Here you will find a variety of resources and information.
Parents / Carers – We are here for you too!
Please contact Mrs Jenkinson if you have any questions/concerns or worries.
“Happy, healthy parents/carers mean happy, healthy children”
Family Guide to Parental Controls
Dealing with Upsetting Content
THe following guide addresses the timely and delicate issue of speaking with children about worrying content they’ve seen online. Young people are so connected to the world through their devices that, by now, the vast majority will be acutely aware of the situation in Ukraine, even if they’re not quite old enough to comprehend it fully.
Many will have watched or read potentially upsetting news items online covering the invasion – and, in all likelihood, will need extra reassurance from trusted adults during these unsettling days. Our guide has practical advice on raising the subject with young ones, allowing them to express their concerns, and helping them to avoid feeling overwhelmed by their fears.
Watts App
WhatsApp is the world’s most popular messaging service, with around two billion users exchanging texts, photos, videos and documents, as well as making voice and video calls. Its end-to-end encryption means messages can only be viewed by the sender and any recipients: not even WhatsApp can read them. Updates to its privacy policy in 2021 (involving sharing data with parent company Facebook) caused millions to leave the app, but the new policy was widely misinterpreted – it only related to WhatsApp’s business features, not to personal messages. In the guide, you’ll find tips on a number of potential risks such as scams, strangers and location sharing.
Replika
What Parents Need to Know About Replika
A free online safety guide on Replika.
Replika is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot companion that its developers claim users can form an actual emotional connection with. Once users have created an account and chosen a 3D avatar, they select the type of relationship they want with the chatbot: friend, mentor or romantic partner. Using a neural network to hold an ongoing one-on-one conversation, Replika gradually becomes more like the user as it gathers data from their responses. It isn’t the only AI chatbot app available, but Replika pushes the boundaries of the concept to offer a highly realistic conversational experience.
Healthy Eating Food Scanner App
The NHS Food Scanner app brings food labels to life and helps you make healthier choices. Simply scan the barcode to see how much sugar, saturated fat and salt is in your food and drink then choose one of the healthier swap suggestions.
The app is part of a healthy eating campaign and the ‘scan, swipe, swap’ take-home pack has plenty of resources to help encourage children to build healthier habits for life.
Find the resources here:
https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools/topics/healthy-eating/overview
Apple Guided Access
The majority of parents and carers with an iPhone or iPad quite happily let their children borrow the device for some easy entertainment. Most digital devices, however, contain apps that adults would probably prefer that children weren’t let loose on. A few accidental presses in the Amazon app, for instance – or in iTunes or the App Store – could add up to a costly shopping disaster.
Those worries can be avoided, though, by setting up Apple’s handy Guided Access feature. It effectively keeps the phone or tablet locked on one app – so if you say ‘yes’ to a quick game of Angry Birds, for example, then that is all a child will be able to do on your device. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide explains how to enable this valuable safeguarding function.Guided Access can negate the threat of accidental tinkering. This valuable feature keeps children on a specific app and away from anything they shouldn’t see. Many parents and carers, however, either haven’t heard of Guided Access or don’t know how to use it – but our #WakeUpWednesday guide this week has step-by-step instructions for setting it up!
Willow Tree Expectations
Squid Games
Please see below an information sheet regarding Squid Games and its age restrictions. Across the country there have been reports of an increasing number of children ‘playing/re-enacting’ the game within school.
Parental Controls
Most smartphones allow parents and carers to choose which apps and features appear on their child’s device and which ones don’t – also preventing young people from buying and downloading anything that’s unsuitable for their age. Our #WakeUpWednesday guides to parental controls for managing apps on iPhones will help you to reduce the chance of your child using a game or app that might not be appropriate for their age.
In the guide, you’ll find tips on a number of tips such as how to restrict built-in apps, the game centre and app store purchases.
This is part of our Privacy & Security category.
Y6/7 Transition – Summer Support
With Me In Mind are offering virtual parents’ workshops throughout the summer holidays. These workshops are open to parents of children transitioning up to secondary school and aim to support parents to understand more about the worries that some children may experience when moving up.
Workshops will be delivered via Zoom and last approximately 45 minutes.
Tuesday 27th July – 10am
Tuesday 3rd August – 2pm
Tuesday 10th August – 10am
Tuesday 17th August – 6pm
Tuesday 24th August – 2pm
To book a space and receive a link to the workshop please email rdash.with-me-in-mind@nhs.net
Y6 Transition
Please see attached an animation to support your Y6 child with transition to secondary school.
Y6 Transition – For Parents
Please see attached a booklet developed for parents to support their child through transition.
Breakfast at Home
The National School Breakfast Programme has launched its Breakfast at Home area on the Family Action website. Here you will find lots of information and advice on providing a low cost, nutritious, daily breakfast at home.
www.family-action.org.uk/BreakfastAtHome
Neighbourhood Watch Network
Supporting Young People Online
On the Internet
On the Internet is a Learning-to-Read book for children aged 4 and above.
https://www.childnet.com/resources/a-learning-to-read-book
Lucy Goes Back To School
Please see attached a short story/colouring book to share with your child if they are feeling anxious regarding their return to school.
With Me in Mind – Top Tips for Managing Worries
With Me in Mind – The Worry Chain
With Me in Mind – Activity Menu
How to create and maintain a structure during the Covid-19 pandemic.
https://youtu.be/yHJ8qSQvkiQ
Rotherhive – Mental health and wellbeing information for adults in Rotherham
https://rotherhive.co.uk/
With Me in Mind – Managing schoolwork stress – Information for Parents.
https://youtu.be/Sydormkbils
How big are your worries little bear?
A short story to help children understand and overcome anxiety, anxious thoughts, stress and fearful situations.
With Me in Mind – Stress Bucket
Keeping Safe Online – Parent Support
Please take a look at the ThinkUknow website lots of information and guidance around online safety.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
How to get a good night’s sleep.
How to get a good night’s sleep
Tom Hardy – Bedtime Story
Two friends find a new way to keep in touch despite being apart. If your child is finding it hard being apart from their friends and family, they may find this story comforting.
Mindfulness for Pre-teens / Teens
Please see below a number of mindfulness exercises for older children.
Bereavement Support
We are mindful of the thousands of people who have recently been bereaved, during these unprecedented times.
Notifying agencies of a family member’s death is an extremely difficult, emotionally charged and labour intensive task for the bereaved. Many are uncertain who to contact and where to start.
Please see below a link to a form produced by Dr Sharon McDonnell which will hopefully help you during such difficult circumstances.
Coronavirus Support
Useful Resources for Parents
HOPELINEUK
For young people at risk of suicide, or those who are
worried about a young person at risk of suicide.
Call: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07860 039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
YoungMinds
This is a free, 24 hour service for young people looking for
help and support during crisis.
Young people can 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.
Parents worried about their child can call the parents
helpline on 0808 802 5544.
Childline
Children can call childline for support from a counsellor on
0800 1111 between 9am- midnight. Visit https://
http://www.childline.org.uk/ for further information on their
service, including details on how young people can have a 1
-1 chat with a counsellor online, or send an email.
Samaritans
This is a 24 hour listening service, to support anyone going
through a difficult time. Call them on 116 123, or send an
email to jo@samaritans.org. More information can be found
at https://www.samaritans.org/.
Domestic Abuse
On Thursday 14 January, the Home Office has launched a domestic abuse codeword scheme in thousands of pharmacies across the UK. The Ask for ANI codeword scheme allows those at risk or suffering from domestic abuse to discreetly signal to pharmacy staff that they need help accessing support. A trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services, such as a national or local domestic abuse helpline.
For more information, please visit www.gov.uk/domestic-abuse or email AskforANI@homeoffice.gov.uk.
COVID-19
Routine and consistency can help children feel safe, secure and reassured. Talk to your children about any changes and explain why these have been made in an age appropriate way. If you require any further support or advice around worry or anxiety, please contact Mrs Jenkinson.
Information for Parents
A number of services have worked together to produce some support materials to help children deal with the effects of coronavirus and have provided resources for parents who have children with complex SEND needs to support them. There are also parent forums/ weblink sessions which are being used to reduce the isolation that some may feel. Please follow the link below.
With Me In Mind
Please see below the May Newsletter from With Me In Mind. These are a team of professionals who work closely with our school to promote the emotional health and wellbeing of the children.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
A really useful platform has been shared with us which provides advice and signposting for adults in Rotherham in relation to mental health and well-being.
‘The online platform, RotherHive rotherhive.co.uk/ has been developed by NHS Rotherham CCG to provide a range of verified practical tips and advice as well as local, national and online services, organisations and groups that adults in Rotherham can access for expert advice to help look after their mental health and wellbeing’
NSPCC – Staying Home Alone
Please see below a link to the NSPCC website. We have had a number of enquiries recently regarding when children can be left alone in the home. Ideally, children should not be left alone without adult supervision, but if you do need to, please read the guidance.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/in-the-home/home-alone/
With Me In Mind
Please see below the June parents newsletter from With Me in Mind.
With Me In Mind
Please see below the latest video from With Me in Mind showing activities that children and families can do during this time to support their wellbeing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zT-z9WCwqY&feature=youtu.be
With Me In Mind
Please see below another short video produced by With Me in Mind which provides ‘Top Tips’ for routines with children.
With Me in Mind – Worry Circle
Please see another video in which Jenny demonstrates an activity that children and young people can do to manage their worries; hope you find it useful- any feedback is really appreciated!
With Me in Mind – Newsletter 3.
Transition
Please see below information regarding supporting positive transitions.
With Me in Mind – Zoom Support
Please see attached a flyer for the above event.
With Me in Mind – Grounding techniques to manage worry
Please see below a link to a short clip produced by WMIM which outlines some simple grounding techniques for children.
With Me in Mind – Top Tips to Manage Anxiety
Please see below a link to a short clip produced by WMIM which provides top tips to manage anxiety.
Healthy Lunchbox Leaflet
Please see attached the Willow Tree Healthy Lunchbox Leaflet for information.
With Me in Mind – Newsletter 4
Please see below the latest Parent newsletter from With Me in Mind.
COVID Test Centre Information
Please see below a link to a short video produced by Rotherham Borough Council regarding our local walk-in test centre. https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F458499863%2F1abfd403d8&data=02%7C01%7CAndrew.Guest%40rotherham.gov.uk%7Ca6d2a8186d164643106808d86855cf67%7C46fbe6fd78ae47699c1dbcea97378af6%7C0%7C0%7C637374065042417676&sdata=Tz1DQp6bz0ueJnZ4vDjzVFjIG6g6Q%2BWIwKn9ASLXTfw%3D&reserved=0
Winston’s Wish – Help for bereaved children
As restrictions change and new lockdown rules come into force in different parts of the UK, WW have updated their guidance on their website on supporting bereaved children and young people during the coronavirus pandemic. Please take a look at their website if you require support or contact Mrs Jenkinson in school.
Please find below resources to support your children with Remote Education.
Greasbrough Primary School 