Wellbeing
This is a very unusual time for families everywhere and we appreciate that individual children will respond differently to the situation we find ourselves in.
On this page you will find links to support, advice and resources suggesting ways to talk to children and reassure them during this period of disruption from trusted sources.
All school staff continue to be committed to supporting children and families’ mental health and wellbeing. If you have concerns or would like to talk to someone please get in touch with your child’s teacher via Class Dojo and we will do our very best to help you.
Firstly, Public Health England have produced 'Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of Coronavirus'. There are links to the most recent Government advice and strategies to look after the mental health and wellbeing of adults, children and individuals with SEND.
Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership have also produced a page for parents and families. It is full of advice, resources and links to other organisations and strategies.
https://cumbriasafeguardingchildren.co.uk/LSCB/CSCP/covid19informationforfamiliesandparents.asp
The Anti-Baddies - Resilience Toolkit for Children - a new resource to support children's wellbeing and resilience during this unusual time.
The activities encourage positivity, kindness and keeping busy. It's appropriate for most of the primary age range, but have a read through first and choose the bits that are most relevant to your child - talk about it with them and be led by their interests/concerns.
Anti-Baddies
The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families conducts research and collates best practice and evidence-based advice for children/young people and parents/carers. The website has recently been updated with advice to support wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.
https://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/anna-freud-learning-network/coronavirus/
Place2Be is a charity dedicated to supporting children’s mental health. This website has plenty of helpful advice for talking to children and answering their questions.
https://www.place2be.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/2020/march/coronavirus-information-for-children
Mind is the UK’s leading charity to support mental health. This information is useful for adults and children who may be feeling anxious about coronavirus and gives tips and advice to support mental health while self-isolating.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing
The Children’s Commissioner for England have produced a downloadable guide for children about coronavirus.
https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/childrens-guide-to-coronavirus/
Also from The Children's Commissioner is a short 'Parents' digital safety and wellbeing kit'.
Parents' digital safety and wellbeing kit
The Child’s Bereavement Network: Advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus outbreak. http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/covid-19.aspx
Newsround is a BBC News bulletin aimed at children. This article explains the current situation in a way that is understandable for primary age children, although younger children will need to access it with a parent/carer as it is quite long!