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 https://medway.foodbank.org.uk/

2^nd 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 & https://medwayeag.co.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

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 is 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

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.

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 smartphone, 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

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

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

Child-Friendly Guides to Coronavirus & Social Stories

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

Children’s guide to coronavirus - Download PDF

Mencap Easy read guides - Download PDF

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

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.

Download PDF.

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

Tips for Parents & Carers from Dragonfly Education

Some ideas and support for those self-isolating

We have provided further detail on how to support 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.