Information about COVID-19

For the latest information and guidance form the government see below you can also sign up here to be alerted to the latest updates –

Government website for latest updates.

For general information from Wakfield Council regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) please follow this link:

Wakefield Council Coronavirus information.

Read about vaccinations for clinically vulnerable children and young people.

For parents / carers / professionals

A clinical psychologist presents a short video on dealing with back to school anxiety:

https://nipinthebud.org/information-films/tips-for-returning-to-school/

Preparation tips on going back to school:

https://www.traumainformedschools.co.uk/images/preparing_your_child_for_the_return_to_school.jpg

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/returning-school-after-lockdown/tips-parents-carers-return-to-school

Back to school guide for parents of children with ASD:

https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus/updates/education-and-school/back-to-school-guide.aspx

The ADHD Foundation have produced a guide on transitioning from primary to secondary school.

Read Wakefield Council's COVID 19 Advice for Schools - Transition and Back To School booklet.

Read Wakefield Council's guidance on getting to and from school and how to stay safe.

For children / young people:

A free downloadable book on being in a 'bubble' (scroll down a bit to find it):

https://e-bug.eu/eng_home.aspx?cc=eng&ss=1&t=Information+about+the+Coronavirus

Downloadable prompts for discussing feelings:

https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/uploads/Files/PDFs/Resilience%20Activities/Going%20back%20to%20school.pdf

Downloadable booklet on life after lockdown: 

Booklet to support transition from Y6 to Y7:

Barnardo's Y6 Transition Guide - Stepping into Secondary School

Booklet to support returning to school:

The Children's Commissioner has produced a back to school guide:

Back To School Guide

 CAMHs 

Wakefield CAMHS has recently increased and expanded the offer of crisis support to children, young people and families.

The team now operate seven days a week delivering services between 9 am -8.00 p.m. every day. The REACH team will continue to operate between the hours of 9 am and 8.00 pm, seven days a week.

The team can be contacted through Single Point of Access (SPA) Wakefield on 01977 735865.

FInd out more information here:

Community Hubs 

Community Hubs have been created to give Wakefield residents the help they may need during COVID 19.

The Community Hub can tell you how to get support, including help to access food parcels, and signposting to other relevant services

Hubs can be contacted directly or support can be coordinated through the Council’s contact center on 0345 8 506 506 and selecting option 3.

List of community hubs and contact details

Help At The Hub

Help At The Hub is a new service for anyone in the Wakefield district. This service supports anyone who has suffered from the impact of Covid. If you have worries about money, jobs, housing or mental health it can help you. There are 9 places around Wakefield and distract that can help you.

View the Help At The Hub poster for more information.

Support for children and young people

The WF-I-CAN website gives children and young people information and help on lots of topics including Covid, health, relationships and when someone or somethng dies.

Mental Health Support Line
This free 24/7 helpline provides mental health support for anyone registered with a GP in Kirklees, Calderdale, Wakefield and Barnsley.
FREEPHONE 0800 183 0558

Helpline for Black and Asian Families

Barnardo's have set up a new helpline for Black and Asian families. Find out more by visiting https://helpline.barnardos.org.uk/helpline

 Below are some resources that have been collated from various sources and that you may find useful for discussing coronavirus with children and young people with SEND.

Below are is some advice and support packs for parents with children and young people with autism.

For children and young people

There is a new service for children and young people called Night Owls. It is a support line for those who are in crisis and is completely free and confidential.

Call 0300 200 03900

Text 07984 392700

Chat on wynightowls.org.uk

NHS England have information and advice for parents and young people where is it all feeling overwhelming right now -

https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-youre-a-young-person-and-its-all-getting-too-much/

For parents, carers and professionals

Free Psychological First Aid Training

People that care for or work with children and young people that have been affected by COVID-19 (or other emergencies or individual crises) will be able to access a new online Psychological First Aid (PFA) training course. 

Witherslack Group have a series of free mental health webinars. These are for parents and carers to support their child or young person.

Wakefield Council have produced a children and young people wellbeing booklet. This booklet offers useful information for parents, carers, families, professionals, and school staff on a range of topics.

Mental Health Support Line
This free 24/7 helpline provides mental health support for anyone registered with a GP in Kirklees, Calderdale, Wakefield and Barnsley.
FREEPHONE 0800 183 0558

Mental health support links:

https://www.minded.org.uk/

https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/coronavirus##

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing

https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/health-and-social-care/health/coronavirus-how-to-take-the-calmer-approach##

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/mental-health-tips

https://www.mind.org.uk/media/6787/easy-read-pdf-top-tips-for-coping-with-the-coronavirus-pandemic-mencap-mind-081220.pdf

Below are some resources that have been collated from various sources and that you may find useful for structure and form daily routines.

Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)

Wakefield Educational Psychology Service (EPS) has produced a practical resource for school/setting staff and other professionals to provide information and guidance on how to support children, young people and their families experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).

Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA) can be used to describe children and young people who do not attend school due to emotional factors. This absence can often lead to long periods of time away from school. EBSA is different from absence for physical illness and truancy. Most young people experiencing EBSA can be highly anxious and show significant distress about attending school. In many instances, they remain engaged with education and want to return to school even though they feel unable to do so. Often, the young person’s anxiety will reduce during weekends or school holidays.

Throughout the documents, reference is made to several appendices that include additional information and tools that can be tailored to the needs of your school, CYP and situation. You may also want to discuss some of these suggestions in more depth with your school’s Educational Psychologist, who will be able provide further support and guidance.

You can now download information guides on EBSA:

EBSA Young Person Booklet

EBSA Parent / Carer Booklet

EBSA School, Setting and Practitioner Booklet

If you need this information in a different format please contact eps@wakefield.gov.uk

Wakefield EPS have also recorded a webinar for professionals / settings to talk them through how to implement an assess – plan – do – review framework (using the practitioner guidance resources) for a child or young person experiencing EBSA.


Calming Video

Flamingo Chicks have created an inclusive calming video for anxious children.

https://flamingochicks.org/calming-class/

Other Downloadable Resources

Below are some resources that have been collated from various sources that you may find useful for anxiety.

Wakefield and Distrcit Bereavement Support Service.

This is a new service being delivered by The Prince Of Wales Hospice. It is for any adult in the Wakefield District. Call 01977 781452 or visit their website for more information. 

Winstons Wish

This is a childhood bereavement charity. It supports children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling. 

Winston’s Wish provides emotional and practical support to children, young people and those who care for them. There are expert teams on hand to offer one off and ongoing bereavement support. 

For more information including online resources visit the Winstons Wish website.

West Yorkshire and Humberside HCP

This service provides practical and emotional support 7 days a week between 8am and 8pm. call 0800 1963833 or visit their grief and loss website.

Other Support

Download a copy of the CoVid Guidance for parents supporting children with loss and bereavement