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.
Our Parent Carer Virtual Coffee Morning is held online every Thursday (during term-time) and provides the opportunity to speak to a variety of professionals in the local community, as well as gaining support from the team and other parent carers.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to join any of the sessions below:
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
Early Help: Sometimes families don't need emergency help from social care but do need to tackle their problems before they develop into bigger issues where you do need the support of social care - this is called Early Help. Trained Early Help staff offer 1:1 and group support to help you to understand the needs of your disabled child. Many families find help is effective with sleep problems and behaviour management. Contact your nearest Family Wellbeing Centre to request support.
https://www.sefton.gov.uk/earlyhelp
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
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
OSSME provides a unique service delivery system which acts as a support framework for children and young people with ASC, their families, carers and the staff within the educational, work and other settings. OSSME has developed service level agreements to support children and young people with ASC working in partnership with other professionals: OSSME contributes to the work carried out for the Not in Education or Employment (NEET) group and offers a consultancy service which can provide ASC specific advice to people in local authorities, nurseries, mainstream and special schools/units, colleges, work-based providers and employers.
For more information: 0151 330 9500 www.autisminitiatives.org/contact-us
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 email 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
Contact (for families with disabled children)
Contact support families through offering guidance and information, by bringing families together to support each other, Listening Ear appointments, advice queries. Contact have a helpline you can call for free 0808 808 3555 Monday-Friday 9.30am-5pm.
www.facebook.com/contactfamilies
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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
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/
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.
Sefton Carers Centre has launched a new helpline for unpaid carers to get support and advice. The new number, 0151 288 6086, will work alongside the centre’s existing methods of contact and is available to all unpaid carers living in Sefton.
The helpline is open Monday to Friday, between 10am and 3pm, with the option for an evening call back for carers who are busy during the day. Carers can also email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
