The Kent newsletter for parents of children with special educational needs or disabilities
It’s Children’s Mental Health Week (1 to 7 February) and this edition of the SEND parents’ newsletter contains some creative ways for you and your child to Express Yourself – the theme of this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week, organised by Place2Be.
Expressing yourself is about finding ways to share feelings, thoughts, or ideas, through creativity. This could be through art, music, writing and poetry, dance and drama, photography and film, and doing activities that make you feel good.
You don’t have to be the best at something or put on a performance for others. It’s just about finding a way to show who you are, and how you see the world, that can help you feel good about yourself.
Take part in challenges this week
Created by Place2Be's Art Room team.
Why not share with other parents?.
Game with your children.
Created by Place2Be's Art Room team.
You can share your photos or artwork of things that make you happy – maybe it’s your pet, your favourite place, or a hobby you’re passionate about. Whatever it is, simply post it on the Kent & Medway Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services Instagram.
Send us your photos
You can point your phone’s camera to scan this QR code and it’ll take you straight to the Instagram page. Or, you can find us on Instagram and use the handle @kentandmedwaycamhs.
We look forward to seeing your photos.
Help from Moodspark
Moodspark has lots of activities, tips and techniques that can help you express yourself and your feelings and along the way build your resilience. Moodspark has lots of activities, tips, and techniques that can help you express yourself and your feelings.
Controlling your emotions
It’s normal to experience a variety of feelings as we encounter different situations in life so try not to think of certain emotions as being ‘bad’ or ‘negative’ as all emotions are valid.
See if you can use this activity that looks at the cycle of our thoughts emotions, physical feelings, and actions to challenge one aspect at a time. You may see a difference in your mood.
Vlogging your emotions
Watch the series of videos by Harry.
You may want to keep a private video journal to help you get your feelings out or share tips on how you look after your own mental health, through using your new-found vlogging skills.
Maybe you want to share your passions and talents by starting your own channel and inspiring others to try the things you love.
Family time
Lots of young people like to play board games, but we bet that you haven't tried this one!
Play this snakes and ladders style game from The Big Life Journal with your friends and family to focus on the positive things about yourself and in your life today.
The Kent Resilience Hub has some useful videos showing tips and advice to help support your child to have good health, positive friendships, hobbies, and interests and to understand their emotions and behaviours. There are also videos to help you reframe your thoughts and language and how to be a resilient parent.
Watch the videos on the Kent Resilience Hub.
They also offer advice, information, and toolkits to parents, staff, and schools to support young people’s emotional wellbeing and resilience.
For more information visit the Kent Resilience Hub website.
Kent Resilience Hub SEND support
Visit the Kent Resilience website to find out more and download their resources.
If you’re aged between 10 and 16 in Kent and 11 and 25 in Medway, Kooth is #HereForYou
Concerned about a young person's mental health?
One of the most damaging effects of the pandemic has been the impact on the mental health of children and young people. Across Kent and Medway there are services and resources that can support parents, schools, and those working with young people.
Online resources
We need to be honest with children and young people about the situation, but also be sensitive not to worry them too much and be aware that children and young people of different ages may need different support. Our wellbeing site was created earlier this year by health, public sector, charity and voluntary organisations across Kent and Medway to signpost residents to information and help during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Visit our looking after your mental health wellbeing for children and young people page.
Kent Together
We understand that COVID-19 (coronavirus) has created uncertainty and anxiety, the constant news can feel overwhelming.
This anxiety is natural, and we are all feeling it. Fortunately, there are things that we can do to protect our mental health and to support the wellbeing of our friends and family.
On our Kent Together wellbeing website, you'll find suggestions that can help your wellbeing as well as children and young people's wellbeing. There are local activities, inspiration, and a handy list of resources and services to get you started.
Kent online youth services
To find out what’s happening and how to get involved, or if you would simply like the opportunity to talk to a youth worker about anything you are struggling with, visit our website for more information.
If you can't find anything in your area that interests you, you can try signing up for services in other areas, although some sessions have limited places and may be reserved for the most local young people first.
More services will be added as and when they become available, so check the page regularly to see what’s new.
Youngminds
The last year has been for some more stressful than usual, especially if you're a parent. It's normal and understandable if you're feeling overwhelmed frustrated, worried or exhausted about the situation.
You might be finding it harder than ever at the moment to know how to best look after your child’s mental health and wellbeing, as well as your own. If you’re struggling, you are not alone. Youngminds have put together some great tips that can really help. Visit their website for more help and guidance.
NSPCC
The NSPCC have created a hub page of information specifically related to looking after your children at home during the lockdown.
They have helpful guidance around looking after your child when using online social media platforms, teaching parents how to be aware of any grooming online.
Visit the NSPCC website for more information.
Release the pressure
Life can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help. We have a highly trained and experienced team available 24/7 to provide expert support no matter what you are going through.
Don’t suffer in silence.
If you're over the age of 14, you can text the word Kent to 85258 or phone 0800 107 0160 for free confidential support at any time.
Free expert advice from trained counsellors is available for every mental health concern, including:
- anxiety
- depression
- low self-esteem
- money worries
- relationship troubles
- stress
- suicidal thoughts.
Kent Children and Young People's Mental Health Service
If you are worried about your child and need urgent help you can call the Kent and Medway Single Point of Access for Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing on 0800 011 3747 to get the right support.
Visit the Kent Children and Young People's Mental Health Service website to find out how help they can help you and your child.
We’re keen to hear your views and opinions about our new special educational needs and disabilities strategy for children and young people in Kent.
The strategy sets out our ambitions to make sure that all children in Kent have equal access to support and education that meets their unique needs and that they and their families are supported to live their best life.
It also explains how we will shape our services for children and their families in a way that improves wellbeing, resilience and learning in our communities.
We have developed the strategy jointly with the NHS and in partnership with children and young people, parents and carers, Kent PACT and other key stakeholders.
About the SEND draft strategy
"It means a significant shift away from how we've done things previously to making sure families can reach the right people at the right time to support their children in the way that they need. This sounds simple but in practice it will rely on equipping our workforce across education, health and care with the skills, knowledge and confidence to do this, as well as creating a Kent-wide system to share and use data and information to make this happen."
Read the consultation and have your say.
The consultation closes 4 February 2021.
IASK provide free, impartial, and confidential information, advice, and support about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for children, young people up to age 25, parents, and carers.
If you need support you can contact IASK by:
- phone: 03000 41 3000
- email: iask@kent.gov.uk.
- visit: IASK website.
Kent PACT is a parent carer forum set up for parents of children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs.
They offer a way for you to have your say and influence us, local health services, and other organisations in improving local services. Some of the parents on the forum are also key members of the joint KCC/NHS SEND Improvement Board.
