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Top Tips to support children and young people as

they return to education

The coronavirus pandemic has brought about a period of enormous change and un-certainty. Children and young people experienced the sudden and unexpected clo-sure of schools with little opportunity to say goodbye to friends and teachers. They have had to adapt to a new way of life very quickly.

Returning to school will also be a period of change and uncertainty for children and young people. They may only be in a couple of days a week or be kept in small groups, they may not be able to socialise with their friends or use school equipment and resources as before. They may have a different teacher and teach-ing assistants or be in a different classroom.

Schools can provide a familiar routine, a sense of community and something that is a secure and constant in children and young people’s lives. When this is disrupted it can be very unsettling.

A settling back in period and time for reconnection will be needed. It may take time for children to get back into a routine and to adjust to life back at school. Families will need to find their ‘new normal’.

For children who have continued to go to school throughout this period, the return of other children will present a big change for them too. They may have got used to school being quieter, with smaller groups and less focus on academic work. These children will also need support in preparing for this change.

This guide suggests some ideas that families and schools may find useful in sup-porting children and young people to return.

Please take a look at some of the ideas in this guide and feedback to us

SEN@nelincs.gov.uk.

Returning to schools and set-

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Returning to educa-

What can families do to support and prepare their

child for a return to education? Prepare them for what to

expect

Helping children to prepare for change is the first step in tackling any transition.

Talking openly about when and why things will happen helps children to make sense of the world

around them.

It is important to make sure that they know what is going to happen as far as is possible so that

there are no surprises. This can help them to feel safe and secure.

Try to talk to your children as much as possible about what to expect.

Get back into a routine Getting back into a routine can be a great way to prepare for a return to school. Bedtimes and wak-

ing times may have changed during lockdown; try to adjust these gradually so that children are

ready for the school day.

It may help parents to begin to get the practicalities ready for school – for example clean school

uniforms and gather up the school equipment. Remember, the reopening of schools will be a big

change for many parents too.

Many children will have grown whilst they have been out of school and this may create problems

with uniform particularly if you are unable to access new uniform before a school return, either

through lack of availability or financial pressures. Talk to your school or setting and share your

concerns.

Listen to children and young

people

Just being there and available to listen to children’s thoughts and feelings is so important. Acknowl-

edging these feelings without judgement or needing to find solutions immediately can help chil-

dren to open up and share their concerns with you.

It can be helpful to reassure children that their feelings are natural and that you are there for them.

Every child is different and will experience things in their own way.

Encourage them to talk Sometimes, children can find it difficult to talk about how they are feeling. They may not have the

words or know what to say. It can help to offer prompts and open questions as a starting point for

conversations. Here are some suggested questions that parents and teachers could ask children to

help them talk about their feelings about going back to school:

What are you looking forward to?

What might be hard?

What do you think will be ok?

Keep talking once they go

back to school

Once children and young people have returned to school, parents may find that asking about their

day can often lead to a shrug and “I can’t remember”. Again, offering them prompts to start conver-

sations can help them to open up and share some of their feelings more easily. Here are some ex-

amples:

What was good about your day?

What was difficult about your day?

What went ok today?

Offer reassurance Some children may need lots of reassurance about returning to school. It will be important for par-

ents and teachers to communicate so that families know what to expect and what safety measures

the school are putting in place. Parents will then have more knowledge to be able to share with

their children.

If children are anxious about returning to school or separating from their parents, it can be helpful

to talk to remind them of the things they enjoy at school. Having some fun and rewarding activities

planned could help to boost children’s positivity and sense of achievement. It can be helpful to talk

to children about what is staying the same, as well as what is changing during times of transition –

this can increase their sense of stability

Look after yourself The coronavirus pandemic has put enormous strain on parents, carers, families and teachers. No

one has been unaffected. Taking time to look after ourselves and each other is so important

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Returning to educa-

What can schools and settings do to support and pre-

pare children and young people for a return to educa-

tion? Over-communicate what

families and students can

expect

Explain what parents/ carers and children and young people can expect when they come back

Just because you sent the message once—don’t assume it has been heard

Send the same message in lots of different ways across lots of different media: social media, text

messages, letters home, website photos and tours,

When parents have the right information and the right expectations they can give the right positive

messages to their child

Give space and time for chil-

dren and young people to

talk about their feelings.

Don’t be tempted to jump straight back in to a full curriculum

Build time into each day to talk about worries and share feelings

Timetable circle time, have a worrybox, offer mindfulness sessions, have regular check-in times in

lessons

‘A huge bag of worries’ by Victoria Ironside is a great conversation starter

Get your new routine up and

running

Many children will have had not much routine for weeks, late nights, late mornings, extended screen

time and muddled meal times. Just staying awake may be an achievement for some learners (and

staff!!)

Introduce a routine and timetable and stick to it—making sure there is plenty of down time includ-

ed

Get visual timetables on the wall

Be prepared! Find out as much as you can about each child and how they have been during the Covid period

If a student or their relives/friends have suffered a serious illness or bereavement seek out specialist

advice and support to help them through this difficult time

If you are not teaching your usual pupils, seek out knowledge from their former teachers so you

know how best to support them and how they learn best.

Look out for body language and try your best to pre-empt any difficulties that may come up

Understand parent/careers

fears

In most casers if families are reluctant to bring their child back to school it is because they have a

genuine concern about their child’s wellbeing.

In these cases mass communication is not enough– a personal conversation with a trusted member

of staff could help better.

Actively listen and offer reassurance that you hear their concerns.

Continue to over communicate and plan in virtual meetings with parents to discuss concerns.

Key Takeaways

Over-communicate with families

Plan in times of the day to talk about emotions and worries

Set up a consistent routine

Find out about your learners underlying needs

Understand parents fears

Continue to promote good hygiene, handwashing and tissues. Be clear and positive about how this will help keep everyone safe

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Returning to educa-

Get practical - Top Tips for everyone

Common challenges Top tips

Getting used to regular hand washing Well in advance, practice at home in small steps. Make it fun. Reward achievements. Make a handwashing storyboard that can also be copied and used in school.

Social distancing & No hugs Get children to think of fun ways to greet friends and teachers without hugging or touching. Draw these ideas, make stickers and posters as reminders. Share these ideas at school by sending a photo by email. ‘We used to … At the moment we are going to …’

Involve children and young people in suggesting how they might judge distance by playing fun games. Take a look at NE Lincs beach signs—2m = 4 deck chairs , 2 don-keys or 1 surfboard.

Displaying anxieties through

challenging behaviour

Give older children who can understand the data and facts about the virus in our local area. Discuss and listen to their fears and offer reassurance.

Get your child used to using a feelings chart to gage and communicate how they are feeling. These skills can then be used in school to tell teachers when they are beginning to feel distressed.

Over anxious with extreme fears about

death or dying

Settings can ensure each child has a named adult that they can talk to about their fears.

Don’t dismiss fears or tell them not to worry, instead validate and acknowledge their feelings by naming and sincerely accepting them. Remember they are very real for the CYP.

Help them to recognise and make sense of the physical symptoms they may experi-ence.

Help them to think things through and explore the reasons for their worries. Be posi-tive and honest.

Reward brave behaviours Be consistent between all staff /parents/carers and the anxiety management strategies

that are used. Consider creating an Anxiety Management Plan. As teachers and school staff be extra patient—extra time may bee needed to respond

to requests or questions. Model calm responses at home and at school to set a positive example. Reassure your child that fears and worries are normal however by keeping themselves

clean and safe they are reducing the risks of this happening. Encourage children and young people to practice mindfulness as a means to keep

calm.

Habits and comforts such as thumb

sucking, nose picking, intimate

scratching and pica

Trial the use of sanitised fiddle toy or comfort object to address the need to carry out these habits.

Encourage children to wait until they have reached home to carry out habits to help keep themselves safe.

Provide rewards as a motivation not to engage in these habits at school, i.e. stickers, special rewards

Have a visual reminder of what to do if they forget e.g. If I pick my nose, I must re-member to wash my hands

Education settings can explore with parents whether this is a new behaviour caused by anxiety and work with parents on joint strategies

Needing space and time out - a place

to run to

Parent/carers can liaise with school as to what options are available, whether children will be able to access a quiet and safe space as a means to self-regulate if required. School may be able to provide photos of what this safe space option will look like to help prepare.

Teachers can plan regular time-out sessions for relaxation and mindfulness If a child requires a time-out card, ensure they know the new system and how to fol-

low procedures, safely Schools should have protocols in place for identified spaces (e.g. signs on the door to

say if the room has been used etc.)

Separating from caregiver and

separating from home comfort objects

usually brought to school

Use social stories at home about leaving parent and caregivers and comfort toys Parents/carers may like to bring objects to school and take them home again. (This will

need a discussion with parents and the educational setting).

Different eating and snack ar-

rangements

Parents/carers may like to liaise with the school and find out what the snack and dinner arrangements will be. These could be added to a child’s `school timetable so they are aware of when they will be having `snack-time` and what the snack will be.

These new arrangements should be part of the child’s social story

Different travel arrangements Discuss the new travel arrangements with your child well in advance before they return to school, as a means to help prepare them. This should include details of what will be happening, i.e. the times they will be picked up from home / dropped off, what the transport is going to be etc. This could be done in a visual format, by making a “my journey to school” photo book with your child.

Explain that every day may not be the same but that this is OK.

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Useful contacts

General

If you are concerned about anyone locally or you need help yourself, please contact:

NHS – For medical advice on COVID-19 or if symptoms have worsened visit

the NHS website or call 111

North East Lincolnshire Council – For information on food services and welfare call

01472 313131 – Our contact centre is currently open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6pm,

Saturday 10am to 4pm, and closed on a Sunday.

NEL Single Point of Access – If you have medical, health, befriending, bereavement,

mental health or adult social care enquiries call 01472 256256.

Police – If you are worried that someone is a victim of crime please call Humberside Po-

lice on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Mental health support – You can call NAViGO on 01472 256256, option 3 for 24/7

mental health support in North East Lincolnshire. For young people’s mental health

support call Young Mind’s Matter 01472 626100 (for out of hours support you can also

call 01472 256256 option 3)

North East Lincolnshire Women’s Aid –  01472 575757

Sector Support NEL – For up to date information on the voluntary and community sec-

tor organisations and their services go to the Sector Support NEL website.

In any emergency situation please call 999

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Useful contacts

NE LINCS Local Authority Education Services Support

https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/covid-19-advice-and-guidance/

Educational Psychology advice support line for parents/cares and professionals (Tel:

01472 323308)

School Admissions The School Admissions Team can be contacted on 01472 326291

(option4) However, if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) you will

need to discuss any school admission or school transfer issues with the Special Educa-

tional Needs and Review team on 01472 323166. https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/schools-

and-education/school-admissions/

School Transport Parents and carers are legally responsible for ensuring that a child

attends school. However, in some cases the local authority has a duty to support par-

ents and carers with transport to school. SchoolTransport@nelincs.gov.uk

Advice line for all regarding the statutory process of Education Health and Care Plans

(EHCPs) (Tel: 01472 3232 5477 angie.keshaw@nelincs.gov.uk )

Top Tips on parent/carer support at home for children with additional needs and/or

signposting to useful websites and online services richard.albery@nelincs.gov.uk

Virtual support for families requiring help with home schooling for children with vision

or hearing difficulties Karen.Jacklin@nelincs.gov.uk or Karen.Basille@nelincs.gov.uk

Virtual support for families requiring help with home schooling for children with Autism,

speech, language and communication needs, learning and cognition needs, physical

disabilities and social, emotional and mental health difficulties sha-

ron.gest@nelincs.gov.uk

Education Services Manager Schools Link officer liaison with schools and educational

settings where issues arise for families clare.linfitt@nelincs.gov.uk

Advice on support for Early Years Rose.Tanser@nelincs.gov.uk or Gle-

nis.Vesey@nelincs.gov.uk

For more SEND info go to: https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/children-and-families/

send-and-local-offer/

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Useful contacts

Other sources of Education and SEND information, advice and guidance

INDEPENDENT SEND SUPPORT In Ne Lincs Barnardo’s provide a SEND independent

Advisory Support Service for parents/carers SENDIASS. Contact 01472 355365 or email

nelincs@barnardos.org.uk

PARENT/CARER SEND SUPPORT North East Lincs Parent Participation Forum NELPPF

provide support and advice to parents of children with SSEND in our local area. Face-

book: Facebook.com/North East Lincs Parent Participation Forum, Twitter: Twitter.com/

NELPPF, Website: nelppf.co.uk Email: help@nelppf.co.uk. Telephone: 07583 474892

NE LINCS Carers Support Centre Carers can register with the Carers’ Support Service

by calling 01472 242277 or email info.nel@carerssupportcentre.com with your contact

telephone number and they will call you back. https://www.carerssupportcentre.com/

nel/

Disability Living Allowance. Some parents/carers may require financial support in the

form of Disability Living Allowance. You do NOT need a diagnosis to receive DLA. Disa-

bility Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a

child who: is under 16 has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a

child of the same age who does not have a disability

Free School Meals Benefits Team Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, North

East Lincolnshire, DN31 1HU Email: freeschoolmeals@nelincs.gov.uk Telephone: 01472

323732 Telephone opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm, except bank holi-

days https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/benefits/free-school-meals/

Financial guidance Contact a Family can provide information on benefits and other

sources of financial help. You can call the free Contact a Family helpline and the staff

can carry out a full benefits check for you. Tel: 0808 808 3555. Contact a Family website

https://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/benefits-financial-help/benefits-and-tax-

credits/

Mental health support service in North East Lincolnshire. Offering professional

support to people affected by COVID-19. A joint venture between the local authority,

NAViGO and Young Minds Matter, the confidential helpline offers support to all ages –

from children to adults and older adults – across the borough. The telephone support

service can be accessed by anyone – from individuals already in receipt of mental health

services to people struggling with the new social distancing restrictions, isolation or

pandemic-related anxiety. Call 01472 256256, option 3.