Bristol Family School CIC
'Putting families at the heart of learning communities.'
WHO WE ARE
Bristol Family School (BFS) is a not-for-profit social enterprise set up as a Community Interest Company.
It was founded in 2019 specifically to introduce the provision of Multi Family Groups (MFGs)
in schools to Bristol.
We are passionate about the value of MFGs in schools, and of the importance of early and preventative interventions for children, young people and society.
BFS works with the two most influencing areas of a child's life: the family and the school, which is the organisation’s distinguishing offer.
The team is made up of two Clinical Psychologists, and a former teacher now Psychotherapist.
We have extensive experience of working in schools and delivering mental health interventions to vulnerable children and their families.
Juliet Holder
Founder, Director & Clinician
Dr Juliet Holder is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who has worked over a 25 year period with children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. She has worked within the NHS in both London and Bristol. Juliet’s clinical work has specialised in child disability, involving assessment, treatment and consultation to children and families affected by complex emotional, behavioural and mental health issues relating to disability. All her work involves at its heart the impact of trauma on families and professionals, and is a multi-disciplinary and agency collaboration. More recently, Juliet has migrated from the NHS to education, and has worked as a consultant in a special education trust in the Bristol region for two schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Her work there has been systemic, working to support staff with their own wellbeing as well as the mental health needs of the pupils. In addition to clinical work, Juliet has been an external examiner on the University College London doctoral clinical psychology training course. She also has taught on the Royal Holloway doctoral training course, and the University College London Masters course in Developmental Psychoanalytic Theory. Having completed a research doctorate at University College London/Anna Freud Centre with Professor Peter Fonagy and Howard and Miriam Steele on intergenerational patterns of attachment and theory of mind, she is experienced in the use of qualitative research methodologies, and is trained in a number of specialist attachment research and clinical tools for both children and adults. She has presented her research at national and international conferences and has supervised students. Juliet has maintained close ties with the Anna Freud Centre, and currently collaborates with Neil Dawson and Brenda McHugh from the Pears Family School/Anna Freud Centre, through the introduction of Multi Family Groups to Bristol, and related projects.
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Leanne McEvoy
Director & Clinician
Leanne is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with a particular interest in working with groups. Initially training at the University of East London, systemic and social constructionist ideas form the wallpaper to her work. Recently back home in Bristol after an 8 year stint living and working in Melbourne Australia. Leanne was the senior clinician co-ordinating and facilitating the group programmes at The Melbourne Clinic Day Programmes. Leanne is also a certified Mindful Self Compassion teacher and you will often find her facilitating this wonderful group programme in the community. As well as in her private practice where she specialises in the consequences of complex trauma and adult mental health. She has a strong focus on strengths, values and preferred stories of life and identity to promote recovery, healing and growth and provides a nurturing, creative space which offers warmth, humour and safety. When not at work you can find Leanne hanging out with her husband and two children enjoying friends, food, camping and nights by the fire.
James Town
Director & Clinician
James is a psychoanalyst in training, and has a private psychotherapy practice where he works with adults and young people. He has also worked therapeutically with younger children in placements in primary schools. Before this, he has many years of experience of the education system from teaching in a range of schools across Bristol. Working with Bristol Family School is an exciting opportunity to bring together different strands of this experience to support children and their families in a school setting.
Between us we have over 40 years experience working with children, parents & schools in varied environments.
“A child who is better understood will understand parents and teachers better.”
- Peter Fonagy
"Bringing mental health and psychological support for children and their families together in schools."
Testmionials
"My child is a lot better, and I think that's due specifically to some of the very good activities that (the facilitators) have done. There was a story activity that usually he'd be like, 'I hate writing, I'm not doing that', but they all got involved and he absolutely loved it and he's still using that in class. There was a similar game and a taking turns thing and I thought, actually, they have made a difference, and he is more open to trying new things."
Parent, Multi Family Groups
Simone, UX Designer, Brushed
