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Please find below some resources that may be helpful for parent and carers of children and young people with SEND or children and young people themselves. We recommend that you read this page and also click this link to the wellbeing resources (opens a new window) on the other COVID 19 section in the Community section of this website.
Masks and Face Coverings
Latest guidance and advice about face covering and masks is available on the Council websites:
Face coverings/masks advice on the Richmond Council website (opens a window)
Face coverings/masks advice on the Kingston Council website (opens a window)
Exemption cards or badges
Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.
This is a personal choice, and is not necessary in law.
Residents in Richmond can apply for a pin badge (opens a new window) that can be worn to explain to others why they are not wearing a mask or face covering.
There are templates of exemption cards on the GOV.UK website (open a new window).
There is more useful guidance about this on the National Autism Society (NAS) website (opens a new window)
This video below about the "new normal" is from Reaching Families (opens a new window)
This video has been published by the East London NHS Foundation Trust
Other useful links
National Autistic Society – guidance and helpline for parents, young people and staff (opens a new window)
Professor Nicola Martin at London South Bank University has produced some ideas for autistic pupils and students and their parents/carers during Coronavirus (Covid-19) which can be found here (opens a new window).
Mencap - Easy Read guide to Coronavirus (pdf)
Carers UK - Guidance for carers (opens a new window)
Council for Disabled Children (CDC) - Covid 19 resources and information (opens a new window)
Information from the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) for families and professionals about coronavirus and support for deaf children.
Beyond Words - wordless stories
Beating the Virus
This short wordless story will help people to understand what to do if you have Coronavirus and how to keep yourself and those who you care about safe. The story also shows how to safely help others who may be self-isolating.Download here: https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/downloads-shop/beating-the-virus (opens a new window)
Good Days and Bad Days During Lockdown
This wordless booklet is made up of scenes from existing Beyond Words stories looking at what makes a ‘good day’ and what makes a ‘bad day’. Scenes address social distancing, lockdown, mental health and daily routines.
Download here: https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/downloads-shop/good-days-bad-days (opens a new window)
Guides for families and carersJack Plans Ahead for Coronavirus: a guide for family and carers
We know that if symptoms are severe then some people will be going into hospital, and this will be very frightening. This guide helps families and carers through the difficult conversations about planning end of life care.
Download here: https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/downloads-shop/jack-plans-ahead-for-coronavirus (opens a new window)
When Someone Dies from Coronavirus: a guide for family and carersImages from titles about death and bereavement to create a guide for families and carers to support conversations about how to respond when somebody dies from coronavirus.
Download here: https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/downloads-shop/when-someone-dies-from-coronavirus (opens a new window)
Public Health England (opens a new window) have produced an easy read version of their advice on the coronavirus for places of education. You can download it here (opens a new window)
Makaton version - Coronavirus (opens a new window)
Coronavirus - NHS Easy Read version (opens a new window)
Coronavirus Short Easy Read version (opens a new window)