Wellbeing and Family Support
Podcast Videos: Supporting you through these difficult times
Episode 1 -Survive and Thrive
Episode 2 - Encouragement
Episode 3 - Resilience
Episode 4 - Teamwork
Government Guidance:
The Government has provided a range of materials that provide advice and guidance for parents through the coronavirus outbreak:​
The Government has updated some advice on frequently asked questions about what you can and can’t do during this period:
What parents and carers need to know about schools, colleges and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak:
​
Supporting your children's education during coronavirus (COVID-19):
​
The following link contains general Government advice on the wearing of face coverings:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online:
​
Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak:
​
Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19):
​
Help with Food and Free School Meals:
​
In line with Government guidance during the school closure period, we have been supporting families with children who are eligible under the scheme with vouchers towards their shopping. If you are currently not registered for Free School Meals, and feel you may be entitled to apply then all the information can be found at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.
​
The Family Hub is an organisation that help individuals and families with a range of advice on how to feed a family on a budget. If you need assistance, follow this link: https://www.staffordshireconnects.info/kb5/staffordshire/directory/service.page?id=AQbmpSMTCfk
The Rising Brook Food Bank is there to support those in need of food or other necessities in the local community through the current crisis. They are based at Rising Brook Community Church Centre and happy for anyone to go along and chat to a member of their team. They are open from Monday to Friday 9.30am to 11.30am and can be contacted on 01785 214750. Email help@risingbrook.org
​
The House of Bread are offering food hampers and prepared meals if required as part of their offer to the community through the current crisis. The contact number for House of Bread 01785 243492. Families can call direct and press option one. This service is available seven days a week. Alternatively visit the website for more information www.hobstafford.co.uk
​
Well-Being Services and Support:
Social connections, alongside exercise, sleep, diet and routine, are important protective factors for mental health. Social isolation, reduced exercise and bereavement may affect children’s wellbeing in this period. A wide range of organisations are producing resources to promote and support children and young people’s mental wellbeing.
​
Banardo’s have launched a helpline to support families as a result of the impact of the pandemic on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Helpline staff are either Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community, or have professional experience of delivering services to children, young people and their families from those communities. An information leaflet can be found by clicking this link.
MindEd educational resources for adults about children and young people’s mental health which is relevant for parents and carers as well as volunteers, teachers, and other professionals working with children.
Every Mind Matters platform which supports looking after your own and other’s mental health · guidance on looking after wellbeing and mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Staffordshire County Council has put together some information that you can signpost your pupils' families to, to help them improve how the whole family feels each day and to ensure everyone’s keeping active during this time: Doing Our Bit website
Staffordshire Connects also has an interactive map at Children's mental health support pathway | Staffordshire Connects that highlights how to access support for Children’s mental health.
​
Digital Parenting Support is a free online support service for parents with children of all ages. This includes a “chat” facility with parenting coaches who offer professional advice and support. Within this service there is also online information for mental health, parenting, dealing with parental conflict, what I need to know about the Covid-19 situation and practical home learning and activity ideas. For more info please see the website: www.parents.actionforchildren.org.uk
CAMHS now have a self-referral form which can be accessed online for under 18's (parental consent is still required). Please click on the following link:
https://www.staffordshireconnects.info/kb5/staffordshire/directory/service.page?id=CT6_miwW_1A
CAMHS also provides a wide range of resources for young people: www.camhs-resources.co.uk
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) have launched a local page on a ground-breaking website ‘Health for Teens’: www.healthforteens.co.uk
​
This unique website is the first NHS website that has been created by and for young people, complementing and raising the accessibility of School Nurses.
​
The main website features a diverse range of health topics from mental health to puberty, sexual health to bereavement. The articles, quizzes, and interactive content has been written and overseen by experts from services including school nursing, health improvement, smoking cessation, dietetics, paediatricians and mental health.
​
Please see below the link to the autism provider Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust.
https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/children-and-young-people-autism-service
​
​The NSPCC continue to provide a huge amount of information to support children and adults through these challenging times.
NSPCC Helpline Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-icCAGIDMiA&feature=youtu.be&safe=active
NSPCC Supporting Children’s Mental Health: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-health-development/child-mental-health NSPCC
Lockdown and Separated Parents: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/separation-and-divorce/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Coronavirus%20%28COVID-19%29%2C%20lockdown%20and%20separated%20parents&utm_campaign=SIEU-2020-05-07
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have identified a range of useful websites and information to help children and parents. https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/covid-19-resources-parents-carers
​
Managing Conflict at Home: Please following this link a fantastic resource aimed at 11-19 year-olds to identify and manage their anger while at home.
Re-solv: For drug and alcohol online resources and support see: https://www.re-solv.org/
​​
The Anna Freud Centre has published a range of resources to help support the mental health of children, young people, and parents.
Toolkit 1 provides videos to provide practical guidance and tips to schools, parents and carers about coronavirus (COVID-19) and mental health. There are also activities to ease anxiety that can be done at school or at home and other helpful advice, helplines and resources for adults and children.
https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/coronavirus-resources-for-mental-health-and-wellbeing-toolkit-1/
Toolkit 2 provides resources to help children with SEND and responding to the unique challenges that may arise for vulnerable children.
​
https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/resources/coronavirus-resources-for-mental-health-and-wellbeing-toolkit-2/
Toolkit 3 provides a resource from Stonewall for the LGBTQ+ community, and a resource pack for staff wellbeing and practical activities for adults and children to help stay mentally well during this time.
​
​
We have been provided with some information on how parents can support their family’s wellbeing through this period. The ‘Pupil Wellbeing Parent Pack’ can be found by following this link.
The Children and Family Court Advisory Service (Cafcas) have produced information that provides advice on balancing effective remote working and a busy home life. The information can be found by following this link.
Autism Outreach have plenty of advice on their website and Facebook page should you need it. Use the following link: https://www.autism.org.uk/