively in school.
- Child Bereavement UK Information and support for grieving children, young people and families, and adults supporting them.
- YoungMinds — supporting your child through difficulties Parent guidance covering feelings, behaviour and significant life events.
Additional needs and SEND
If you have concerns about your child’s development, learning or access to school life, please speak to their teacher. Our SENCOs are Mr M Stubbs and Miss M Fairhurst.
- Sacred Heart — SEND and inclusion Our inclusion team, SEN Information Report, support arrangements and advice for families.
- Bolton Parent Carers Information and opportunities to connect with other parents and carers of children with SEND.
Online safety and family digital life
If an online experience is affecting your child, please let us know. Worries about messages, gaming, social media or friendships online can affect children at home and at school.
- Sacred Heart — online safety resources for families Advice and resources to support conversations about staying safe online.
Domestic abuse and feeling safe at home
If you or your child feel unsafe at home, you can speak to Mrs Cox or another member of the safeguarding team. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
- Bolton Council — family support and domestic abuse services Includes current contact information for Fortalice, which supports people affected by domestic abuse in Bolton.
- Sacred Heart — safeguarding How to raise a concern about a child’s safety or welfare.
External organisations are responsible for their own information and services. If you need help finding or accessing information, please contact the school office.
When help is needed urgently
Immediate danger or a medical emergency
Call 999 if someone’s life is at risk or you cannot keep yourself or another person safe.
Urgent mental health support
Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. This route is available for children and adults, including when you are worried about someone else.
Greater Manchester NHS urgent mental health information
A concern about a child’s safety
During school hours, telephone 01942 634681 and ask for the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a deputy. For other reporting routes, visit our safeguarding page .
Do not wait for an email reply, a school appointment or an ACHIEVE session when someone needs urgent help.
You are welcome to ask
You do not need to have all the answers before contacting us. A conversation can help us understand what your family needs and where to begin.
If you would prefer to speak privately, need help understanding information or require an accessible format, please let the office know when arranging contact.
Page prepared: October 2026