• Department for Education coronavirus helpline

The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care.

Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:

       Phone: 0800 046 8687
       Opening hours:
       8am to 6pm – Monday to Friday
       10am to 4pm – Saturday and Sunday

The Paediatric Occupational Therapy team of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust has launched a new online video presentation to help parents and professionals of children with a sensory challenge.

The presentation enables parents and professionals to learn about sensory preferences, help with developing resilience using sensory smart strategies and how to adapt tasks to increase participation.

The video and accompanying material can be found here.

•  'Parenting Insight Poster' from Central Bedfordshire Council which may be of interest. It has information about online sessions that they are providing.

• Free school meals (FSM) information from Central Bedfordshire Council

This link can be used for applying for FSM during the COVID-19 emergency.  A child in reception, year 1 or year 2 and not attending school, may be eligible for free school meals until schools return to normal opening.

• Dealing with Anger

8 Ways a child's anxiety shows up as something else

Feelings thermometer

Grounding pictures

Take five breathing

Tense and release

• Child and Adolescent Emotional Wellbeing Programme 

A programme for parents and carers to get advice and strategies to support children and young people with their emotional wellbeing.

Child & Adolescent Emotional Wellbeing Programme – Low mood, self-harm and suicide

Child & Adolescent Emotional Wellbeing Programme – Bereavement

https://nationalonlinesafety. com/guides 

Parents can also type in Wake Up Wednesday which will take them to the website link.  

• Parentline - a confidential text messaging advice and support line for Bedfordshire parents and carers of children aged 0-19. Text: 07507 331456

• ChatHealth – confidential text messaging service for pupils aged between 11 and 19 for any concerns about the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus or the effect on schooling or future exams.  ChatHealth’s school nurses are there to help and also can help with areas of support such as healthy relationships, healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing, sexual health, smoking, drugs, alcohol, bulling.  Text:  07507 331450 

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): keeping children safe online (latest advice and guidance to help parents and carers to keep children safe online during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak) - updated 25 June 2020 with new information on apps to help children stay safe online

• Digital safety during Covid-19

• Bedfordshire 0-19 Service 

Here is some useful information about adult mental health and where adults can access support:

• Staying well during isolation
• Community Updates
• Crisis Support during Coronavirus

• Central Bedfordshire have put together a page of useful resources to help parents/carers find information and advice on topics such as childcare, health and wellbeing, critical workers, school opening and transport, family information and more.

• NSPCC Coronavirus advice and support for parents and carers

• Corona Crisis Survival Kit for men under pressure

• The local authority have produced an invaluable resource pack with two key documents added. The first of these is a two page summary record which is COVID 19 Hospital Communication Passport that lists the most important things that hospital and medical staff must know about disabled persons as soon as they arrive. It is important to complete your COVID 19 Hospital Communication Passport to ensure hospital and medical staff understand disabled children, young people and adults range of access and support needs.

       https://includemetoo.org.uk/covid19/

       https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus/resources/helpful-resources.aspx

• Aquarius, Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service, Bedfordshire

Referral form

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