Safeguarding – Parent Support

Anxiety – advice and guidance

This booklet is a resource to give you some information about:

• What anxiety is
• How to spot the signs
• Tips for parents
• Tips for young people
• Where you can find more help

You may find this useful in the build up to exams.  You can download this by clicking here.

You may find the two factsheets below useful.  They provide information regarding anxiety and mental health.

Understanding Anxiety Fact Sheet 1

Understanding Anxiety Fact Sheet 2

Teenage Depression

Depression isn’t exclusive to adults – it can affect anyone.  The persistent and long-lasting unhappiness characterising depression can have an enormous impact on how a young person thinks, behaves and feels.

This resource from Priory’s Group Associate Medical Director and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Hayley van Zwanenberg explains the common causes of depression, the signs that your teenager may be suffering and what can you do to help them.

For more information and support, please visit the Priory Group’s Young People’s Services page here.

Self harm: A Guide for Parents and Carers

Resource link (external)

Cyberbullying – advice for parents and carers

It’s important to have regular conversations with your child about the online world, including issues like cyberbullying. This will help you to understand if they have ever experienced or witnessed online bullying for themselves, and give you an opportunity to support them and reassure them that you are always there to help.

Please read this article from the UK Safer Internet Centre.

Support Link to External Services

While school is closed, here’s what you can do to keep your child stay safe while they are learning, staying in touch with family and friends, and having fun online.

If you would like to find advice and information for keeping your young ones safe online, Parent Zone has upto date guidance in order to support you –  https://parentzone.org.uk/

What to do if your child sees something upsetting online

Along with the many positive things which young people may see or experience online, they may also encounter things which may worry or upset them.  Visit this link for some advice and guidance.

If you are worried about online safety or ar concerned that someone is being targetted online, you can refer directly to CEOP –https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

Child exploitation – live streaming

We would like to draw your attention to a BBC news article regarding child exploitation via live Internet streaming.

Please take a read here.

BBFC and PEGI Age Ratings

This guide take a look at the two official ways by which you can assess if a particular film or game is suitable for your child.  It is also worth noting that both the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) and PEGI (Pan European Game Information) have search facilities on their websites that can be used to look up individual titles so that you can check their ratings.

Click here to view

Parents’ Guide to Technology

Advice about smartphones, gaming devices, tablets and other internet-connected devices from the Safer Internet Centre can be found here.

Skin Betting

Much is written in the media about online gaming, gambling and “skin” betting. These terms can be confusing as they mean different things in different contexts.  Learn more in this useful guide.

School Nurse Service

Are you worried/concerned about your child?  The School Nurse Service can work both in and out of school to help provide or find support with a number of issues.  For more information, please download this information sheet.

Firework Safety

We have been forwarded a link giving advice and guidance regarding firework safety.  We thought it would be good to share with you at this time of year.

Please take a read here.

Supporting Your Child During Exam Time (Young Minds)

As we start to move towards exam season, Young Minds have launched advice for parents about supporting their children.

Tips include:

• Encourage your child to take revision breaks and find a balance between studying and doing things they find enjoyable and relaxing.

• Make sure they are eating and drinking at regular intervals.

• Reassure them – reinforce that you are and will be proud of them no matter what happens.

• Remain positive and hopeful!

• Let them know their feelings are valid and normal, but also offer support and solutions where possible.

• Anxiety is often worst at night and this means it is useful to encourage good bedtime routine

You can find out more here.

Resource link (external)

Hub of Hope – Mental Health Support Network

This website provides a database of support that enables you to search for nearby services, including a ‘talk now’ feature