DENI
The Department of Education has collated a range of online resources for families and pupils during the current situation. These are extensive and can be found at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/support-parents-and-pupils. They will continue to update this information and would welcome suggestions via: attendance@education-ni.gov.uk.
Family Mediation
The Education Authority have drawn our attention to the HSCB funded organisation Family Mediation NI. This service is for parents who are separated and who wish to engage in child focussed mediation. Details can be found at: https://familymediationni.org.uk.
Counselling Service
Familyworks continue to provide their counselling services for young people. Further information and referrals can be made to this service via the website: https://familyworksni.com/.
Health Advice
We would continue to draw your attention to the most recent up-to-date health advice which is available at the Public Health Agency website: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net.
Lifeline
Counsellors available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week who are experienced in dealing with issues such as depression, anxiety. Offers help and support, in confidence. Telephone: 0808 808 800 Website: www.lifelinehelpline.info.
Online Safety At Home
The National Crime Agency (NCA) CEOP command has launched a campaign to help keep children safe online during the coronavirus pandemic. The #OnlineSafetyAtHome campaign contains home activity packs with 15-minute activities for parents and carers to do with their children using CEOP’s Thinkuknow educational resources. Find out more at: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/…/Support-to…/home-activity-worksheets/. The worksheets can be easily incorporated into home schooling and includes activities aimed at children of all ages. Click CEOP #ThinkuknowEA. Some useful videos and information can be found at: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/Support-tools/presentations-for-parents/?utm_source=Thinkuknow&utm_campaign=6647114059-TUK_ONLINE_SAFETY_AT_HOME_02_06_20&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0b54505554-6647114059-64868337
Youth Service Support
The Stay Connected service is for young people age 9-25, so they can stay in touch with youth workers, to have a chat or to let them know of any support needed to stay safe at home. The EA Youth Service Stay Connected service can be accessed at: https://www.youthonline.org.uk/stay-connected/.
Education Authority
The Education Authority have forwarded some website links to assist parents who may find, at this time, additional support valuable or necessary in a number of areas.
Please find the relevant links below:
The EA’s Literacy Service provides support in the area of specific learning difficulties in literacy (SpLDs)/dyslexia and is available to help via: https://www.eani.org.uk/services/pupil-support-services/literacy-service
The EA SEN teams can also be contacted for support: https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/special-educational-needs-sen/contact-details-for-special- education-in-the-local-education
Education resources in 11 languages can be found at the EA website via: https://www.eani.org.uk/education-resources-in-more-languages
The EA have produced videos for parents who are hearing impaired and use sign language: https://www.eani.org.uk/covid-19-sign-language-videos (BSL/ISL)
Guidance from organisations including CCEA, which have adapted material to suit home learning, can be found at: https://www.eani.org.uk/post-primary-school-education-resources
CCEA
Recognising that this is an extremely difficult and stressful period for everyone, have compiled a list of useful websites and organisations offering support in certain areas at this time: https://ccea.org.uk/learning- resources/mental-health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-useful-links
AAIS
The Education Authority Autism Advisory and Intervention Service (AAIS) are presenting a series of videos from “The People That Matter”. Each week, a video from a different perspective will be uploaded to the AAIS website:
https://www.eani.org.uk/services/pupil-support-services/autism-advisory-intervention-service-aais
BBC Bitesize
Daily lessons for home-schooling in Maths and English for every year group, as well as regular lessons in many other areas: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/dailylessons
Supporting Young People With Their Mental Health:
YoungMinds - has an advice page for anyone struggling with self-isolation, coronavirus and the impact this could be having on your mental health. The website is: https://youngminds.org.uk/. Advice sections include:
I’m feeling anxious all the time
My mood is low because of all the bad news
I am struggling with self-isolation and social distancing
I am struggling to manage my eating disorder
I have lost a loved one due to coronavirus
What else can I do to look after my mental health
Helplines and services available
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger - provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. If you need urgent help text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors. Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
The Mix - You can find information for young people about coronavirus and ideas for things to do while staying home on their website https://www.themix.org.uk/ . The Mix’s emotional support services are open as normal – and if you’re under 25 you can talk to them about anything that’s troubling you over the phone, email or webchat. You can also use their phone or online counselling service. Helpline open daily 4-11pm: 0808 808 4994.
Childline - If you're under 19 you can confidentially call, email or chat online about any problem big or small. Freephone 24hr helpline: 0800 1111.