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.
A message from the Achieving for Children Educational Psychology Service (EPS)
We all realise how difficult it can be trying to talk to children and young people about global crises. AfC Educational Psychologists are often asked about how much to tell children, how and when to talk to them, and how we can feel prepared for challenging conversations. The service have therefore started to compile a list of resources and helpful websites for you to use over the coming weeks.
EPS - Advice for parents and carers COVID 19 (opens a pdf)
EPS - Advice for Educational settings COVID 19 (opens a pdf)
EPS - COVID 19 resources for school staff and parents and carers (opens a word doc)
British Psychological Society - Talking to children about Coronavirus (opens a pdf)
Coronavirus Social Story (opens a pdf)
Infographic about school closure (opens a pdf)
Other useful links
National Autistic Society – guidance and helpline for parents, young people and staff
Mencap - Easy Read guide to Coronavirus
Place2Be – Guide to helping parents answer questions from their children and to support family wellbeing
Young Minds - Talking to your child about Coronavirus and 10 tips from their Parents Helpline to support family wellbeing
Carers UK - Guidance for carers
Information from the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) for families and professionals about coronavirus and support for deaf children.
Families (links to NDCS website)
Professionals (links to NDCS website)
Covibook – an interactive resource designed to support and reassure children aged 7 and under, designed to help children explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing during the pandemic (includes resources in different languages)
English language version (opens a pdf)
Public Health England have produced an easy read version of their advice on the coronavirus for places of education. You can download it here
Coronavirus - NHS Easy Read version
This video provides guidance to parents and carers about how they can help children and young people manage their mental health and wellbeing during any disruption caused by the Coronavirus.
Self-care resources for young people (links to the Anna Freud website)
BBC article - Coronavirus: How to protect your mental health - includes tips on managing anxiety and OCD (links to the BBC website)
Mental Health support for young people - What to do if you are worried about the Coronavirus (opens the Young Minds website)
Childline have a tool box of games and techniques that help to reduce anxiety, and develop coping strategies for children.
BBC Newsround - films for children and young people about Coronavirus