Following the direction from government, there will be a phased re-opening of Barnet Primary and Nursery schools for some year groups from Monday 1 June.
The safety of pupils is the number one priority for the council and for schools.
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Help and advice videos
Connecting well: We answer your COVID lockdown parenting questions
Even with the best intentions, parenting can be testing at times. COVID-19 has added an extra layer of complexity that hasn’t been easy to navigate.
Child psychotherapist Laverne Antrobus answers some of parents question and others:
• As a parent, how do you get “me” time during lockdown?
• Has your kids’ sibling rivalry taken on serious tones during lockdown?
• How do you support your outgoing child during this period of isolation?
Coping well - We answer your COVID lockdown parenting questions
• Parents, how are you coping under social isolation measures? If you’re like most, you’re encountering new parenting challenges, sometimes on a daily basis.
• This video offers support for parents through the tricky bits; finding routine, managing screen time and getting good rest during lockdown
• COVID has brought death a closer reality for many of us. As a parent, how do you support your child through the grief?
Useful resources and guidance to support parents, carers and teachers
Back to school guide for parents, carers and guardians
A booklet providing hints, tips and methods to help manage your child's anxiety, fix disrupted sleep patterns and build their resilience.
Parents, carers and guardians toolkit
Providing useful information, resources, hints and tips, advice and services on offer for parents, carers and guardians of children going back to school.
Vulnerable and specialist children’s services toolkit
A helpful guide of resources for teaching staff, parents and carers of vulnerable children. This includes links to courses, workshops, videos and links to websites to support vulnerable children going back to school.
Resources and provisions for Teachers and school staff
A toolkit designed especially for teachers and school staff and is a helpful guide of resources, workshops, courses, podcasts details of services on offer including mental health and wellbeing support for teachers.
Back to school presentation for primary school children
A child-friendly presentation for primary school children to help support their mental well-being as they return to school.
Back to school presentation for year 6 onwards
A presentation for children aged 10 and over, to help support their mental well-being as they return to school.
Children's centres summer activities for under 5s
Mental Health and Well-being
Wellbeing - Its good for your Mental Health Podcast
A new podcast series called to support resident’s wellbeing, brought to you by Barnet Integrated Clinical Service (BICS)
These free podcasts will cover a variety of themes and helpful psychological strategies you can use whilst moving out of lockdown.
BICS offers mild to moderate mental health support for social, emotional and behavioural issues to children, young people and families within Barnet, both in schools and out in the community.
Where to listen to our podcast
The audio for each episode will be available on several podcast platforms. Search for ‘BICS Wellbeing - Its good for your Mental Health’ in your podcast app and download the audio to your device.
Visit our Anchor podcast page to find out more: https://anchor.fm/barnetpodcast
The podcast is available on other platforms:
Staying well in Barnet - Managing Relationship Challenges
In this episode, we will be talking about managing relationship challenges in the family as part of adapting to the gradual lifting of lockdown. You will find useful tips on:
- how to manage relationships in this period
- developing an understanding of feelings and how we can acknowledge them
- developing communication skills
Parent/Teacher support for helping primary school children with anxiety as they return to school
Nip in the Bud charity have produced a short 8-minute film and fact sheet for parents and teachers on how to deal with any anxiety their children may be experiencing as they return to school.
Other help and advice
Top NHS doctor issues advice for children going back to school
NHS England’s top doctor for children and young people’s mental health has urged parents to be alert to signs that children could be experiencing anxiety, distress or low mood as some pupils return to school
New clinical advice for parents, guardians and carers
Advice on helping and supporting a child or young person with mental ill health, suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviours has been published on the NHS website.
Return To School article by Dr Anindita Sarkar
Dr Anindita Sarkar (Clinical Lead for Barnet Integrated Clinical service) provides her thoughts on what the return to school might look like for children and what parents can do to help.
