Useful Information during the Coronavirus National Lockdown
This page has a number of links to recent/updated information for parents during the current national lockdown restrictions in the UK (January 2021). It was reviewed and updated on 15th February 2021 (previous review on 3rd February 2021).
We continue to send out regular email updates which include links to coronavirus information. If you’d like to receive our emails, all we need is an email address to send them to you. (A number of our previous updates can be found on our website.)
During the lockdown period we are posting a daily link to mental health information on Twitter (with the hashtag #MHDaily) and a link to a general tip (look for the hashtag #ParentTips). These links are also compiled and shared in our emails and on Facebook.
The button below will take you to our main Coronavirus Information page where you will find more links to information about Covid-19 (not specific to the current national restrictions).
Links to useful information on other websites.
You can find links to some useful websites below. These links will take you away from this site to information on a number of different websites.
We are not responsible for the content of any other sites. If you find that a link is broken or feel that the content of a website is inappropriate for inclusion, please contact us.
We have organised the links into several sections:
Useful Website Links
General Information
You can find more links to general information about coronavirus on the Useful Information – Coronavirus page.
2021 National lockdown: Stay at Home
Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country. Find out what you can and cannot do – Gov.uk guidance.
Coping with lockdown as a single parent
Action For Children’s advice for lone parents.
Children of critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings
Only children of critical workers and vulnerable children and young people should attend school or college – Gov.uk guidance.
Government guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
Government guidance for everyone who has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable from Covid-19.
Government guidance on visiting arrangements in care homes
Government guidance for visiting care homes during the period of national restrictions beginning 6th January 2021.
Useful Website Links
Mental Health
How to tackle lockdown emotions
BBC Bitesize secondary parents’ survival guide – with Dr Sheila Redfern
Managing lockdown stress
BBC Bitesize article by Peter Fuggle, Director of Clinical Services at the Anna Freud Centre and Yvonne Millar MBE, Clinical Psychologist.
Coronavirus: Dr Radha's five mental health tips for lockdown
Dr Radha Modgil from BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks shares her top five tips on how to stay mentally and emotionally well during the coronavirus lockdown.
Look after your child's mental health in lockdown
Kadra Abdinasir, Head of Children’s and Young People’s Mental Health for the Centre of Mental Health shares top ways you can look after your child’s wellbeing.
Parents' tips for supporting an anxious child in lockdown - Young Minds
Three parents share how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting their child’s mental health – and what they’ve been doing to support them.
Why self-forgiveness is so important during lockdown - Young Minds
During lockdown, we may feel pressure to do certain things or be a certain way, but it’s important to be patient with ourselves. Read Emma’s post about self-forgiveness.
Dealing with the January blues in lockdown
January can feel difficult at the best of times. But with a new lockdown due to Covid-19, this year it may feel particularly difficult. Nia, 22, shares how she’s coping in this Young Minds article.
Managing your feelings about changes to lockdown - MIND
MIND’s information for young people who are struggling with their feelings about lockdown changing, and want to know how to cope.
If you're worried about your mental health during lockdown - Samaritans
The Samaritan’s tips for looking after your mental health during the pandemic and useful contacts for anyone who is struggling.
Young Minds Need to Talk
The Young Minds list of helplines and websites for young people up to the age of 25 who want information, help or just a listening ear.
Coping with anxiety about leaving the house - Young Minds
Tips on how to cope after staying home for many weeks.
Coping with anxiety in a post-lockdown world
Advice by Dr Fiona Pienaar for Parent Zone.
Useful Website Links
Younger Children
Coping practically and emotionally during the Covid-19 lockdown
Lockdown advice from Family Lives.
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Government guidance for local authorities and all early years providers in England.
How should I respond to challenging behaviour during lockdown
If you’re seeing more challenging behaviour from your children, you’re not alone. Find Action for Children’s advice here.
Making a childcare bubble with another household - GOV.UK
Government information on how you can get informal childcare for anyone under 14 from friends and family you do not live with.
Making a support bubble with another household - GOV.UK
Government information on how you may be able to safely expand the group of people you have close contact with during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Useful Website Links
Older Children and Young People
Supporting your teen during the coronavirus lockdown
Internet Matters’ conversation pointers about some of the growing challenges teens are facing due to the coronavirus lockdown.
How to tackle lockdown emotions
BBC Bitesize secondary parents’ survival guide – with Dr Sheila Redfern
How to cope with lockdown as a young LGBTQIA+ person
Tim Sigsworth of the Albert Kennedy Trust tells The Mix about the biggest issues facing LGBTQIA+ young people at the moment.
Coping with anxiety about leaving the house - Young Minds
Tips on how to cope after staying home for many weeks.
Useful Website Links
SEN and Disabilities
Parents' Toolkit: SEND
BBC Bitesize SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) resources, activities and support to help you and your family during lockdown.
Homeschooling children with SEND
A series of information resources to help parents, carers and families support pupils with SEND at home during the period of school closures, from Centre for Inclusive Education, UCL.
Homeschooling during lockdown - SCOPE
SCOPE’s information about homeschooling your child during lockdown.
The end of lockdown? Family Fund report
Family Fund report about the last six months in the lives of families raising children with disabilities.
Left in Lockdown report
Report by the Disabled Children’s Partnership about parent carers’ experiences of lockdown.
Left Stranded report
Report about the impact of coronavirus on autistic people and their families.
Useful Website Links
Childcare and educational settings (nursery, school, college etc)
Children of critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings
Only children of critical workers and vulnerable children and young people should attend school or college – Gov.uk guidance.
What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges in the autumn term
Government guidance for parents and family carers of children and young people at educational settings, from nurseries to colleges
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Government guidance for parents and family carers coverimg changes to after-school clubs, holiday clubs, tuition, community activities and other out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (and during national restrictions).
Protective measures for holiday and after-school clubs, and other out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Government guidance including an updated section on who should attend out-of-school settings in line with new national lockdown restrictions.
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Government guidance on actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Supporting a child returning to school after lockdown - Young Minds
The Young Minds Parents’ Helpline experts share their tips for supporting a child in the transition back to school life.
Eight ways to support your child as they return to secondary school
Some tips to help support your child as they start or return to secondary school
.
Returning to school after lockdown - Nip in the Bud
Tips by Dr Jess Richardson for supporting a child in returning to school (Nip in the Bud)
Preparing autistic and SEND children for going back to school
Short video-based course (free).
Going back to school or college - a visual story
A visual story explaining how going back might be different – Ambitious about Autism
Returning to school - a different normal
Getting back to school may signal the start of a new year, the legacy of the previous two terms cannot be overlooked. Child Bereavement UK has information about supporting pupils.
Back to school - Worcestershire Children First
A guide for children on going back to school (short animation by Worcestershire Children First, June 2020)
Useful Website Links
Resources for homeschooling, activities, online safety and events
A letter to parents homeschooling during the Coronavirus pandemic
and
Ten tips for parents homeschooling because of Coronavirus
Using consoles to connect to Teams
Short film explaining how to connect to Microsoft Teams using Xbox or Playstation consoles.
Teams - controls and settings guide
Internet Matters’ guide to Microsoft Teams controls and settings.
Zoom - controls and settings guide
Internet Matters’ guide to Zoom controls and settings to help make your family’s experience more secure.
Getting back to school at home
Internet Matters’ tips to support your family getting in to learning mode.
Online Safety home activity packs
Thinkuknow’s activity packs to support your family’s online safety at home.
Teaching your children at home during the lockdown
Family Lives’ tips to help you and your family make this experience less stressful.
Lockdown homeschooling: how to make it work for your family - MadeForMums
“You don’t need to do it all”: Made for Moms’ expert GP (and mum of 3)’s advice to everyone trying to cope with homeschooling during lockdown.
Homeschooling during lockdown - SCOPE
SCOPE’s information about homeschooling your child during lockdown.
BBC Bitesize Lockdown Learning
Videos, quizzes and activities for children learning at home plus practical advice and activities for parents.
Remote schooling SOS Episode 1
ParentZone’s special series of livestreams – Remote Schooling SOS. Episode 1 – How Good is Good Enough?
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Home Learning Packs
A range of free downloadable home learning activity packs to complete as your read the books
Educational resources
Downloadable activities from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service with links to other useful resources.
Education and learning packs - Unlocking the Severn
Unlocking the Severn’s education and learning packs are designed to introduce learners to the world of water and rivers.
Unlocking fish fun
Unlocking the Severn’s series of fish-themed activities to try at home.
River Stories with Sal
Storyteller Sal goes on a journey of river songs and stories for Unlocking the Severn.
Home Learning Sessions
Details of free, live lesson series by the National Marine Aquarium (replays available).
Fun activities and crafty ideas
Downloadable activities (and a parent pack) from ParentZone.
Computing resources for home learning
A selection of activities and materials, all of which are free to access.
First News
First News is a weekly newspaper aimed at 7 to 14-year-olds; it’s free for a limited period during school closures.
PE with Joe
PE with Joe is broadcast on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during lockdown on The Body Coach TV online; previous episodes are also available to watch.
Find great ways to get active
Sport England’s tips, advice and guidance on how to keep or get active in and around your home.
Physical activity ideas - primary ages
Active Herefordshire Worcestershire’s physical activity ideas for primary schools and families.
Physical activity ideas - secondary ages
Active Herefordshire Worcestershire’s physical activity ideas for secondary schools and families.
Premiership Rugby - Learn With Us films
“Learn With Us” films from Premiership Rugby; new episodes on Wednesdays and Fridays during lockdown.
Active Parent Portal - AJB Sports in Education
AJB Sports in Education’s list of resources to help tackle boredom and keep your children active and learning.
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