Children, families and carers in Bristol are set to benefit as national charity School-Home Support (SHS) announces plans to expand its services in the city.

SHS will be working with Bristol City Council to tackle the practical, social and emotional problems that affect children's school lives and prevent them from achieving their full potential.

Jenny Deeks, National Director of School Services at SHS, said:  "We are delighted to have secured this work in Bristol providing Parent Support Advisers (PSA's) to schools. We know how hard it can be being a parent and we're here to support families by offering support groups, home visits and by making parenting courses available."

SHS specialises in working with families and involving parents more in their child's education, which helps engage children in school and tackle truancy. In the course of their jobs PSA's might have to deal with a range of issues such as behavioural problems, bullying, bereavement, attendance, poverty, housing problems, parenting and relationship breakdowns - all of which get in the way of learning. Their practical support can be anything from arranging financial help from a welfare fund, to dealing with domestic violence issues.

Michele Farmer, Strategy Leader, Bristol City Council said: "Bristol City Council is working hard to raise levels of educational attainment, improve attendance and lower levels of anti social behaviour. There is some excellent work already being done and with School-Home Support on board, I know that so much more can be achieved."

Jenny said "There is potential for us to help transform the lives of many more of the most vulnerable and excluded children, young people and their families in the city.  Over the next few months I will be meeting with schools and the local authority to discuss their needs and talk about how we can produce results for them."

SHS has 25 years experience of building bridges between home and school by providing trained and experienced workers who are based in a school and become part of the school's pastoral care team, enabling teachers and school management teams to focus on managing school business and delivering the curriculum.