Coronavirus Support

Update

Temporary change to the laws about Education, Health and Care Plans
Here is the produced fact sheet to help you understand how this may impact on your child or young person’s Education, Health and Care assessment or provision in their plan. Any queries please contact Mrs Spike. 

Click on the logo below for Coronavirus support updates


Update 








SEND Covid Legislation – Temporary Changes

From Friday 1 May temporary changes have been made to the laws about Education, Health and Care plans. Somerset Parent Carer Forum and SENDIAS are creating a fact sheet to help you understand how this may impact on your child or young person’s Education, Health and Care assessment or provision in their plan.
This will be published on Somerset's LA Local Offer very soon as soon as school receives it. We will make it available on the school website.
If you have a query about the changes and how they may affect your child please contact Mrs Spike.

 

Six tools to support teachers working with pupils with autism

The Autism Education Trust (AET) has designed a wide range of practical tools to support teachers to work effectively with autistic pupils.
The Trust has put together a concise, but really comprehensive COVID-19 edition leaflet which combines six of the most useful tools which are particularly helpful at this difficult time.
The tools fall under these headings:

  1. Understanding social rules – this includes a coronavirus story from a child’s perspective
  2. Structure and transition
  3. Managing emotions
  4. Supporting sensory sensitivities
  5. Teaching communication skills

You can download the leaflet here.

Log on to brilliant library offer

Hundreds of Somerset families are getting involved in a brand-new library offer – run entirely through social media!
Library staff are continuing to provide a fun-filled events and activities programme using digital platforms whilst library buildings are temporarily closed.
Video story times are attracting thousands of viewers and there are activities to suit all ages, including quizzes, Lego challenges, book recommendations and even gardening tips!
To get involved, visit ‘Somerset Libraries UK’ on Facebook or find them on Twitter or Instagram.
You don’t need to be a library member to take part in any of the events and activities but it has been made even easier to join online for free – just visit www.somersetreads.co.uk where you can also get details on how to download free books, audiobooks and even magazines. Support and information are also available by contacting 0300 123 2224 or email librariesmail@somerset.gov.uk.



VE tasks to celebrate. Click here forVE day celebrations presentation

Update from Somerset’s SEND Local Offer- 1st May 2020
Do we understand the impact of the current crisis on our children and young people?
It’s not always clear how the ongoing situation is affecting children and young people – there may be no obvious signs but there could well be an increase in anxiety levels, whether visible or not. So we should try talking about what’s going on openly.
There’s a helpful new Government link: Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic  .
It explains how children and young people with learning disabilities can feel a loss of control in times of uncertainty such as the coronavirus pandemic. They may need more support or adapted explanations about the outbreak.
Examples of ways to help include:

  • Supporting their decisions
  • Representing choices visually through written words, pictures, symbol systems or objects
  • If helpful, supporting children to express their emotions and letting them know they are not alone
  • Take their feelings seriously and don’t judge their emotions.
  • They may feel anxious about  the possibility of having to stay at home for a long period.

There’s loads more advice and links available on it including:

Online safety – new Government link
Children are spending much longer online out of necessity so it’s even more vital to make sure there are regular screen breaks, and that downtime content is safe and appropriate – this Government link (above)  offers useful guidance on these key issues.
This section provides lots of helpful information including:

  • Parental controls
  • Security and privacy
  • Anti-fraud measures
  • Time management – making sure too much time isn’t spent online
  • Accuracy checks
  • Advice on screen time
  • Staying safe on line


The brilliant Axel Scheffler has produced a book about Covid-19 Coronavirus just for children. 
The Gruffalo illustrator worked with consultant Professor Graham Medley, two head teachers and a psychologist to make sure the book got the messages.

The book answers key questions in simple language appropriate for 5 to 9 year olds:
• What is the coronavirus?
• How do you catch the coronavirus?
• What happens if you catch the coronavirus?
• Why are people worried about catching the coronavirus?
• Is there a cure for the coronavirus?
• Why are some places we normally go to closed?
• What can I do to help?
• What’s going to happen next?

Click the book cover for a copy



The publishers Nosy Crow have produced this as a FREE resource, so that all families have access to the book. If you wish to provide a donation in lieu of payment of the book, Nosy Crow have asked for any donations to go to our fantastic health workers. Link below
https://www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/


Click here for Wells Cathedral - Easter Gardens Competition

Incredible list of amazing things to do while we are safe at home. From koala cams to orchestras to learning a new language to mindfulness - there is something for everyone here!! 

A specific section for SEN as well- lots of new links!- Mrs Spike

https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-online-resources-for-anyone-who-is-isolated-at-home

Click here for over 60 virtual tpurs and trips

Click here for 2020 Covid-19 time capsule sheets

The Community Inclusion and Activity team have unfortunately had to cancel the events for the Easter holidays.

They have collaborated with local providers and the Somerset Parent Carer Forum to create a booklet of virtual activities which can help keep children and young people busy over the holidays.

CIA virtual Activities Calendar Final.pdf

https://choices.somerset.gov.uk/025/leisure/activities-for-families-during-covid-19/


Coronavirus (COVID-19) (click here to download this document)

We recognise that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families are facing numerous challenges as a result of the coronavirus. Here are some links which hopefully help to answer some questions you may have and signpost you as parents/carers to telephone and online support that might be helpful.

Coronavirus – Helplines, Easy Read Guides and Online Advice
Each of the organisations below have put together different tools to support parents, carers and young people during the coronavirus outbreak.
Talking to children and young people about the coronavirus:

  • UNICEF have a guide on and how to Coronavirus How to talk to your child about Coronavirus.

Easy read guides to the coronavirus:

Helplines and Email support:

Online advice:

Home Learning and Things to Do
Coronavirus – Join TV Stars for Daily Home Learning
Some TV stars are offering children and young people and their family’s free sessions every day to help with home learning.  Below you can find a timetable of sessions with links to take part:


9am

PE with Joe Wicks

10am

Maths with Carol Vorderman

11am

English with David Walliams

12pm

Lunch – cooking with Jamie Oliver

1pm

Music with Myleene Klass

1.30pm

Dance with Darcey Bussell

2pm

History with Dan Snow (free for 30-days)

4pm

Cooking with Theo Michaels 

4pm

Geography with Ben Fogle

Live Theatre comes to our TV screens!

Universal have come up with a great idea called ‘The Shows Must Go On’, the new YouTube Channel will be streaming a full-length musical every Friday at 7pm GMT for free so you can bring the theatre home! It will be available for 48 hours, so you can tune in whenever you like over the weekend! 
First up, it’s Joseph! - #GoGoGoJoseph

Link is www.youtube/theshowmustgoon 

Coronavirus – Museums, Attractions and Forests at Home
The website links below take you to virtual tours and online resources to support learning at home.
Museums

Attractions

Forests

 

Support for Autistic Learners
Specific advice on autism and coronavirus

  • https://m.youtube.com/watch?v= The whole world is talking about the corona virus. Daycares and schools have closed, and children are asking a lot of questions. This movie uses PLAYMOBIL to help explain in a way that children can understand what is happening right now, what we can all do to ease the situation, and why it so important to avoid contact with other children and adults.

Online help for autistic learners

Apps for autistic learners

Coronavirus – Visual Impairment Resources
General support and information
The main charities who support children and young people with a visual impairment and their families in the UK are:

Visual impairment specific resources

  • Positive Eye – activities and lessons for primary and secondary ages with a visual impairment
  • Paths to Literacy – ideas and tips for primary and secondary ages with a visual impairment

General educational resources 

  • Twinkl – free access to Twinkl resources for primary and secondary ages. Use the code: CVDTWINKLHELPS
  • Crick Web – games for primary age
  • DK Find Out – fun facts and quizzes on different topics for primary age
  • Imagination Tree – activities for children of pre-school age

Books and literacy resources (all ages)

Phonics 

Subject specific resources

  • Top Marks – maths activities for all ages
  • Maths is Fun – maths activities for all ages
  • Splash City – maths activities for primary and secondary ages
  • Help Kidz Learn – free 14 day trial for literacy games and activities for pre-school and primary ages
  • Toy Theater – maths and reading games for primary age
  • ICT games – maths and english activities for primary and secondary age
  • Explorify – science activities for primary age
  • Big History Project – history activities for secondary age
  • Tinkercad – app for 3D design, electronics and coding for primary and secondary age
  • Charanga – music lessons for primary and secondary age

Educational Resources for Home Learning

Name of website and link

Subject or topic

Aimed at

Comments

BBC Learning

All

Primary

Games and short video clips

Blockly

Computing

Primary

Educational games which teach programming

British Council

English

Any

Lesson plans, activities, stories, articles and poems

British Sign Language

BSL

Any

Videos and activities

Cbeebies Radio

EYFS

EYFS

Listening activities

Crash Course Kids

Science

Primary

Short video clips on a variety of topics

Crest Awards

Science and Engineering

5 years old and above

Awards to complete at home

DK Find Out

All

Primary

Quizzes and activities

Duolingo

Languages

Any

Quizzes and activities (App is also available)

Geography Games

Geography

Primary

Quizzes and activities

Khan Academy

All

Any

This is particularly useful for maths and computing
(uses the US grade system but is still relevant)

Mystery Science

Science

Primary

Lesson plans and activities

National Geographic Kids

Geography

Primary

Quizzes and activities

Oxford Owl for Home

Maths, English and Reading

Primary

Games and activities

Paw Print Badges

People, places and history of the UK

Primary

Ideas and activities

Prodigy Maths

Maths

Primary and Secondary

Games and activities

Red Ted Art

Art

EYFSS

Ideas and printables

Scratch

Computing

Primary

Educational games which teach programming

Ted Ed

All

Any

Short video clips on a variety of topics

The Artful Parent

Art

Primary

Ideas and activities

The Imagination Tree

EYFS

EYFS

Ideas and activities

The Kids Should See This

All

Any

Short video clips on a variety of topics

Tinkercad

Computing

Any

App for 3D design, electronics, and coding

Toy Theater

EYFS

EYFS

Educational online games

Twinkl
Offering free access to parents during school closures

All

Any

Printouts

 

Coronavirus – Motor Skills and Sensory Resources
Motor Skills and Sensory specific resources

Coronavirus Information for Conditions and Support
The following charities have specific information on the coronavirus:

Information for SEND Families
Find an official letter addressed to SEND families explaining changes to the statutory duties of the local authority during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus – Vicky Ford’s Letter
Vicky Ford is the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families at the Department for Education.  Her responsibilities include special educational needs and so, she has written a letter to children and young people with SEND, their families, and all others who support them.
This letter has information relating to the coronavirus, including:

  • links to guidance about supporting vulnerable children
  • links to guidance on isolation for children and young people in residential settings
  • risk assessments for children and young people with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
  • the Coronavirus Bill and temporary emergency powers relating to EHC plans

Please read Vicky Ford’s letter to children and young people with SEND, their families, and those who support them for more detailed information.
An update from minister for vulnerable children and families, Vicky Ford, regarding SEND advice and the Corvid-19 response has been published on Tuesday 24th March 2020. You can access the letter here.

Wellbeing and Mental Health
Find a list of resources to support children, young people, parents and teachers with their wellbeing and mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus – Wellbeing and Mental Health Resources
About the Coronavirus

  • UNICEF – six ways parents can support their children through the coronavirus
  • Zero to Three – at home activity guide for young children
  • Zero to Three – five tips for making the most of video chats to family and friends with young children
  • Young Minds – advice for young people and parents on the impact of coronavirus on mental health

Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1:

Children and young people:

Young People:

  • Anna Freud presents ‘We all have mental health’ – animation to help young people aged 11 to 14 to understand what is meant by mental health and how to look after it
  • Childline – online and over-the-phone support for mental health
  • Young Minds – advice on looking after your mental health whilst self-isolating
  • Young Minds – advice on social media and mental health
  • Mind – advice on the coronavirus and wellbeing
  • Anna Freud – advice on supporting young people’s mental health during periods of disruption

Teachers helpline and counselling service

  • Education Support UK – free helpline for all teachers, lecturers and staff in education (primary, secondary, further or higher education) in England, Wales and Scotland

Parents

  • The Body Coach TV – workouts with Joe Wicks
  • Home Start – activities for families whilst in self-isolation
  • Relate – parent helpline and online counselling
  • Young Minds – advice on talking to your child about coronavirus
  • Family Lives – free helpline for advice on emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life
  • Young Minds – free helpline for parents who are worried about a child or young person

Keeping Children Safe Online
Support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online includes:

  • Internet matters - for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
  • London Grid for Learning - for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
  • Net-aware - for support for parents and careers from the NSPCC
  • Parent info - for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
  • Thinkuknow - for advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online
  • UK Safer Internet Centre - advice for parents and carers



Please click on the link below to see the latest official guidance regarding schools.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance
Other websites you may find helpful:-
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/coronavirus-affecting-finances.aspx

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/worries-about-the-world/