Parent Support
At Bangabandhu we strongly believe that building strong, trusting relationships between parents and school will ensure that your children will be happy, enjoy learning and achieve their best.
Our school understands that many children and families experience difficult times which can place stress on home life.
If you have worries about your child's learning, health or change in behaviour, it is always best to discuss these with the class teacher, any member of the Senior Leadership Team or one of our school SENDCOs.
Sometimes, there are other problems that parents or carers need some help with and we have a team of people in school who will listen and offer support, working in a non-judgmental way as we know that families come in all shapes and sizes with many challenges to overcome.
Parenting Programmes
Parenting programmes are a source of support for all parents and carers, and support pupil attendance and behaviour management in schools.
Programmes offer an opportunity to share parenting experiences, develop a greater understanding of child development, build positive relationships and learn skills to deal with challenging behaviour.
In Tower Hamlets a range of parenting programmes take place in schools and community settings across the borough, Monday to Friday.
Professionals can refer with parental consent and parents and carers can self-refer.
Below you will find a parenting programme booklet, programme flyer and referral form.
Please email the Parenting Team if you would like further information or speak to a member of staff in school if you would like some support.
Parent Support Services
Here is a range of supprt services which parents can directly access.
REAL’s Advocacy Service
This is a free, independent and confidential service,
Tel: Advice line 10.30-3.30pm 0207 001 2188
Address: Jack Dash House, 2 Lawn House Close, Isle of Dogs E14 9YQ
The Bromley By Bow Centre:
Drop-in Sessions Mondays 9:30 – 12:30
Advice Line 020 8709 9757
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:30am - 12:30pm
St Leonard's St, Bromley By Bow E3 3BT
Tel: 07391 683612, 07928 808 353, 07849 253 477
Email: advice@bbbc.org.uk
Island Advice Centre:
Monday-Thursday 10am -12pm & 2pm- 4pm. Friday 10-12pm only.
Island House, Roserton St, Isle of Dogs E14 3PG.
Drop-in session: Benefits Wed 10am -12pm .
Tel 020 7987 9379 Or you can Email Admin@island-advice.org.uk with your Name and Contact information and they will get back to you.
Limehouse Project:
Tel 020 7538 0075 Advice line Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
Drop-in Sessions Tuesdays 9am – 12pm
Cheadle Hall, Copenhagen Place, Limehouse E14 7EY
Citizens Advice Bureau (Whitechapel)
Advice sessions: Monday-Wednesday, 9:30am–5:00pm – due to high demand please arrive early. Appointments for specialist Benefit & Employment cases booked following an initial assessment at drop-in sessions. Also can be booked by calling telephone advice line 0344 826 9699, Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm.
Address 32 Greatorex Street, London, E1 5NP
Tel: 020 7247 1050
Advice line: 0344 826 9699
Email towerhamlets@eastendcab.org.uk
Website www.eastendcab.org.uk
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Evening Sessions ✓ Telephone Advice
Account3
Account3 is a training and development agency, also providing advice on welfare benefits, housing and debt for Tower Hamlets residents. Attend drop-in or phone for appointment. Drop-in sessions at:
Account3: Friday, 10am–12pm
Old Ford Housing Association, Bow: Wednesday, 10am–12pm.
Idea Store Bow: Friday, 2pm–4pm
Toynbee Hall
Legal Advice; Employment, Housing, Debt, Consumer, Immigration, Family and Civil Litigation. Specialist Debt Advice and Money Management. Macmillan Welfare Rights Advice. Generalist Advice for those who live, work or study in the City Square Mile.
Attend office, phone or email Monday–Friday 10am–4pm, to complete an Initial Assessment to access advice services.
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Telephone Advice ✓ Email
Address: The Community Centre, 52 Old Castle Street, London, E1 7AJ
Tel: 020 7392 2953
Email advice@toynbeehall.org.uk
Website www.toynbeehall.org.uk
St. Hilda’s East Community Centre
General advice on welfare benefits, housing and debt for residents of Tower Hamlets only.
Appointments only: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10am–12pm.
Telephone advice: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1pm–3pm.
Drop-in benefit advice session: Thursday 10am–12pm and 5pm–7pm.
Legal Advice Clinic: Thursday 6pm–8pm. Advice provided includes Housing, Small Claims, Consumer Issues and Employment.
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Telephone Advice
Address 18 Club Row, London, E2 7EY
Tel: 020 7739 8066
Email mail@sthildas.org.uk
Website www.sthildas.org.uk
Bangladeshi Youth Movement (BYM)
Benefits, form filling, housing, homelessness, employment, debt & money advice, family matters, domestic violence, education & training, health, housing lease-holder service, nationality and immigration services (level 1), general advice and information.
Drop in advice sessions: Monday, 10am–1pm and 2pm–4pm, Wednesday, 10am–1pm and Thursday, 2pm–4pm. Telephone advice Thursday, 2pm–4pm.
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Telephone Advice ✓ Email / Skype ✓ Outreach Sessions
Address 21-23 Henriques Street, London, E1 1NB
Tel: 020 7488 1831
Email admin@bym.org.uk
Website www.bym.org.uk
Wapping Bangladesh Association
Mostly Bangladeshi service users, but open for all. Advice and general help including casework on benefits, housing and utility bills for the residents of Tower Hamlets only. Drop-in sessions Monday 2pm–5:30pm, Tuesday 2pm–5:30pm, Friday 2pm–5pm. Appointments Wednesday 2pm–5pm, Thursday 10am–5pm, Friday 11am–1pm
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments
Address: 1st Floor, Wapping Youth Club, Tench Street, London, E1W 2QD
Tel: 020 7702 1708 or 020 7481 9835
Email wappingba@hotmail.com
Website www.wappingbangladeshassociation.org.uk/
St. Peter's Bengali Association
Free, confidential advice with casework; benefits, housing and consumer advice for residents of Tower Hamlets only. Drop-in sessions:
Tuesday: 10am–3pm
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Telephone Advice ✓ Outreach Sessions
Address: Minerva Community Centre, 10 Minerva Street, E2 9EH
Tel: 020 3605 3023
Email: stpetersba@live.co.uk
Ocean Somali Community Association
Ocean Somali Community Association (OSCA) provides advice, guidance and information to the Somali community in East End.
This includes welfare advice, skills training and access to jobs.
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Telephone Advice ✓ Email / Skype ✓ Outreach Sessions
Address: Concordia Centre, 420-421 Burdett Road, London, E3 4AA
Tel: 020 7987 5833
Email: info@oceansomali.org.uk
Website: www.oceansomali.org.uk
Family Fund
is a UK charity that gives grants to families who have a child with a disability. You can use the grants for things like, family breaks, household items, computers/tablets, white goods like microwave oven and fridge freezers, and much more! You can either apply online, print off an application pack or request one to be sent to you in the post: https://www.familyfund.org.uk/how-do-we-apply-for-the-first-time or call them on 01904 550055. Don't forget you can apply every year.
Family Fund accept one application per household. If you have more than one child with a disability, please complete a full application form for one child and then a child details form for each additional child you are applying for.
SCOPE
SCOPE’s Sleep Right offer sleep therapy. Their sleep consultants specialise in working with disabled children. They will give you practical advice and suggest steps you can take to help your child sleep. You can apply yourself online by filling out a short form found at: https://www.scope.org.uk/family-services/sleep-right/eligibility-check/
Education EHC Plan / Transition Services
Tower Hamlets & City SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) 30 Greatorex St E1 5NP
Advice line: 0207 364 6481
Office line: 0207 364 6489
Email: towerhamlets&city.sendiass@towerhamlets.gov.uk
They provide information, support and advice on SEN education, school admissions, secondary school transition, EP appointments, EHCPs etc. They can appoint a case worker who can attend school meetings with you – please note they will need at least 4-6 weeks notice.
ASDAS Social Worker
for under 5’s Children with Disabilities Team Bernadine Mark
Telephone: 0207 364 2694
Mobile: 07950 861765
Email: Bernadine.Mark@towerhamlets.gov.uk 020 7364 2724
Children’s Occupation Therapy
Based in Mile End Hospital they provide a service to children and young people who have a developmental disability that affects their ability to perform daily activities. Aids to improve child self-care such as feeding, dressing, toileting and washing. Professionals, school or GP referrals accepted.
Tel: 020 8223 8897
DCOS (Disabled Children’s Outreach Service)
Psychological interventions, advice and practical support to parents to address behavioural and emotional difficulties of children who have a disability. (0-18years) They accept GP or professional referrals. DCOS can also help with issues surrounding: behaviour, boundaries and routines, understanding and communicating feelings, eating and sleeping. There is a waiting list to be seen, however if you need immediate support you can come to their drop-in sessions at Stay & Play (on the second Saturday of the month) where you’ll be seen for 40 minutes by a child psychologist.
Tel: 0207 364 2184
Email dcos.info@towerhamlets.gov.uk (Please see below for more details regarding Stay & Play).
DCOS Coffee Mornings
DCOS is now delivering the Virtual Autism Coffee Mornings for parents who have a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They will be running these coffee mornings at Kitcat Terrace, Bow, London, E3 2SA (near to Bow Church DLR Station). They will be delivered in English and Bengali. The coffee mornings are a wonderful place for parents to come together and have a safe space for discussions.
Topic: ‘Strategies to support behaviour’ - Tuesday 6th December 2022 from 10am-11.30am
You don’t need to book, just drop in at 10am. If you want to discuss more please email: dcos.info@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Phoenix Outreach Service
Phoenix School 49 Bow Rd, London E3 2AD. Phoenix Outreach Service is a support service for children with ASD in mainstream schools. When a child with autism receives an EHC plan, a member of the outreach service will attend an 8 week planning or TAC meeting about a pupil with autism, and provide advice and support on how best to meet their needs. Schools can also refer directly to POS (Phoenix Outreach Service) for short-term support for any pupil with a diagnosis of autism. Each term they run training programmes for staff supporting children with autism in mainstream schools. For more information on parent support groups and parent training, reach out to the below details.
Tel: 0208 980 4740 ext 305/306
Email: training@phoenix.towerhamlets.sch.uk
Phoenix School has vast amount of home resources that you can access: https://www.phoenix.towerhamlets.sch.uk/thamlets/primary/phoenix/site/pages/homeresources
APASEN
APASEN provide timely, relevant and accurate information, advice and advocacy support to people with disabilities who are over 16 and living in Tower Hamlets. Specialised in PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, Carers Allowance and other disability related benefits.
Advice available in English, Bengali and Hindi. Drop-in sessions – Monday–Thursday, 10am–12:30pm.
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments
Address: Carmine Wharf, 30 Copenhagen Place, London, E14 7FF
Tel: 020 7001 2272
Email: advice and advocacy@apasenth.org.uk
Website: www.apasenth.org.uk
Local Link
Information and advice for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions over the age of 14 who live, work or study in Tower Hamlets. Offering advice on benefits, employment, financial advice, health, housing, leisure, social care and volunteering. Advice available in all languages by appointment only. Phone line is open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.
✓ Drop-in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Telephone Advice
Tel: 020 7001 2175
Email: local-link@real.org.uk
Website: www.local-link.org.uk
Stay & Play
Stay & Play is a Saturday play scheme that runs on the second and the last Saturday of every month at Eva Armsby Centre in Shadwell E1W 3EG. This is for children with disabilities and their siblings to come along and play together. Activities are all free: they have lots of activities, soft play area, sensory room, covered outdoor play area with bikes, water and sand play and creative and art activities. They are currently trying to develop a science-zone. You don’t have to book and can just turn up on the day, from 11am-1pm. For more information please contact Nicole Williams The Inclusion Officer with the below details.
Tel: 02073641450
Email: Nicole.williams@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham
Welfare and benefit support and advice for those with mental health needs. Appointments only. Opening times: Monday – Friday, 10am–5pm.
Address: Open House, 13 Whitethorn Street, Bow, London E3 4DA
Tel: 020 7510 1081
Email: info@mithn.org.uk
Website: www.mithn.org.uk
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Telephone Advice ✓ Email / Skype ✓ Outreach Sessions
The Lettings Team
You can apply for suitable housing based on medical grounds. Please contact The Lettings Team on Tel: 0207 364 7474 and ask for a medical priority form. You will be asked to provide a copy of your child’s diagnosis report. Alternatively you can email: lettings@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Housing Benefits – 0207 364 5001
Tower Hamlets Homes – 0207 364 5015
Choice-based lettings – 0207 364 0244
Homeless Service – 0207 364 7474
Homeseekers – 0845 270 2400
Housing Advice (E1,E2 or E3) – 0207 364 3558
Housing Advice (E14) – 0207 364 7507
Housing repairs – 0800 376 1637
Tenancy Support – 0207 364 5544
Family Information Service (FIS) / Local Offer
The local offer is an online resource which outlines information on services for children, young people and families in Tower Hamlets in one central place. It contains factsheets, useful links, videos as well as an online directory of services. Advice, information and support services on SEND, childcare, education, social care, health, leisure & youth services, events & activities, news etc. The FIS (Family Information Service) manages and maintains the Local Offer: https://www.localoffertowerhamlets.co.uk/ For more information call FIS on 020 364 6495 or email: fis@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Carers Centre Tower Hamlets
Provides advice, information, assessment and advocacy service to carers of adults living in Tower Hamlets including health & social care, housing, welfare benefits, respite breaks and community care services. Drop in or phone/email to book appointment Monday–Thursday, 9am–5pm and Friday, 9am–4.45pm.
Address: 21 Brayford Square, London, E1 0SG
Tel: 020 7790 1765
Email: enquiries@ccth.org.uk
Website: www.ccth.org.uk
✓ Drop-in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Telephone Advice ✓ Email ✓ Outreach Sessions
Legal Advice Centre
Specialist level advice on welfare benefits by drop-in sessions: Monday and Wednesday 10am–12pm. Evening drop-in sessions for debt, general litigation, consumer, small claims and housing – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 5:30pm and Thursday 6:30pm. Employment/Housing/Education advice by appointment. For drop-in sessions please arrive when the doors open, as the session will close as soon as the Centre is full.
To book an appointment for education or employment law, please email or call. Details below.
Address: University House, 104 Roman Road, E2 0RN
Tel: 020 8980 4205
Email: advice@legaladvicecentre.london
Website: www.legaladvicecentre.org.uk
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Telephone Advice ✓ Email / Skype ✓ Outreach Sessions
Family Law Clinic
Account3: Tuesday, 6pm–8pm – confidential advice and assistance on most family law matters including domestic violence. The Clinic is free and is intended for people who are vulnerable and of limited means.
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Evening Sessions ✓ Telephone Advice ✓ Email / Skype ✓ Outreach Sessions
Address: 3 Birkbeck Street, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6JY
Tel: 020 7739 7720
Email: admin@account3.org.uk
Website: www.account3.org.uk
Tower Hamlets Law Centre
Specialist legal advice on welfare benefits (for people who live in Tower Hamlets), immigration, and housing (for people who live or work in Tower Hamlets and surrounding boroughs). Drop in or phone to book an appointment Monday to Friday, 9:30am–5pm.
Employment and Housing drop-in sessions 6:30pm–8:30pm, alternate Mondays
Immigration alternate Wednesdays, 6pm
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments
Address: Unit 1, St Anne’s Street, off 789 Commercial Road, London, E14 7HG
Tel: 0207 538 4909
Email: info@thlc.co.uk
Website: www.thlc.co.uk
Praxis Community Projects
Pan-London advice and support for both new & settled migrants. (Praxis is a migrant rights organisation and our services are only available to migrants). Generalist advice on welfare benefits, housing & homelessness, debt, community care, asylum support. Specialist advice (OISC level 2) on immigration.
Telephone advice: Wednesdays, 2pm–4pm
Generalist drop-in advice for Tower Hamlets residents only: Thursdays, 10am-12:30pm (first-come, first-served)
Pan-London immigration advice pre-booked appointments: Fridays, 10am-12:30pm
Pre-booking essential – book in advance for one-to-one advice with an immigration advisor.
Can be booked up to a month in advance in person or by phone: 020 7729 7985
✓ Drop in sessions ✓ Appointments ✓ Telephone Advice ✓ Email ✓ Outreach Sessions
Address: Pott Street, London, E2 0EF
Tel: 020 7729 7985
Advice Line: 020 7749 7608
Email: advice@praxis.org.uk
Website: www.praxis.org.uk