Supporting young carers

This section includes information specifically for young carers and their parents, but please also see other pages which also have relevant information.

You can also contact us on 0345 241 0954 or [email protected] to learn more about how we and others can help.

The government has published guidance for young carers and young adult carers which you can see by clicking here. This is in addition to their “Guidance for those who provide unpaid care to friends or family” which is useful to read.
Click here to see see how we can help you with some items in the guidance that the government has given.

Information for young carer support

You can also see the young carer section of our website for more information on support at this time.

Support available in Norfolk

We have produced a guide to the support available for young carers in Norfolk.

You can download a guide to the sources of young carers support in Norfolk during coronavirus (COVID-19) by clicking here – PDF 609kB

Supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing

Advice is available for those looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children or young people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This includes advice on looking after your own mental health and wellbeing. Click here to read more

An easy read guide to looking after your feelings and your body is available – click here.

You can also find more information on our page on getting the advice and support you need.

Caring for children with learning disabilities or autism

The social care institute for excellence has produced a guide to help family members and carers supporting adults and children with learning disabilities or an autistic adult or child through the COVID-19 crisis. Its aim is to ensure that carers are able to carry on giving good, safe support to their family members during the pandemic. You can see it at www.scie.org.uk/care-providers/coronavirus-covid-19/learning-disabilities-autism/carers-family

Resources for children under 5

For parents with children under 5 years old, who have not yet started school, the Department for Education (DfE)’s Hungry Little Minds campaign features tips and practical activities that you can do at home with children to support their early learning.

Activities for babies, toddlers and children

The BBC’s Tiny Happy People campaign is there to help you develop your child’s communication skills. You can explore simple activities and play ideas and find out about their amazing early development.

Family Zone

This is available at literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/ with sections for ages birth to four years old, five to eight years old and nine to 12 years old. Over the next days, weeks and months the Literacy Trust will be updating this as often as they can with new and useful content for parents.

Split up by age group below, you will find ideas and guidance for simple activities that will engage your children at home, while also benefiting their reading, writing and language development.

You’ll be able to access free reading and writing resources, audiobooks, videos, competitions and reading challenges. Every resource is available for free, although to access some you may need to create a free account.

Help with children understanding coronavirus (COVID-19)

A number of resources are available to help children to understand more about the coronavirus.

Children’s Commissioner

One has been produced by the Children’s Commissioner to which aims to answer children’s questions about coronavirus, tell children how to stay safe and protect other people and how to help them make the best of their time at home. To download this, go to www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/childrens-guide-to-coronavirus/

From the illustrator of The Gruffalo

The publishers at Nosy Crow have made a book with Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler.

This is available to download for FREE at nosycrow.com/blog/released-today-free-information-book-explaining-coronavirus-children-illustrated-gruffalo-illustrator-axel-scheffler/

The book has had expert input from Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and two head teachers and a child psychologist.

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?

Online safety

Thinkuknow have created pages to support parents during Covid-19 and the closure of schools. Each fortnight, they are releasing new home activity packs with simple 15 minute activities you can do with your child to support their online safety at home. These are available as follows:

ChatHealth

ChatHealth is a secure and confidential text messaging service for young people. It allows patients to easily and anonymously get in touch with a healthcare professional for advice and support.

  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – Text 07840 635 443
  • Norfolk – Text 07480 635060

Safeguarding

In an emergency, always call 999

Cambridgeshire

If you are not a professional involved with the child or family, you do not have to give your name and your conversation will be treated confidentially. Call 0345 045 5203 (8-6pm Monday to Friday) 01733 234 724 (Out of hours) or email [email protected]

Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership

  • Text: 07480 635060
  • Call: 0344 800 8029

National organisations