Updated guidance on what parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

We have updated the guidance on what parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We have added content on summer provision, school uniform and a package of support worth £1 billion to support pupils to catch up. We have updated content on school meals and the Covid Summer Food Fund.

The guidance can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

Government information regarding Early Years providers, schools and colleges can be found using the link below:
 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

3.6.20 The government have updated their information for parents and carers about the wider opening of education settings to include details about opening secondary schools to years 10 and year 12 pupils from 15 June and to provide links to guidance on safer travel.

The guidance can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

The government have updated their guidance on helping primary school aged children learn at home to include information on the wider opening of educational settings.

The guidance can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-primary-school-children-continue-their-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19​

Information regarding Lockdown Resources from Mental Health Support Teams: 

Teenage lockdown life

Teenagers may enjoy online fitness and dance tutorials, exercising together with friends using Zoom or House Party, joining BBC sports quizzes on Twitter and making videos for Tik Tok. There are Radio 1 life hacks with podcasts for teenagers and BBC bitesize has a wellbeing page. People suggested baking at home and arts and crafts. Make a list of activities and select one for each day eg watch a film, paint, practice yoga, wash a car, care for a pet. Useful links below:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09c189d

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/52244538

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zjhk8xs

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/dailylessons

Parenting support during lockdown is valuable and the team encouraged families to be kind and compassionate towards themselves. They encouraged parent/carers try being flexible in how they ‘family’ at this time, to limit expectations, reduce stress and conflict at home. The following resources might be helpful:

Useful Blogs

1 – Tips to share with children to help them cope with the new normal

https://weneedtotalkaboutchildrensmentalhealth.wordpress.com/2020/03/27/tips-to-share-with-children-to-help-them-cope-with-the-new-normal/

And 
2 - Getting through lockdown with teenagers

https://weneedtotalkaboutchildrensmentalhealth.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/2and-getting-through-lockdown-together-with-teenagers/

Mind also have a section for parents about supporting teenagers:https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/coronavirus/supporting-your-teen-s-wellbeing-during-coronavirus/

Online Resources

There are a lot of resources online on emotional wellbeing, the Lancs and South Cumbria Healthy Young minds site is very user friendly for CYP, parent/carers and professionals

https://www.healthyyoungmindslsc.co.uk/information/family-and-carers

Along with Action for Happiness’s 10 Keys to Happier Living (see above document also)

https://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living

Or focus on building on strengths with the resilience kit

https://hbtg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/KAN-Emotional-resilience-toolkit.pdf

SEND support

Help with autism was recommended as this has been highlighted in the media as some families report the stress of lockdown has felt tough for them – see attached support from the National Autistic Society

https://www.dimensions-uk.org

School Leaver Support

With Year 11 and Year 13 transitions the following might help provide some guidance –

https://www.gen2.ac.uk/vacancies/student-vacancies

https://www.hellofuture.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/Career-Opportunities-For-School-Leavers-Booklet.pdf

https://www.hellofuture.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/A-Parents-Carers-and-Guardians-Guide-To-Careers-and-Opportunities-for-School-Leavers.pdf

Please see below a useful link to help CYP with the anxieties surrounding covid-19.

https://www.camhs-resources.co.uk/

Recent information from the school nurse: 

Hi Everyone

I hope you are all keeping safe. 

Please see resources link below written by Childrens Commissioner for online safety. 

There is both a child and parent link which covers topics such as fake news, video calling, security settings and digital 5 a day.

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/coronavirus/digital-safety-and-wellbeing-kit/

Many thanks 

Laura Bradwell School Nurse

Where can I go to get support to help keep my child safe online?

There is a lot of support available to keep your child safe online. Below are some useful links to help parents and carers:

·         Thinkyouknow (advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online)

·         Internet matters (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)

·         Parent info (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)

·         LGfL (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)

·         Net-aware (support for parents and carers from the NSPCC)

HARTLEPOOL SUPPORT HUB

During the Coronavirus outbreak, if you are self-isolating or unable to leave your home, we’re here to help you to stay safe, stay well and stay connected.

The Hartlepool Support Hub offers:

• Information and advice
• Emotional support
• Delivery of shopping / newspapers / prescriptions
• Links to other services that can support you

You can contact the Support Hub by:

01429 272905 (10am-4pm Mondays to Fridays and 10am-12 noon Saturdays)

helping@hartlepool.gov.uk (Please provide your contact details and we will get back to you)

There is also lots of information available atwww.hartlepoolnow.co.uk, and via the Hartlepool Now App, available on the App Store and Google Play.

If you would like to volunteer to support your local community, you can contact us using the same details (call 01429 272905 or e-mailhelping@hartlepool.gov.uk) and we will let you know what you can do to help.

Some of our residents will receive a letter advising them to self-isolate for a period of 12 weeks and that they can ask for support for food supplies if they need it. This will be co-ordinated at a local level by the Hartlepool Support Hub – but our hub services go further than that and are for all those choosing to self-isolate.

Free School Meals Voucher Scheme
 

The government has announced today an e-voucher/e-gift card scheme for pupils who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.  All schools are awaiting further information on the scheme so that we can roll the programme out.

The e-vouchers/e-gift cards are for term time only and we are working through the detail as we receive the information.  Our plan is to continue as we have been, offering packed lunches, until after the Easter holidays, but if we can, we will claim your e-voucher/e-gift card this week. 

For the next 3 weeks we will continue to provide FSM’s as we have been so please continue to come into your school to collect your FSM.  We will inform you of further information as soon as we have it.

Further information about the government schme can be found in their guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools

Please email school your email address or telephone the school office.

Mrs Dolphin