Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Advice and guidance for parents, carers, children and young people

National Autistic Society – guidance and helpline for parents’, young people and staff

Carers UK - Guidance for carers 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) support

Support from partners

Looking after yourself and others

Get moving

Exercise is important for keeping our body and mind well. Think about what you can do to move more inside. For suggestions on getting active when staying at home you can visit southampton.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Keep your mind active

You can keep your mind active by setting yourself goals for the day – whether it’s finishing a puzzle, texting a friend, or tidying your sock drawer, nothing is too small and completing things will give you a sense of achievement. 

Look after your wellbeing

It’s normal to feel a bit anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, lonely or frustrated about the current situation. Remember - it is OK to share your concerns with others you trust – and doing so may help them too.

Solent Mind helpline

For anyone who is experiencing poor mental health or wellbeing challenges as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. 023 8017 9049 - Mon – Fri, 10am – 2pm (except bank holidays)

Do also contact your GP. Practices are still providing remote consultations via telephone or e-consult and face to face consultations can be arranged in a safe way if needed.

Solent Mind text line

For those in a mental health crisis or emotional distress. You can text ‘LIGHTHOUSE’ and your postcode to 07451 276010 - 4.30pm and 12am. Staff will then contact you via telephone, email, webchat or text.

Samaritans confidential support line

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts you can call 116 123 24 hours a day.

Avoiding COVID-19 scams

Unfortunately, during these difficult times there are many COVID-19 scams circulating, targeting the most vulnerable in our communities. Be aware these scams will try to con you out of money. They may be received by post, email, telephone, text or face to face.

Before you respond to any offer, please remember the Take Five protection advice

• Stop: Don’t be pressurised into sending off money immediately to someone you don’t even know.

• Think: How likely is it that I’ve specially been chosen? Millions of people have probably received the same offer.

• Think again: Always read the offer carefully. Speak to family or friends or seek advice.

If you’re unsure whether something might be a scam, call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133. You can report scams to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040.

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 

Special Needs Jungle - Calming Coronavirus anxiety in children (and everyone else) and Makaton video

Mencap - Easy Read guide to Coronavirus 

Public Health England have produced an easy read version of their Advice on the coronavirus for places of education.  You can download it here

Makaton hygiene symbols

A free resource from Photosymbols, including easy read posters and information

The lifting of Covid restrictions in education settings will take place in line with the general removal of restrictions for England at Step 4. Subject to a final review of the data next week, these legal restrictions will end on Monday 19 July.

We are changing the controls that apply in early years, schools, colleges and higher education institutions to maintain a baseline of protective measures while maximising attendance and minimising disruption to children and young people’s education. When we move to Step 4 of the roadmap, we will be removing the need to keep children and young people in consistent groups (‘bubbles’) in schools, colleges and out-of-school settings and the need to reduce mixing in early years settings.

To support this we have published new guidance for arrangements in education settings from Step 4, covering both the summer period and the following term, when children will return to school:

Guidance for out-of-school settings, children’s social care, apprenticeships and parents will be updated over the next 2 days.

From 16 August, the legal requirement to self-isolate for contacts of a positive case will end for everyone aged under 18, and for adults who have been fully vaccinated.  This means that from the autumn term, only those who test positive will need to self-isolate.  

From Step 4, NHS test and trace will carry out contact tracing in all education settings rather than it being run by the school or college. Those identified as close contacts will be advised to take a PCR test, and only need to isolate if they test positive. Everyone must self-isolate if they have symptoms of Covid or a positive test result. 

More details on the announcement can be found here Covid restrictions in education settings to end at Step 4 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please find link below for the latest information for parent/carers in respect of Early Years Providers, Schools and Colleges - updated 17th August 2021.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/step-4-update-what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges