Information for schools about how to fill in GRT school records, barriers to accessing services and outreach working with the GRT community
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller school records
If you have a child from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community attending your school you should read pdf Information for schools with GRT pupils (428 KB) before filling in information in a GRT child's school records.
This gives guidance on :
- ensuring a warm welcome for GRT children and families
- admission procedures for Nomadic and Travelling people
- dual registration
- recording distance learning for Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople children and young people
- pdf parent held education records (277 KB)
- general advice for school staff with GRT pupils
- best practice: schools supporting GRT pupils with little school experience
- identifying issues for GRT communities in accessing education
- identity and ascription in schools
- attendance, Traveller status and authorised absences
- other strategies to improve attendance
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller barriers to accessing services
See pdf GRT barriers to accessing services (471 KB) .
Resources to support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families
Resources you can use:
- Save the Children have produced a booklet about pdf supporting early years working with GRT families (705 KB)
- Participation Experiences and Empowerment (PEER) guide for Roma youth Supporting the Participation and Empowerment of Young Roma Go to https://www.peeryouth.eu/ctrl/Home/PEER_guide_Profesionals%20Dec%20%2015_for%20%20publication.pdf (opens new window)
- Friends, Families and Travellers: A guide for professionals working with Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in Children's Services Go to https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/A-guide-for-professionals-working-with-Gypsies-and-Travellers-in-the-public-care-system.pdf (opens new window)
- Community Care: Working with Gypsy and Traveller communities: key advice for social workers Go to https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2018/06/06/working-gypsy-traveller-communities-key-advice-social-workers/ (opens new window)
- Law for Life: Survival guide to child protection for Roma parents Go to https://lawforlife.org.uk/blog/survival-guide-to-child-protection-for-roma-parents/ (opens new window)
- Friends, Families and Travellers: Publications on Accommodation, Criminal Justice, Discrimination, Education, Health and Social Care, Supporting GRT Community Voices, etc. Go to https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/policy-publications/ (opens new window)
- Travellers Times: Educational Resources (including resources for school to help celebrate Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month (GRTHM)) Go to https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/advice/education (opens new window).
Support from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Team
The Gypsy, Roma, Traveller (GRT) Team includes partners from:
- Bristol City Council's housing and education teams
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Stand Against Racism and Equality (SARI)
- schools
- local children's centres
Together we aim to improve GRT outcomes by dealing with the needs and priorities of the GRT communities in a culturally sensitive and accessible way.
The GRT Team has two designated members of staff and one NHS member of staff:
- A GRT Service Coordinator
- Site Manager and GRT Community Liaison Officer
- GRT Specialist Health Visitor, who supports GRT community members of any age
Who the GRT Team works with
The GRT Team works in effective partnership with relevant agencies to support:
- highly mobile people, children and families
- Ethnic Gypsy, Roma and Travellers
- Occupational, Cultural Traveller, travelling groups
- and all services supporting GRT communities
Support from Local Children's Centres
Bristol's local Children's Centres can offer face to face and telephone support for the GRT communities to help find the service they need. The service is free and confidential for the GRT communities.
You can get information and support about:
- what GRT services we can offer
- how to access the services
- tenancy advice
- school placement and home education
- family support and learning
- benefits
- postal support and how to fill in official forms
- families affected by parental imprisonment
- families affected by domestic violence and abuse (DVA)
- health and well-being
- city-wide activities for children, young people and families
- young carers
Contact us
If you're a professional working with or are concerned about a GRT child, young person or family or think they may need some support ask them to contact the GRT Team or contact the South, East Central or North Bristol support service.
If you're a member of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller or Showperson communities you can refer yourself to the GRT team. The only eligibility criteria is that you identify in some way as Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showperson or other nomadic/travelling community.
For families living in South Bristol:
call: 0117 3746 362 to self-refer for family support or
email: southccfamilysupportreferrals@bristol.gov.uk
For all other Children's Centre information around groups, services or general advice:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthBristolChildrenCentreHub/
Web: http://www.southbristolcc.org.uk
email: sbcc@bristol.gov.uk
For Roma Families or families living in East or Central Bristol:
Jane Dennett at St Paul's Children's Centre Go to http://stpaulschildrenscentre.co.uk/ (opens new window)
call 0782 797 9662
email: jane.dennett@bristol.gov.uk
Professional referrals
To make a referral for Gypsy, Roma, Travellers and Showpeople fill in a document referral form (52 KB) , or email Gypsies.travellers@bristol.gov.uk Go to mailto:Gypsies.travellers@bristol.gov.uk (opens new window)
Read the
document
Bristol Multi Agency Threshold Guidance
(29 KB)
before you make a referral.