The Parent Carer Team would like to let everyone know that they are available to offer support to parent carers and their families by telephone on 0151 288 6060 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please find information below to help support parent carers during the current situation surrounding COVID-19 that we hope you will find useful.
Government Advice
The government has published guidance about supporting vulnerable children on 22 March 2020. It includes a number of frequently asked questions and is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people
New guidance has also been published that provides household isolation advice for children and young people who live in residential settings, and the staff that support them:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-isolation-for-residential-educational-settings
List of online resources for home education:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-online-education-resources-for-home-education#special-educational-needs-and-disabilities-send
Practical Advice
Resources and guidance about coronavirus to share with parent carers from the Council for Disabled Children: www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/news-opinion/news/covid-19-support-and-guidance
NHS, picking up a prescription on behalf of someone else: www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/caring-carers-and-long-term-conditions/can-i-pick-up-a-prescription-for-someone-else/
Contact, coronavirus information for families with disabled children: www.contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/coronavirus-information-for-families-with-disabled-children/
Advice, learning activities and recommended toys, books and resources for children with SEN: www.senresourcesblog.com/2020/03/16/weve-launched-home-learning-videos-on-youtube-to-help-if-schools-close-due-to-coronavirus/
Variety Childrens Charity - Variety's regular Pod-Ability podcast series explores the unseen, complex challenges facing the parents and families of disabled children: www.variety.org.uk/pod-ability
Support for Kids With ADHD During the Coronavirus Crisis: www.childmind.org/article/giving-kids-with-adhd-support-and-structure-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/#163961_20200415095626
Local Support
Sefton Council has set up a helpline for anyone living in Sefton who needs support due to the situation surrounding coronavirus, please call 0345 140 0845 or visit their website: www.sefton.gov.uk/miscellaneous-pages/support-during-covid-19.aspx
ADDvanced Solutions have suspended face to face delivery for parents but are still available for 1-1 consultations, information, advice and guidance on 0151 486 1788 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
They are also offering information via their Facebook page - ADDvanced Solutions Community Network - their closed Facebook group - ADDvanced Solutions Community Network CIC - and on their website: www.addvancedsolutions.co.uk
The Isabella Trust courses and coffee mornings have been suspended for the foreseeable future. For general questions and information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Information/resources are available via their Facebook page and website: www.theisabellatrust.org
Sefton Parent Carer Forum - Telephone 07541 326860 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.seftonpcf.org
Local Offer: www.seftondirectory.com/kb5/sefton/directory/site.page?id=r2tu1c3jABw&localofferchannel=0
Advice from Sefton Council for home schooling children
The limited opening of schools is causing real difficulty for most parents and carers, as they juggle the demands of their everyday life with home schooling their children.
While schools have provided lesson plans, materials and guidance to support families in this difficult time, Sefton Council has also created a page on its website with information on a wide range of virtual school support, covering children under 5; literacy; phonics; maths; keeping fit and healthy, and more besides.
Find out about the support available for home schooling here.
Taking care of yourself
Looking after your mental health. Expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
Helpful mindfulness exercises for parents to develop the skills needed for unexpected stressful situations: www.mindfulnessexercises.com/mindfulness-exercises-for-parents/
Relax kids, free Calm Pack full of activities and exercises to help families come together and feel safe: www.relaxkids.com/calm-pack
Kooth, online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use: www.kooth.com for more information about please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Financial Advice
Debt Advice from National Debt Advice Line UK: www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/coronavirus-advice-and-support/help-and-advice.aspx
Food banks provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis:
https://southsefton.foodbank.org.uk/
https://southport.foodbank.org.uk/
OSSME, Autism Initiatives
A few weeks ago (March 2020), OSSME recognised what a challenge it may be for our children returning to school following this period of lockdown. As a result, we began putting together the OSSME Transition booklet back to school (COVID-19).
This booklet has been developed as a free resource following our many conversations we have had with our families, children, young people and other professionals over the last 7 weeks.
Using our 5 Point Star Approach to communication, we have included in the booklet the impact on: anxiety, trauma, child's ability to learn and socialise effectively plus other topics of useful information for returning back to school.
If we do not work with you or your child directly or work in your child’s school, you can click on the link below that gives you a chance to request the booklet. Once this is sent back to us we will process the request and send the booklet to you.
Request your copy of the booklet here: https://forms.gle/CLAS8FjQmrMpKWPy9
We hope this resource is of value to you and your child - please look out for further editions.
Sleep Support, Cerebra
Cerebra is still operational and able to support families who are living with a child with a brain condition. They are following government guidelines to safeguard the health of their staff, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit their website: www.cerebra.org.uk/get-advice-support/sleep-advice-service
Free Activities
Download two books for children about coronavirus that aim to give information without fear:
www.nursedottybooks.com/dave-the-dog-is-worried-about-coronavirus-2/
Ykids! Resources from a charity working with children, young people and community in Bootle, Liverpool: www.ykidsonline.co.uk/
Twinkl, 20 Screen-Free Activities for Home Learning: www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/20-screen-free-activities-for-home-learning-ks1-t-tp-2549378?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=homelearning
Carol Vorderman - The Maths Factor (currently FREE usually about £2 per week) to support childrens’ continued learning at home: www.themathsfactor.com/
Konnie Huq - Secret codes, book reading, acrostics and 3 ingredient cookie recipe: www.youtube.com/channel/UCDlSobQTc4IifJEu6Lt22eA
Think Like A Coder. The series, in partnership with YouTube Learning Playlists, will challenge viewers with programming puzzles: https://blog.ed.ted.com/2019/09/30/learn-to-think-like-a-coder-with-our-new-series/
Please be aware of scams in Sefton including an email regarding free school meals. For the latest warnings please visit: www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/news/beware-of-covid19-scams/
Official information on free school meals from the DfE can be found here:
www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-set-out-to-support-pupils-eligible-for-free-school-meals
For more information or support please call the Parent Carer Team on 0151 288 6060 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For information for professionals or to make a referral please click here.
