Well-being during COVID-19 Pandemic
Wellbeing - Children
This is a very strange period of time for all of us, but even more so for our pupils.
Please find below some useful resources and information about COVID-19 for children and young people.
The government have produced guidance for parents and carers about how to support children's and young people's health and well-being during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak which can be accessed here.
Helping Children to Cope With Stress During the COVID-19 outbreak
Advice on supporting children's mental health from WHO
More general support can be found at Healthy Young Minds: Lancashire, you can advice, guidance and support related to children's mental health and wellbeing.
Also recommended from the DfE are:
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Website: https://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/anna-freud-learning-network/coronavirus/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: wellbeing advice for all those supporting children and young people.
British Psychological Society (BPS)
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: advice on dealing with school closures and talking to children about COVID-19.
Children’s Commissioner
Website: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/childrens-guide-to-coronavirus/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a downloadable guide for children about coronavirus.
MindEd
Website: https://www.minded.org.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: an educational resource for all adults on children and young people’s mental health.
Registration: not required, but registration increases functionality
The Child Bereavement Network
Website: http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/covid-19.aspx
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus outbreak.
Registration: not required
Every Mind Matters (NHS):
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/childrens-mental-health/
Key Stages: early years, foundation stage to key stage 2 and beyond
Description: advice on identifying signs to look out for; where to find support; looking after your own mental health
Helplines and websites for your child and or young person
If your child or young person would like to speak to someone anonymously, they could try calling a helpline or visiting websites such as ChildLine and The Mix.
Shout provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text for anyone at crisis anytime, anywhere.
You can:
- text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer
- text with someone who is trained and will provide active listening and collaborative problem-solving
ChildLine provides a confidential telephone counselling service for any child with a problem. It comforts, advises and protects.
You can:
- call 0800 1111 any time for free
- have an online chat with a counsellor
- check out the message boards
The Mix provides a free confidential telephone helpline and online service that aims to find young people the best help, whatever the problem.
You can:
- call 0808 808 4994 for free – lines are open from 11am to 11pm every day
- access the online community
- email The Mix
Wellbeing - Parents and Children
Young Minds for Parents and Carers provides advice about mental health and behaviour problems in children and young people up to the age of 25. You can call the parents’ and carers’ helpline on 0808 802 5544. Please be aware Young Minds do not provide any direct psychological services and cannot make referrals to the NHS or Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS).
Here are some additional numbers that may prove useful over the coming weeks:
Domestic violence helpline 0808 2000 247 (for women)
Men’s advice line 0808 801 0327 (for men)
Respect phoneline (for people who are abusive to partners and want help to stop): 0808 802 4040
Samaritans 116 123
Safeguarding (if you are worried about the safety and welfare of a child) 0300 123 6720, or between 5.00pm - 8.00am on 0300 123 6722
Foodbank: St James' Church in the village continues to have a food bank and supplies are still being given
Citizens Advice 0344 245 1294
Wyre Children and Family Wellbeing Service 01253 741 117
Medical and NHS Advice
Remember that the NHS advice remains the same: any sign of a cough or a fever, stay indoors and self isolate for 7days if you live alone, or 14 days if you live with others. Seek advice from NHS online or in an emergency ring 999.