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Bradfields Academy

Bradfields Academy

Support for Families during the Coronavirus

We, at Bradfields Academy, recognise that this is a worrying and stressful time for our families. We would like to thank all of our families for supporting the government directive of keeping students safe in the family home whilst we provide child care for the children of those families who are designated as Critical Workers and have to send their children in for this work to continue.

We appreciate that there is a Government Directive to stay indoors apart from the most essential trips out and this can cause additional stress and worry for families. With this in mind the Wider Pastoral Team have been gathering detail of support that is available to families should the need arise.

There are also details about how to contact members of our therapy team should the need arise.

Food
 

Medway Foodbank - For families who are struggling to afford food, proof of financial difficulties will need to be provided, the following are charities which may be able to support.  Foodbank times, day and locations are available from www.medwayfoodbank.org.uk/locations

2nd Chance Support Charity – Food aid project where food is available at a lower price.  www.mrs.plus   This is located in Chatham.  Telephone number 01634 408840 / 01634 403340

Financial Difficulties
 

Citizens Advice Bureau - Tel: 01634 383760 - www.medwayadvice.org.uk

Stepchange – Tel:  0800 1381111 - www.stepchange.org/debt-info/coronavirus-affecting-finances.aspx

Christians Against Poverty - Tel: 0800 3280006 - www.capdebthelp.org      

All Saints Community Project Trust – 01634 845419

GOV.UK website is being regularly updated with regards to benefits that may be available to those affected with the Coronavirus.  www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support

Mortgages - Contact your mortgage lender to negotiate a payment holiday, if you are unable to afford to pay due to impact of coronavirus. 

ACAS – You can check your rights to sick pay if you get coronavirus on this website.  This provides free advice for employees and employers.  www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

Energy
 

Advice available from the following:

Citizens Advice - www.medwayadvice.org.uk

Step Change - www.stepchange.org/debt-info/coronavirus-affecting-finances.aspx

All Saints Community Project Trust -Tel: 01634 845419

Pre-Payment Meter - If you cannot top up your prepayment meter tell your supplier immediately.  Suppliers contact details are on their website or your bill.  Individual energy suppliers are managing this in different ways but help is available.  Tell your supplier if you cannot afford to pay for any extra energy you are using because you are having to stay at home.  This includes if you are ill with coronavirus or following stay at home guidance.  If you have run out of credit and need gas or electricity urgently then contact your supplier to ask for temporary extra credit.  You will need to pay this back when you next top up.

Support
 

Employment and Benefits Support Website - These pages have additional information and will help answer lots of the questions that are being asked. Visit the new Employment and benefits support site (link is external) regularly to keep up to date with the latest guidance and messages.  Please note, this PDF was correct on Wednesday 15th April 2020, and may change regularly: Download PDF.

Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Resources - Download PDF

Family Action – Helpline for families under pressure www.family-action.org.uk - Tel: 0808 8026666

Kent Autistic Trust – Family Support - Tel: 405168

National Autistic Society – Tel:  0808 8004104 

Support Available For Young People in Medway - There are simple things you can do to make you feel better. A Better Medway have put together some useful information and links to where you can find tools to help you during this difficult time.  Download PDF.

Medway Carers – Tel:  0300 303 1555 - www.carersfirst.org.uk/medway - Parent / Carer Telephone Surgeries are available, check out website for details

Crisis Team – Text service for those feeling depressed and needing to talk - text: 741741

SATEDA - SATEDA's Support2Court team continue to be available to assist women who need a protective civil order or help with child arrangement orders. There is also support for those who feel alone due to the lockdown via our peer support team. They are providing support & advice via phone, or Zoom for those with access to a smart phone, tablet or laptop.  Please download the PDF to find out more: Download PDF.

MIND – Mental Health - https://www.mind.org.uk/

Challenging Behaviour Foundation - www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk

Medway Safeguarding Partnership - https://www.medway.gov.uk/mscb/info/5/mscb-1/65/mscb

Children’s guide to coronavirus - Download PDF

NSPCC Information and Advice - The NSPCC has created a new webpage with information and advice for Parents or Carers who are worried a child or young person may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety about Coronavirus. The webpage includes information on: talking about feelings and worries; keeping in touch and balancing screen time; ways to create structure and routine; and helping to give children a sense of control. Read more information and advice on the links below:

A Better Medway: Staying Well and Feeling Good at Home - Download JPEG

Paramount Foundation - Online Courses - Download Image

The Children's Society - Criminal exploitation: A guide for parents - Download PDF

National Trading Standards - Wash your hands of coronavirus scams! - Download PDF

Childnet International - Online Resources for Parents & Carers - Download PDF

Kent and Medway Children and Young Peoples Wellbeing and Mental Health Services and All-age Eating Disorder Service:

  • Out of Hours Mental Health: 0300 555 1000 (Mental Health Direct Line)
  • In Hours Mental Health: 0300123 4496 (Kent SPA) or 0300 300 1981 (Medway SPA)
  • Kent & Medway All-age Eating Disorders Service: 0300 300 1980

Wellbeing
 

In times like these, we can often forget how important it is to try and maintain our own happiness and wellbeing. It’s not only important for ourselves, but also our family, friends, colleagues and many of those who depend on us. Staying positive and trying to implement little things like physical exercise, a healthy diet or getting a good night’s sleep, can have big results. We hope to help everyone to think about some of the positive steps they can take to establish and keep good mental wellbeing. That why we will be sending out weekly Wellbeing Wednesday emails which will be linked to each of Mind’s Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connect, Be active, Take notice, Learn, and Give.   Please find below the PDFs the resources.

Below are some further resources to help families with their wellbeing:

COVID19 – Staying Mentally Well - Click here for the website - which walks you through simple steps you can take to try to look after your emotional wellbeing.

Simple Self-Soothe Strategies - Click here for the website – which introduces you to five simple strategies for relaxation and self-soothing which can be used by adults or children.

Keeping Our Teeth Healthy - Download PDF

Feelings Match-Up - Download PDF

Expressing Feelings - Key Stage 2 - Download PDF

Keeping Well and Managing Feelings - Key Stage 2 - Download PDF

A Better Medway - Family Wellbeing Challenge Calendar - Download PDF

CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably - for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason. Call 0800 58 58 58 (Daily, 5pm to midnight) Free, anonymous webchat with trained staff or Visit the CALM website

E-Safety
 

On our website, we have guidance for Parents & Carers on e-safety.  This can be found by clicking on this link: E-safety Guidance.

Below, we have also provided some further resources from other companies:

Care First - COVID-19: Social Media, Technology and Young People - Download PDF.

15 Apps Parents & Carers Should Know About - Download Image.

Talking to your Children about Healthy Internet Use - Download PDF.

Social media and teenagers: A practical approach - Download PDF.

CyberLand - www.cybergamesuk.com - Now is your chance to become a defender of CyberLand and protect the virtual city from attack!  CyberLand includes a range of exciting games that will help you learn useful cyber skills whilst having fun.  Download the PDF for more information.

ParentInfo - The Hidden Benefits of Playing Video Games in Lockdown -  Visit Website

Social Stories 

Below are some links to social stories to help explain what is happening at the moment in the UK, with the coronavirus pandemic.

Lewisham Virtual School - Autism: Understanding School Closures - Download PDF

Mindheart - Coronavirus Slides for Children - Download PDF

ASERT - Coronavirus Social Story - Download PDF

Carold Gray - Coronavirus Social Story -  Download PDF

The Autism Educator Social Story - Download PDF

Dave the Dog Coronavirus Book - Download PDF

Social story regarding coronavirus -www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus.aspx

Coronavirus: A Book for Children - Nosy Crow have made a free information book explaining the coronavirus to children, illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler.  Download the Book.

Social Skilled Kids: Understanding Social Distancing - Download PDF

Tips for Parents & Carers from Dragonfly Education
 

Some ideas and support for those self-isolating

We have provided further detail on how to supporting children's needs at home.  Please click the link below to access this information:

Supporting Children's Needs at Home

What can you try?

1. Set up a routine

The key here is to make it a routine – not a schedule. Be flexible, but with boundaries. That means getting up at the same times and having things that you do in a regular order…it doesn’t mean timing every second of the day with military precision! Make the routine visual, factor in free time without screens and when they’re doing schoolwork, do some of your own work/jobs/chores alongside them.

2. Try new things

Introduce them to the things you love and share stories with them – make it an opportunity to connect. Watch documentaries and nature programmes (who doesn’t love a bit of ‘Blue Planet’?!); cook together and measure out ingredients, create exercise routines together, play board games and card games, show them how you manage the household budget and divide up money to cover bills, food and other things.

3. Keep it simple

Read to them. Yes – even the older ones! It ignites a love of reading, creates a bond between you and it’s soothing and calming. Get them starting a gratitude journal, drawing or doodling and colouring – all activities that support mental health. When you are working on things together, or working side by side, begin conversations. Sitting next to someone without the requirement to make eye contact can encourage them to open up! It also helps if you share something first.

Therapeutic Services at Bradfields
 

We know how important the therapy services that Julie, Justine and Emma provide are. During these uncertain times Julie and Justine are making regular contact with the students that are usually seen. They will also be providing materials for the students to use.

They wanted families to know that they are available for anybody who would like to touch base, have a chat or need additional advice. There contact details are:

This invitation is extended to all families and not just those of students currently accessing the therapy services.

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