Lewisham Safeguarding Children Partnership

LSCP

COVID-19 Information for Parents & Carers

If you are the parent or carer of a baby or child and you are worried about the health of your child, please call 111 or see your GP. If you feel your child is seriously ill or their life is at risk, dial 999. It is safe to take your child to A&E if they are unwell and the hospital is set up to see children who are unwell with conditions other than Covid-19. Also, one parent or carer will be able to stay with your child whilst they are in the A&E department or on the ward.

Please find below a list of useful resources for parents and carers during COVID-19.

Public Health England – What you need to do to protect yourself and others

Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust – Advice from the Chief Medical Officer

Lewisham Council – School Closures Information.

Government Closure of Educational Settings - Information for parents and carers

NSPCC - Coronavirus and parents working from home

GOV.UK - Guidance for Parents & Carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the Corona Virus Outbreak

Children's Commissioner - Coronavirus, children and you – Advice, information suggestions, answers and resources to help during the pandemic

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation - Information for families and carers

Resources to support families/carers of people with learning disabilities through the coronavirus restrictions (pdf, 27 March 2020)

Resources to use with people with learning disabilities through the coronavirus restrictions (pdf, 30 March 2020)

GOV.UK - List of Home Education Resources during COVID-19.  (currently free and not intended to replace a schools properly planned curriculum)

Lewisham Libraries

Lewisham Libraries have Ebooks and magazines. You can join now for free membership if you’re not already a member. https://llc.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/lewisham/

Voluntary Services in Lewisham

To address the unprecedented Public Health challenge that we are facing, the voluntary and community sector are coming together to serve the needs of Lewisham residents.

Lewisham Local, Voluntary Services Lewisham and Age UK Lewisham & Southwark are working with Lewisham Council and local partners in the community to coordinate a response so that help can be given to the most vulnerable in our communities.

Lewisham Local’s response will focus on:

  • The provision of accurate, up to date information
  • The delivery of food and wider supplies to vulnerable individuals
  • Befriending and social isolation support, using phone and IT techniques wherever possible
  • Support to those who are looking to volunteer or assist directly in their local area
  • Providing toolkits for community action to ensure that people are safe as they support each otherFor information and advice click on the link Lewisham Local or call 03330 150378.  The phone number will be charged at the standard network rate but calls from mobiles may be higher (please check with your provider).

Local and national resources to help you and your children: -

  • Future Learn UK - offers a free course for parents and carers on helping young people with low mood and depression during COVID-19.  Exploring practical ways to help young people manage their mood and maintain healthy habits during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • ThinkUKnow Online Safety Home Activity Packs
  • NHS Every Mind Matters offers tips and services to support you and your feelings.
  • Samaritans are a registered charity focusing on suicide prevention, there to listen without judgement, no pressure, and help you work through what's on your mind. Call for free on 116 123, or alternatively on 0330 094 5717. Email: jo@samaritans.org
  • Frank Online - FRANK is a national anti-drug advisory service to educate teenagers and adolescents about the effects of drugs. Live chat service operates from 2pm - 6pm, 7 days a week. 0300 123 6600, email frank@talktofrank.com
  • National Autistic Society – guidance and helpline for parents’, young people and staff:
  • Mencap - Easy Read guide to Coronavirus:
  • Place2Be – Guide to helping parents answer questions from their children and to support family wellbeing:
  • Young Minds - Talking to your child about Coronavirus and 10 tips from their Parents Helpline to support family wellbeing:
  • Carers UK - Guidance for carers:
  • Covibook – an interactive resource designed to support and reassure children aged 7 and under, designed to help children explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing during the pandemic:
  • Public Health England have produced an easy read version of their Advice on the coronavirus for places of education.  You can download it  HERE.
  • Shout is a 24 hour, 7 days a week text messaging service support in a crisis. The team of trained Crisis Volunteers will help take you from a crisis to calm 24/7, whenever you need them. Text Shout to 85258, info@giveusashout.org,
  • The Anna Freud Centre has put together a document Supporting schools & colleges: A guide to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and students during periods of disruption which we hope will give some guidance about how to maintain children’s wellbeing at a time of uncertainty. The Anna Feud Centre has developed videos for parents and for children and young people which we hope will be useful.
  • Good Thinking website for adults looking for resources to support their mental health and wellbeing:
  • Blogs on the Young Minds website for young people on managing anxiety about the outbreak and self-isolating:
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