Covid-19 Parent Information

Dear Parent/Carer

We will be placing all the documentation and curriculum updates we send during the crisis on this page. If you have any queries or questions, please email: office@locking.extendlearning.org

If any parents have any questions/queries regarding Safeguarding, Special Educational Needs or Free School Meals, please also email our office@locking.extendlearning.org and we will ensure the right member of staff gets in contact with you.

In addition to our existing safeguarding policy we have also published additional information about safeguarding during the Coronavirus outbreak. This addendum is below.

If your query is not answered immediately, please bear with us, as we are operating with reduced staffing levels during our national emergency.

For up to date Coranavirus Government updates, please go to: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Kind regards,

Connel Boyle

Headteacher

Children's anxiety

During this unusual and difficult time, it is normal for children to feel anxious or worried. Below is a list of websites that may help you and your child find strategies to cope.

We’re living in uncertain and rapidly changing times. We don't know how the coronavirus situation will impact on children, young people and parents’ mental health but there is a risk that the concern that they feel may lead to feelings of anxiety and distress. This is especially true for children who may already have underlying issues.

Managing anxiety

The British Association For Counselling And Psychotherapy have produced some short guidance ‘Coronavirus anxiety: how to cope if you’re feeling anxious about the outbreak’ which can be found here. 

Helping children cope with stress

The World Health Organisation has produced a useful 1 sided poster ‘Helping Children Cope with Stress During the COVID-19 Outbreak’ for parents.  It can be found here 

Looking after your family’s wellbeing at home

The Liverpool CaMHS partnership have produced this 8 page leaflet which includes a set of resilience challenges for 4-7 year olds and 8-11 year olds.  Perhaps children in schools could develop their own to be sent to their peers at home?  The leaflet can be found here

Place2Be guide

Place2Be have produced a guide giving advice to parents about How to support their children and themselves with concerns, sharing tips, and some useful resources, to put this in context.  It can be found here

Worries about the world - Childine advice page

This page includes information on what concerns a child might currently have, for example about the coronavirus, and some things to try to address these worries. Find it here

Anna Freud Centre

A new page on the Anna Freud website provides clear, simple advice to all those who are supporting children and young people - including to young people themselves.  There are 3 videos, one for young people, one for parents and one for schools and colleges.

You can access the page at www.annafreud.org/coronavirus

Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute has produced a page on its website which offers advice for parents from experts about bringing up the pandemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be. It can be found here

Young Minds 10 tips from their parents helpline

10 tips for parents if their child is worried about coronavirus can be found here

Resources to help encourage positive Mental Wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic

Young Minds advice for parents

Tips and advice on where to get support for your child during the Covid-19 pandemic can be found here

How to keep mentally healthy during these uncertain times-Actions for happiness

These ideas and examples can help you find ways to look after your wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.

Books for children who are worried or anxious

NSPCC library service has put together a reading list of books you can use to support children who are experiencing stress and anxiety at this time. View the list

Supporting parents and carers

NSPCC has advice for parents to support them during what may be a difficult time:

• coronavirus (COVID-19) advice and support for parents and carers
• supporting children’s mental health during the pandemic
• advice for parents working from home.
• Supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities

Bereavement support

If at any stage there is a bereavement in your family, there is useful information on organisations that you can contact for support and advice on the VANS website.

Bereavement UK also has a page dedicated to the Coronavirus outbreak which includes advice including supporting children through difficult times/bereavement and when you can`t visit someone who is ill.  The page also had details about their helpline and web-based live chat.

Winston`s Wish also has information around Coronavirus

How to Stay Safe at Home – Easy Read version

There is an Easy Read leaflet called Staying Well at Home to help people to look after themselves.