At the bottom of this page you can find contact details and websites of organisations who offer support for the following issues: domestic violence, bereavement and mental health.
Sefton Educational Psychology Department have issued a comprehensive support guide for schools, parents, carers, children and young people during the COV-ID 19 Pandemic.
The full guide can be downloaded below however we have extracted some of the more relevant points for parents of primary school-aged children:
5 top tips for parents
Allow children to ask questions. It is natural that children will have questions and worries about Coronavirus. Giving them the space to ask these questions and have answers is a good way to ease anxiety. It is also okay to say you don’t know – at the moment, there are questions that we don’t have the answers to about Coronavirus
Younger children might understand a cartoon or a picture better than an explanation. Maybe your child has an idea too – let them tell you or draw them
Give practical guidance: remind your child of the most important things that they can do to stay healthy and encourage them to engage with these through making them interesting, eg. Singing songs while washing your hands. Base your information on facts and not scaremongering. Try restricting yourself to key sources of information eg. NHS advice and the UK government response
Keep as much routine and structure to your child’s day as possible. This will help your child gain a sense of safety and certainty. Try to keep daily routines as stable as possible during this break. As much as possible, try to stick to daily routines, with wake up times, meals, naps and bedtimes as usual. Children thrive on predictability and it’s good for their caregivers, too
Try to manage your own worries and engage in self-care. Uncertainty can make all of us feel anxious and worried and your children will be receptive to how you are responding. Identify other adults you can talk to about your own worries. Use techniques that help you feel a bit calmer – if you are at home, music, breathing and relaxation techniques, distraction (such as watching something funny) and chatting to friends and family on the phone
Click the link below for this free digital picture book for primary school aged children.
https://nosycrowcoronavirus.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Coronavirus-ABookForChildren.pdf
Key Questions and Possible Answers
Why am I not in school?
The virus spreads when lots of people are close together. In school, lots of children are close together. We are staying at home to stop the virus passing from person to person and to keep everyone safe.
Where are my friends?
They are at home with their families and they are stopping the virus from being spread. By not being with other people we can stop the virus from being spread.
What are the teachers doing?
Some teachers are in school looking after children whose parents can’t be at home right now. Other teachers will be at home with their families. They are trying to keep safe just like you and stop the virus from being spread.
Will I get Coronavirus?
Anyone can get Coronavirus, but more adults get the virus than children. We don’t know whether we might get the virus, but we can make sure you are safe if you do.
When can I go back to school?
We do not know right now when you will go back to school, but the government will tell schools when they can reopen, and schools will tell families.
What can I do to help?
You can keep washing your hands. Make sure if you cough or sneeze, you cover it up and put any tissues in the bin.
Are people dying?
Some people are dying but this is more very old people or people that have other health issues.
What about my learning/maths/English etc?
When you go back to school, you will be able to learn but you can also learn at home too. What would you like to learn about?
ONLINE RESOURCES
Resources for children in Primary School
Resources for Children or Young People with Additional Needs
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
SWACA (Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid)
0151 922 8606
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
Child Bereavement UK
https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
0800 0288 840
Cruse Bereavement Care
0808 808 1677
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Young Minds
Parent helpline: 0808 802 5544
MIND
0300 123 3393