SEND Support

We are all experiencing another unsettling time, but particularly for those families with children who have additional needs.

The having their return to school in the new year disrupted at the last minute only adds to the uncertainty and lack of routine which makes it hard for our children to understand what is happening.

Below are come resources to hopefully support you in talking to your children about the ongoing changes that are happening around the world at this time, establish a home routine and offer some support for you. 

If there is anything you wish to discuss or need help with, please get in touch and I will be happy to help! 

Mrs Buckland

SEN Resources Blog

This website has lots of advice, books, resources and activities for children with additional needs.

Have a look for some additional home learning activities and some advice on how to support your children during this time. 

Mental Health Support

Below are a few websites which you might find useful, if you need some support or advice around you own or your child's mental health and well-being. 

Teens In Crisis

Website has lots of useful information and videos for both parents and children on supporting anxiety, worry, anger, stress and frustration. The Parent advice sections offers great support and if you feel you need to talk to someone there are 2 numbers you can contact to speak to someone.

CAMHS

CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) have put together a range of resources to support children and their families  who may be struggling with anxiety during these difficult times. 

UPDATE FROM ADVISORY TEACHING SERVICE

ATS Advice lines

Our Advice lines are open daily between 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm.

Further information, resources and You-Tube clips can be found on our web page:https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schoolsnet/your-pupils/special-educational-needs-and-disabilities-send/send-support-services/advisory-teaching-service/

C&L/SEMH advice line is available to parents and settings. 

C&I

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact either the advisory teaching service or myself. 

Advice for Parents from the C and I Advisory Teaching Service

Advice for Parents from the SEMH Advisory Teaching Service

Advice for Parents from the Educational Psychology Service 

We recognise that many children and young people will have questions and concerns about the current coronavirus pandemic. With constant news, social media and a high level of uncertainty, children and adults will probably be feeling more stressed at the moment. Children may have questions, behave differently or appear more upset and it can be difficult to know what to say.

Gloucestershire Educational Psychology Service has created this to offer guidance, advice and reassurance to teachers, parents and carers. Broadly, we will address two main point:

• Talking to children and young people about Coronavirus
• Supporting children during school closures

Talking to children and young people about coronavirus

1. Not knowing what to say is OK - Remember this isn't a normal situation. There are lots of unknowns right now and we will be in situations that none of us have had experience of. 
2. Be honest and factual - It's a good idea to give children factual information. This might mean checking current UK advice and guidance so that you are aware of the current situation. Sometimes if there are gaps in a child's understanding of something, they can fill these gaps with their imagination, which has a tendency to suggest things are worse than they are!
3. Give children the opportunity to explain their understanding - This will help you to spot if a child or young person has misunderstood something, or is thinking the worst.
4. Remember your child's age - Adjust the amount and detail of information according to your child's age. Too much information can be overwhelming. Try to answer the questions they ask.
5. Try to manage your own worries - If you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed, try not to have a conversations about Coronavirus at that time. Children will pick up on your anxiety in the moment, and it may heighten their own emotional reactions. It's OK to feel worried, but check in with yourself first - are you in the right space to have this conversation? 
6. Give practical and specific guidance - Explain how viruses are spread, and help children to understand that they can do things to help. Learn how to wash your hands together, explain how soap is effective against viruses, sing a song while you wash your hands. 

Additional resources to support conversations with children and young people

Educational Psychologist advice on talking to children about coronavirus

UNICEF eight tips to help comfort and reassure children

BBC Newsround pages for children and young people 

Supporting children during school closures

1. Expect things to feel a little more stressed - It unusual for families to spend extended time in close proximity to each other and it may be stressful at times. 
2. Try to have a routine - Routines and predictability can lower stress levels. We all like to know what is going to happen during a day and children are no different. Perhaps create a daily routine together so that there is some consistency. 
3. It's OK if the routine wobbles - Homes just aren't as structured as schools are and so it's normal for the routine to slip a bit. If creating and sticking to routine is causing more stress than it's worth, then its OK to be more free flow.
4. Don't try to replicate school - Home is home, school is school. It would be unrealistic to try to recreate a whole school timetable at home. Most children and young people will not want to do this, and pushing this is likely to lead to tension and conflict.
5. If children are working at home, try to keep work in one place - It's important to have a home-work boundary. Is there a specific place where children can do their work and then keep it safe? If there isn't a specific space, then perhaps encourage children to mark that work has finished e.g. tidying up and dancing to a song!
6. Help children communicate with their friends - Use Skype groups calls or WhatsApp.
7. Limit access to constant news streams - It can be tempting to have the news on the TV, Radio or Social Media all the time but such a barrage of information can be stressful for children. Set yourself times to catch up with the news, and then you can share the key points and highlights with children.