Cost of Living Support
We have been requested to share the following information and the attached QR code by B&NES:
Within our Cost of Living Support pages you will find information about B&NES’ Warm Spaces Scheme, providing individuals with safe spaces to visit and access warmth, safety and comfort during the winter months. You will also find information about benefits, reducing energy costs, food support, debt advice, information about pension credit, help towards childcare costs, support if you are experiencing illness or disability, advice for carers, help with prescription charges, managing money and your mental health.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Please find the policy here.
Mental health and wellbeing: information for parents and carers of secondary school aged children and young adults
We take the emotional health and wellbeing of every child seriously. We believe that our school can help pupils build resilience and support them to be mentally healthy.
We all have ups and downs in life but in childhood it can be particularly hard to cope with sad feelings and worries that arise when things are hard or scary. There may be times when your child is unhappy or struggling emotionally. You may notice that they seem low or worried or that their behaviour changes. We may notice that they seem withdrawn or upset at school.
If you are worried about your child’s mental health then you are not alone. Many parents and carers have similar worries and stresses . There is good support available from local and national organisations. The sooner you seek help the better for your child and you.
The leaflet: Mental health problems in children and young people: guidance for parents and carers provides some useful tips for helping your child plus links to local and national services.
Local services for children & young people
- The School; Please talk to us about your concerns, so that we can work together to help your child feel better. Contact your child’s tutor in the first instance through Enquiries. We also provide in-school support through the School Nursing Service and Off the Record. If you think your child would benefit from talking about their mental health please contact the school.
- Your GP; A GP can check any physical symptoms linked to your child’s health and talk with you about their emotional well-being making a referral to a specialist service if necessary
- The School Nurse; Parents/carers can contact the Bath and North East Somerset School Nurse Service for advice and support on a range of health issues.
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS); A free NHS service that assesses and treats 0 -18-year olds with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.
- Kooth; Children and young people aged 11 and over are also able to access support themselves from B&NES Kooth. This provides links to advice as well as online counselling.
- Off the Record; Counselling service for young people.
Websites that offer information and advice
The following organisations provide reliable information and advice to help parent/carers to support their child when experiencing emotional difficulties:-
Young Minds: – Help for Parents Information about all aspects of child mental health, including a Parent Helpline 0800 802 5544.
Childline Lots of information and tips for children of all ages about feelings and difficult situations.
Minded for Families Free learning resource about mental health for parents and carers.
Happy Maps Lots of information about health topics including mental health, organised under different age groups including secondary age and young adults.
Looking after your own mental health
In order to support your child, you need to stay strong and well yourself. It isn’t easy being a parent or carer especially when you are experiencing problems of your own such as relationship difficulties, money worries, problems with work. Often it helps to talk to someone, so don’t be scared about doing this, with friends, family, your GP or a support service. The following organisations can also offer information and advice to help you.
The Wellbeing College; Directory and database of groups, activities and courses in the community that can support adult wellbeing.
Talking Therapies; Accessed through G.P or self-referral.
MyScript- Social prescribing service; Available to anyone registered with a GP in B&NES. This service provides support in finding specialist services and community groups to help individuals experiencing mental health and wellbeing issues to take control of their situation.
Bath Mind; Tel: 01225 316199
Samaritans; Tel: free 116 123
NHS Choices: moodzone; Helps manage stress, anxiety, depression. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing
CALM Campaign against living miserably
Agencies and services to support parents and carers in vulnerable situations
B&NES Directory of services: Wellbeing Options; Links to a range of services supporting physical, social and emotional needs across the area.
1 Big Database links to a wide range of useful information for families including Ofsted registered childcare, parenting support, groups, clubs and events.
Rainbow Resource; Signposts to organisations, services, support, activities and groups for children and young people aged 0-25 with additional needs.
Citizens Advice B&NES; Independent charity that provides free, impartial advice and information on a range of issues including housing, employment and debt.
The information above has been provided by B&NES Council Public Health Team.
Guidance for Parents on Mental Health
Please find below a leaflet designed for parents and carers who are concerned about their child’s mental health. The information is general with links to services and information specific to Bath and North East Somerset on the back page.
BANES Mental Health Guidance for Parents leaflet
Childnet
Childnet International, a non-profit organisation works with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children. For more information you can visit Childnet at www.childnet.com
SWGfL Whisper
Whisper is an anonymous reporting service for students, families and local community that allows you to send a message or text to a confidential school email account where staff experienced in responding to issues will receive it.
Clicking on the Whisper button on our site will take you to an online form where you can leave your message. You can choose to send it anonymously or, if you want us to get back to you, you can leave your contact details. Whisper does not collect any information to identify a sender unless they choose to leave it.
Whisper by Web
Whisper by SMS
CEOP
The NCA’s CEOP Command (formerly the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) works with child protection partners across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account. We protect children from harm online and offline, directly through NCA led operations and in partnership with local and international agencies.
For advice, help or to make a report visit the CEOP Internet Safety Centre