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Family Hubs provide a welcoming space for families and the wider community in Westmorland and Furness. You can find your Family Hub in Barrow at Barrow Library.

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Westmorland and Furness SEND IAS Service

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To families with children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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The SEND Local Offer is the central information point for families with children and young people aged up to 25 years with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

If you have would like to contact a member of the SEND Team, please see contact details below:
Barrow, Eden and South Lakes
inclusion.bandsl@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Tel: 01229 407403 You can also download our new Westmorland and Furness SEND Structure Chart [PDF 197KB] to contact a member of the SEND Team. Please note: Some web pages and service records are currently duplicated across both Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness sites. In due course, information will be split across the 2 new authorities.

News and events

Westmorland and Furness Council Library Service is hosting a variety of fantastic events over the coming weeks. The Summer Reading Challenge continues to play an...

Sign up for Newsletters to keep up to date with Cumbria's Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Continuous Improvement Plan...

On the 1 of April 2023 the Local Government Reorganisation will come into effect, and Cumbria County Council as well as the 6 district councils...

If there are particular areas of work or themes that you would like support with, activities or events then do let us know. We would...

News and Opinions All the latest news from across the SEND sector alongside expert comment and stories from the ground. News, blogs, resources, events and...

View all news articles

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Families Information | Westmorland and Furness SEND Local Offer

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The SEND Local Offer is the central information point for families with children and young people aged up to 25 years with special educational needs and/or disabilities. If you have would like to contact a member of the SEND Team, please see contact details below:...

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Support for Parents from Action For Children

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Parent Talk - down-to-earth parenting advice you can trust

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We're on hand to support parents, when they need us. Find answers to your questions in our advice articles, or speak to one of our parenting coaches.

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Starting Secondary School - children with SEND

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Starting Secondary School - children with SEND

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BBC Bitesize

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Starting secondary school with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

This film was recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic.

As a parent or carer of a child with special educational needs, or a child with an educational health & care plan the very idea of moving from primary to secondary school can feel daunting. Here are 5 top tips from an experienced inner city secondary school special educational needs co-ordinator, SENDCo, to help.

1. Create a one page profile about your child noting the difficulties and barriers they face at their primary school, and the strategies that work and that don’t work. This will help the school understand the world of your child quickly, from the people who understand them best, you. Things to consider when pulling it together; what’s currently working well at primary school? Can these strategies be replicated at the secondary school? Situations for your child to avoid, and main concerns about secondary school?

2. Visit the school on a regular school day with, and without, your child. When there, ask as many questions as you like; the school is new to you so don’t feel anything is silly to ask. What do you see are the barriers when you walk around; take notes if you need to.

3. Request a multi-agency meeting that will bring all key adults and agencies connected to the support and care of your child together in one meeting. Any key adult involved with the child would attend this meeting; class teacher, TA, parents, educational psychologist, communication interaction team, speech & language therapist etc. Your current primary SENDCo will be able to co-ordinate this with their secondary school equivalent. Bring along the one page profile, multiple copies if possible, so that it can be shared with everyone, and questions following your visit to the school.

Sample questions to ask:

Where can my child go if they are struggling/anxious/having a meltdown?

What happens at break and lunch time when it is unstructured time?

How can my child get help with reading/spelling/maths/homework?

How will support in assessments work?

Will my child get a Teaching assistant?

4. Ensure you have a named contact at the secondary school and their contact details. This can be the form tutor, SENDCo or head of year. Ask the school which is the best way of contacting them.

5. Consider what needs to be shared with your child:

Transition plan - between the professionals. Lists of multiple individuals and agencies could be overwhelming for the child.

Transition booklet – a go-to guide for the child with named staff and photos of key adults and rooms that they can keep in their bag or locker.

Avoid making your child anxious by saying things like "I don't know how it works, I don't know who to ask". Hopefully with a named contact this shouldn't happen.

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Starting secondary school with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

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SENDCo Trudi Skinner gives advice for parents of SEN children about to start secondary school.

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Top tips to help you / your child prepare emotionally for Secondary School

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Top tips to help you / your child prepare emotionally for Secondary School

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BBC Bitesize

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This film was recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Parents share their concerns before their child starts secondary school, including forming new friendships, new routines, and being overprotective. The film offers tips that can help you and your child prepare emotionally for these changes.

Tips:

Get your child to make a list of things they like about themselves, making sure they identify the attributes behind those qualities

Don't let your worries become their worries

Don't let them feel unsafe because you are constantly talking about safety

Prepare them for all of the new and fun opportunities that they'll have by talking to them about clubs and activities and encourage them to explore what's available

Increase the independence that you give them over the summer holidays or even their last months at primary school so that the jump to secondary feels natural

Let them know that should they need you, you are there for them and will help them no matter what

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Tips that can help you and your child prepare emotionally.

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CBBC Newsround

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What's it like starting a new school? | Newsround | Back to school

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Moving Up! Transition to Secondary School

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Moving Up! Transition to Secondary School

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Anna Freud

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Moving Up! The transition to secondary school (SUBTITLED)

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Bereavement and loss ELSA Resources - Elsa Support

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Bereavement and loss resources are focused on death, dying or emotions around loss. This may be due to separation or divorce. Animals are covered in some resources because this may be a pupil's first experience of loss.

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We help children, young people, parents, and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.

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Starting Primary School - children with SEND

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Starting Primary School - children with SEND

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BBC Bitesize

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Madeline explains what happened when her daughter Eleanor, who has Down’s Syndrome, started primary school.

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BBC Bitesize

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Starting primary school - BBC Parents' Toolkit - BBC Bitesize

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Advice and games to help you and your child prepare for primary school, then thrive during their first year.

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Starting Primary School - parent stories

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Starting Primary School - parent stories

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CBeebies

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CBeebies

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Starting school: parents' stories

All Time for School
Time for School - Starting school: parents' stories

Real-life experiences, memories and advice from teachers, parents and CBeebies presenters about starting school.

Your child's first day at school can be really nerve-wracking for both you and your little one. Here at CBeebies Grown-ups we've collected some of our favourite articles about starting school. We asked some parents to share their own personal experiences with us and some of the CBeebies presenters joined in on the action too!

The teacher's story: starting school

Mum and early years teacher Susan tells CBeebies Grown-ups what it's like when you're a teacher and your own child is starting school...
Can you remember how you were feeling on the first day – what happened?
That’s the trickiest part of balancing being a teacher and being a mum – I wasn’t able to take time off work to be there... READ MORE

Parent's experience: starting nursery

Mum Emma talks to CBeebies Grown-ups about her experience of her daughter Fianna (aged two) starting at nursery…

Why did you choose the nursery that you did for your little girl?

My daughter Fianna originally went to a child minder from the age of twelve months, but just after her 2nd birthday my husband and I... READ MORE

Parent's experience: starting school

Mum Beate talks to CBeebies Grown-ups about her experience of her son Lucas starting Reception.

Can you tell us a little bit about you and your child?

Lucas is now six years old and about to start year 2. He has loved going to school, most of the time... READ MORE

Parent's experience: starting home education

Mum Alice talks to CBeebies Grown-ups about her experience of starting home education with her son...

Why did you choose to home educate?

After my son arrived our bond seemed so strong that I couldn’t think of sending him into day care, be that a nursery or a child minder... READ MORE

Parent's experience: starting school with special needs

Dad Chris talks to CBeebies Grown-ups about his experience of his daughter Harriet starting school…

Can you tell us a little bit about you and your children

Harriet is a twin who is diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and was born premature at 28 weeks... READ MORE

Starting school: Cerrie's memories

CBeebies presenter Cerrie shares her own memories of school and her experiences as a mum...

What do you remember about starting school?

I couldn't read until I was eight (when my dyslexia was finally diagnosed) so my I spent my first four years of primary school in a lovely imaginative daydream... READ MORE

Starting school: Cat, Andy and Katy's memories

We caught up with some of the CBeebies presenters to see what they remember about their first days at school… READ MORE

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Time for School - Starting school: parents’ stories

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Real-life experiences, memories and advice from teachers, parents and CBeebies presenters about starting school.

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Top tips to support your child starting primary school during the pandemic

This article was last updated on 24 August 2020

by Paula Nagel, Educational Psychologist

Starting school is a big event which typically involves a rollercoaster of emotions. This year, however, isn’t typical and we might already feel as if we've been riding the emotional rollercoaster for some time.

As we continue to adapt to the uncertainties of the pandemic, we can’t always prepare for big events as we usually would - and starting school is one of them. So if your child is starting school this year and you’re worried about the impact of the current situation and being ‘school ready’, you’re not alone!

Here are some tips to help your child - and you - feel confident about the big day.

1. Focus on the things you can control

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You may have had expectations about the run up to starting school, the meetings and visits, that haven’t been able to take place. Focusing on what might have been and the things that are out of our control can be emotionally draining, but remember that your child is unlikely to be aware of these expectations and will take the new plans at face value. Try instead to focus on what you can do to help your child feel confident and excited about starting school.

Although you may not have been able to visit your child’s new classroom, many schools have online tours, photographs and school information on their website. Share this information with your child so they are familiar with people and places. Take a virtual tour of a reception class and make a list of the activities they are looking forward to trying. If you can, rehearse the school run a few times. Help your child practise important independence and social skills such as getting dressed, making choices and taking turns. You can explore some of these themes in the My First Day at School game.

2. Wonder about emotions

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Helping your child to begin to put their feelings into words is a step towards school readiness. When children can recognise their feelings, and say things like, ‘That makes me mad’ or ‘I’m feeling scared’ then they are less likely to be hijacked by difficult emotions that can get in the way of learning and making friends. Young children often watch adults to learn how to deal with their emotions, especially during challenging times. Set an example by talking about some of your basic feelings using words like ‘happy’, ‘sad’, ‘angry’, ‘scared’, ‘excited’, and use books and stories to explore how the characters are feeling.

Try to put yourself in your child’s shoes and notice and wonder how they might be feeling and why. Remember that they may not share your concerns about the current situation and may be more worried about things like making friends, what happens at lunchtimes and breaktimes, and using the bathroom. Help them to notice how their body responds to their different feelings. For example, “I can see you are frowning and I’m wondering if that’s because you’re feeling puzzled or worried? Is that right?”

As well as noticing and naming emotions it’s important to help your child learn that there are things we can do to manage our feelings. Why not make a calm box or self-soothing bag filled with things you both enjoy and can do together when you’re feeling big emotions like worry, sadness or anger? Try putting a range of things in your calm kits like bubbles, favourite books, soft toys, textured materials, colouring or sorting activities, and see what works best.

Being able to notice feelings, name them, and find ways to manage them is a lifelong skill, and it’s never too early to start encouraging this.

3. Try to give information that is ‘just right’ for your child

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Don’t be afraid to talk about any difficult feelings children may have about school or the current situation. Understandably, we often have the urge to make things better and solve or get rid of the emotion as quickly as we can, especially if it’s a difficult or painful one. But that’s not always possible or the most helpful thing to do.

Try to listen carefully, take their worries seriously and see things from their point of view. For example, “I know you’re worried about meeting your new teacher and it’s ok to feel worried when things are new and different.” Then try to give honest information to reassure them. “Your teacher is there to look after you and they want you to be happy. They will have lots of exciting things planned to get to know you and help you make friends.” It’s ok not to have all the answers but try to be open and honest, giving ‘just the right amount’ of information. You know your child best, so remember the idea of not giving ‘too much’ or ‘too little’.

4. Try to establish some routines

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Having a routine can be like putting down an anchor when things around us feel different, so keeping some familiar home routines is always a good idea when children start school. However this year, with the disruption of the pandemic, we may have lost many of our established routines. Your child may have spent longer periods of time at home and you may be worried about how they will separate from you during those first few days. Remember it’s normal for young children to show some distress when they go into an unfamiliar situation, and this usually won’t be long-lasting.

Try to reassure your child by giving them simple, practical information about the school day and drop-off and pick-up arrangements. It’s a really good idea to try to get some regular routines in place before your child starts school. Think about how you can make bedtime, morning, and after school routines more predictable. In the weeks leading up to the start date try to practise morning and evening routines.

Familiarise your child with the school run, or make laying out the uniform, packing the school bag and the bedtime story all part of the usual bedtime routine. If you have information about the plans for breaktimes and lunchtimes, and expectations for handwashing and sanitising in school, make this into a story for your child so that it feels familiar before it happens. Routines can help us all feel safer; if we know what to expect, it can take away some of the guesswork and stress.

5. Remember to look after yourself

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Looking after your own wellbeing needs to be a priority. It’s so much harder to be there for your child’s emotional ups and downs if you don’t care for yourself first. It also sets a good example for your child too. Self-care is very personal and can look different for each of us. Try to spend some time thinking about the healthy things that help you feel good about yourself, switch off and relax.

Find out what works for you - whether that’s having a quiet cup of tea, catching up with a friend, keeping a journal, yoga, listening to music, or walking the dog. Starting school isn’t a one-off event, but a process which will last over the coming weeks and months, so try turning your own self-care into a long-term habit. Don’t think of it as a luxury; it’s a necessity.

By Paula Nagel, Principal Educational Psychologist at children’s mental health charity Place2Be.

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Top tips to support your child starting primary school during the pandemic

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Is your child starting primary school this September? Educational Psychologist Paula Nagel has some advice for parents/guardians.

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BBC Bitesize

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Starting primary school - BBC Parents' Toolkit - BBC Bitesize

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Advice and games to help you and your child prepare for primary school, then thrive during their first year.

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Amazing Things Happen - by Alexander Amelines

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What is Autism Support Cumbria?

Autism Support Cumbria provides personalised services to children, adults, families, businesses and organisations.

Autism Support Cumbria serves northern areas of Cumbria, providing support and strategies for individuals who are on the autistic spectrum and their families; I know from personal experience how difficult day-to-day tasks can be for someone who is autistic. Managing socially, getting organised and being bombarded with everyday situations can be overwhelming for anyone on the spectrum: the sound of hand-driers, the feel of clothing, walking into a crowded room, meeting new people, being asked to perform more than one task at a time - can all cause difficulties, whether or not they have learning needs or are high-functioning.

You do not need an official diagnosis of autism to contact me.

Support for adults and children

I am able to offer 1:1 support, working with individuals who want strategies to cope with certain situations eg social conversations, managing anxiety or coping with every-day tasks.

Family support

I can offer advice, guidance, support and strategies to parents and carers on how best to work through everyday situations and how to deal with potential conflicts and 'meltdowns'.

Form filling

Do you need help with form filling such as the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Education Health & Care Plan (ECHP)?

Do you need advocacy when trying to resolve issues with others, such as school?

Are you an adult encountering difficulties within the workplace, do you need someone to speak for you?

Consultancy

Does your business or organisation require guidance with regard to employees who have a diagnosis of autism?

What do 'reasonable adjustments' mean for you?

Do you need advice about autism and what it means for your business?

Do you need more information about autism and how to help your customers in order to provide a better service?

I am able to deliver an autism awareness package, highlighting what autism is and how you can be more autism friendly.

Schools and colleges

With more than 1 in 100 children on the autism spectrum, it is one of the most common types of special educational need, and it affects children in every school in the country. Some 70 per cent are educated in mainstream schools.

As such I am able to provide staff training for teachers.

One survey carried out by the NAS found that 58% of autistic children and young people with autism believe that the single thing that would make school better for them is 'if teachers understood autism'.

A survey conducted by the NASUWT in 2013 found that 60 per cent of teachers believe that they haven't had the training they need to teach pupils who are on the autism spectrum.

Support Groups

I am able to offer general strategies to those who require further information about autism and strategies about the condition, whether your support group is for children or adults.

Academic Tuition

As a trained English teacher I am able to privately home tutor clients in some academic subjects such as English and History. I offer tuition up to GCSE standard. This service is offered regardless of a diagnosis for autism.

Charges are discussed with you on application.

'If you've met one person with ASC, you've met one person with ASC'. (Anon.)

Because every person on the spectrum is different, my approach with every person is individualised; unique to them.

Contact me by email:

Amanda's gift is in pastoral work. She has been able to establish an excellent rapport with her students, which has meant that she has commanded the respect of all her classes and inspired students to want to make progress. Amanda is skilled at dealing with a range of ... personal issues with sensitivity, and students feel confident and safe to express their opinions ...... She has well-developed negotiating skills, along with a creative approach to problem-solving and, being versed in restorative practices, she has used these effectively in the most delicate of situations.

At all times she has been professional, friendly and organised. Her recording is exemplary and a useful tool which she draws on in her supervision.

I think Amanda stands out for her ability to connect with children in a way that facilitates change and growth. Her approach is always playful and focussed on the child. I would not hesitate to recommend her for further pieces of work.

Extract taken from Reference given by:

Thinking Allowed (specialist CAMHS service for children who are looked after or adopted)

(Full reference available on request.)

Amanda was a valued and respected colleague, a much vaunted middle leader, and a colleague who was comfortable and energised by working hard and tackling complicated and intricate issues; both pastorally, with parents and external agencies, and strategically with other stake holders.

Peter Harlow

Retired Deputy Head Teacher

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What is Autism Support Cumbria? Autism Support Cumbria provides personalised services to children, adults, families, businesses and organisations. Autism Support Cumbria serves northern areas of Cumbria, providing support and strategies for individuals who are on the autistic spectrum and their families; I know from personal experience how difficult day-to-day tasks can be for someone who is autistic.

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Make sure your child is in the right space to start learning.

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These can be useful to help your child understand the order of activities that they need to complete.

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AsIam Parents Guide to Autism

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Living Well with Autism- Social Stories 

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Living Well with Autism- Social Stories 

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This social story explains the social expectations involved in using a public restroom, including use of a stall and use of a urinal.

This single page is designed to be enlarged on a copier and made into a booklet.

These skills take practice and time to master, and patient instruction, so keep a change of clothes handy.

Please use this tool with sensitivity and privacy.

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﻿These social stories are designed to be enlarged on a copier and made into booklets, with one image per page. Feel free to customize them for your own child's needs. ﻿

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Based on the 5 point scale - Download click the link below

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12 Amazing Superpowers of students with ADHD 

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12 Amazing Superpowers of students with ADHD 

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The positives of ADHD are numerous and mighty - creativity, empathy, and tenacity, just to name a few. Here, readers share their amazing superpowers.

Thinking positive to find the plus sides of adhd.

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Problem solving skills are a positive about ADHD.

2 of 13

Children use their creativity to build a fort.

3 of 13

A teenager consoles a friend, using her gift of compassion.

4 of 13

Girl with snorkel by family unpacking van shows her sense of humor.

5 of 13

The word impossible is written on a chalkboard, with the "im" crossed out, because those with ADHD have perseverance.

6 of 13

A woman is very observant and employs her keen sense of observation.

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A mom holds her child while also ironing - multitasking is a strength for those with ADHD.

8 of 13

A man is very focused on writing in his notebook. Hyperfocus is a positive trait of ADHD.

9 of 13

A group of young children are running with endless energy, another positive trait of ADHD.

10 of 13

A father and son play airplane together. Their seal for life is an ADHD superpower.

11 of 13

A green apple in a group of oranges illustrates differences. Kids and adults with ADHD are very accepting.

12 of 13

A road sign has an arrow pointing to Right and another toward wrong. Those with ADHD have a strong moral compass.

13 of 13

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Young minds advice for supporting a child with ADHD

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What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects behaviour and concentration.

Children and young people with ADHD often seem unusually restless, impulsive or distracted. They may speak or act without thinking, struggle with organisation, find it hard to focus or appear to be always on the go. Some people with ADHD do not experience hyperactivity though, and this is sometimes called attention deficit disorder (ADD).

ADHD is not a mental illness or a learning disability, though children and young people with ADHD may also have other conditions or experience mental health problems.

Living with ADHD can be very challenging, for children and young people as well as for their parents and carers. But the right diagnosis, treatment and support can make a big difference to a child's learning, life skills and relationships, as well as making family life easier. There is also lots you can do as a parent/carer to help your child manage the things they find difficult.

What are the most common symptoms of ADHD?

A child with ADHD may be:

easily distracted, finding it difficult to start or finish tasks

often unable to concentrate

often restless or fidgety

very talkative, often interrupting or blurting things out

impulsive, acting before considering consequences, prone to taking risks

easily angry or frustrated, struggling to deal with emotions

finding making or maintaining friendships difficult

disorganised, for instance often losing things or being late

lacking awareness of time

Every child or young person with ADHD is individual and they may not display all of these behaviours. And many of these traits and behaviours are typical in younger children, or can follow a traumatic experience - they don't necessarily mean your child has ADHD.

Age and gender can also affect how someone with ADHD behaves. This can make it harder to spot signs of ADHD, particularly in girls, who are more likely to be undiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed with other conditions(i).

Typically the symptoms of ADHD develop in early childhood and they may become particularly noticeable at times of significant change, such as starting or changing school.

What to do if you think your child might have ADHD

If your child frequently experiences some of these symptoms; this is affecting their day- to- day life; and it's happening in more than one setting (for instance at home and school), discuss your concerns with your child's GP. Before doing this, talk to your child's teacher and the school special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) about what they have noticed.

The GP may want to refer your child for assessment, as ADHD can only be diagnosed by a specialist such as a child and adolescent psychiatrist or paediatrician.

Sometimes parents are reluctant to pursue assessment. They may be worried about 'labelling' their child or about stigma, or they may prefer to watch and wait. These feelings are normal. But parents and young people who do seek diagnosis can find it helps them access the right support; understand and manage challenges; and identify individual strengths.

We have more information about getting support from the GP, CAMHS or school in our guide.

ADHD diagnosis, support and treatment

ADHD assessment is usually done through the specialist Children and Young People's Mental Health Services, commonly referred to as CAMHS.

Diagnosis is most commonly made in childhood, and in the majority of cases, symptoms affecting daily life continue into adulthood(ii).

There is no single, definitive test for ADHD. Specialists will base clinical diagnosis on a combination of observations of your child; discussions and questionnaires (with you and your child); and information from your child's school.

They will consider how long the symptoms have been present; their impact on your child's daily life; and whether they might be due to another condition. Approximately 60-80% of children with ADHD have at least one other condition,(iii) (such as autistic spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, anxiety or behaviour problems) and your child may be given more than one diagnosis.

Support and treatment options

You and your child should be offered support and advice to help manage ADHD in their day-to-day life.

ADHD can also be treated with medication and/or therapies. These should be discussed with you when your child is diagnosed, and are set out in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on ADHD.

ADHD can be treated with therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). For more information about therapy, see our parent guide to counselling and therapy.

There are a number of types of medication. These are not a cure for ADHD, and many children do not take them, but they can help manage some of the symptoms. Medication must be prescribed and overseen by a specialist.

You may also be offered ADHD -focussed parent training. This does not mean your parenting is somehow wrong. It is designed to provide support and specific strategies and skills to help you and your child thrive.

Jack is still perennially late, disorganised and impulsive; but he's also energetic, original and creative. The medication is helping him make the most of all of that.

How can I help my child with ADHD?

Be explicit and consistent about unacceptable behaviour, such as violence. Set appropriate consequences and follow them through, but try to stay calm in the moment to avoid escalation. Dealing with challenging behaviour can be very hard, and our parent guide has helpful advice.

Plan the day so your child knows what to expect. Maintaining regular sleep patterns, physical activity and mealtimes can help your child. Some people find dietary change and/or certain supplements helpful, but there is no clinical evidence for this and medical advice should be sought first(iv). Our young person's guide has helpful advice on sleep problems.

ADHD and your child's mental health

Any child or young person can struggle with their mental health and wellbeing, whether or not they have ADHD. This might be caused by things like family change, bullying, exam stress or a traumatic event.

But having ADHD may also mean your child has extra challenges - such as social difficulties, struggling to manage their emotions or getting into trouble at school - that leave them more vulnerable to low self-esteem, anxiety or depression.

Children and young people with ADHD frequently have other developmental or mental health conditions and it is important to ensure they have the appropriate support for these.

As a parent there is a lot you can do to support your child with their wellbeing and mental health:

encourage your child to talk about how they are feeling with you. Our starting a conversation guide has ideas for keeping communication open

if you feel your child may have a mental health problem or another condition alongside ADHD, discuss your concerns with their GP or ADHD specialist.

Working with school if your child has ADHD

ADHD is a special education need (SEN), and it may be referred to as a specific learning difference (SpLD). Your child is entitled to appropriate support to help them thrive socially and educationally. This could include potential adjustments in certain situations, such as extra time or rest breaks for exams, movement breaks in lessons, written instructions for tasks and a seating plan that minimises distractions.

Discuss the diagnosis and needs with the school's SENCO, taking a list of your concerns and background information to the meeting.

Your child may be entitled to an education, health and care plan (EHC plan) which details the support they need and how it will be provided. (The National Autistic Society has helpful information about EHC plans.)

Good communication between you and school can be really helpful in ensuring your child thrives in education and meets their potential. Our parent guide to support has more advice on talking to school or college.

ADHD in teenagers and beyond

If your child is a teenager or young person, their needs and the support you give may well be different from when they were younger. They may like to read our young person's guide to ADHD and mental health. But there are still many ways you can help.

Looking after your own wellbeing

Parenting a child with ADHD can sometimes be isolating, upsetting or exhausting. Sometimes parents feel judged or blamed by others (unjustifiably as parenting does not cause ADHD). It is entirely understandable if you are finding things difficult.

It's important to recognise the impact the situation is having on you, and think about ways you can take care of yourself - including getting support from other people so that you can take some time off. It's okay to ask for help when you need it, and to share your worries with someone you trust. We have advice on looking after yourself as well as your child.

Our son's challenging behaviour with ADHD had an enormous impact on the whole family, as we and his brothers bore the brunt of his anger.

Where to get further support

If you would to speak to a professional adviser or find out more about how you can support your child, these organisations can help.

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Help Your Child With ADHD | Parents Guide to Support

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What is ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects behaviour and concentration. Children and young people with ADHD often seem unusually restless, impulsive or distracted. They may speak or act without thinking, struggle with organisation, find it hard to focus or appear to be always on the go.

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Resources to support young people with ADHD

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Resources to support young people with ADHD

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The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity - an integrated health and education service.

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A folder with lots of activities to learn how to spell common exception words

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Help

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Hear posts, chat messages, and assignments read aloud using Immersive Reader in Microsoft Teams for Education. Immersive Reader also includes grammar tools such as Parts of Speech and Picture Dictionary.

Launch Immersive Reader from a message

Hover over a message with your cursor or tap with your finger on a touch screen device.

Select More options , and then Immersive Reader .

Immersive Reader will launch as a full-screen experience.

Launch Immersive Reader from an assignment

If you're a student, open an assignment and select Immersive Reader .

If you're an educator, open an assignment and select Student view, then Immersive Reader .

Immersive Reader will launch as a full-screen experience.

Immersive Reader features

You can do one or more of the following in Immersive Reader, depending on how you'd like to focus on the message or assignment text.

Select Play to hear your document read aloud and to see the text highlighted simultaneously. The narrator starts reading from the top of your page by default, unless you have selected a word, in which case it will start reading from the selected word. Select Pause to stop narration.

Select Voice Options on the top right of the document to change the speed of narration.

Text Options

You can change the appearance of your document by using Text Options. Text options can help you focus on your content and remove visual distraction.

Set Text Size, Spacing, Font, and Themes that suit your learning needs. You can increase or decrease text size and the amount of spacing between letters and words. The Theme color you select becomes the background color of the document.

Switch on Show Source Formatting to retain formatting from the original text, such as bolding or underlining.

Parts of Speech in Grammar Options

Select one or more of the following options:

Syllables to break words into syllables.

Nouns to highlight nouns in your document in purple.

Verbs to highlight verbs in your document in red.

Adjectives to highlight adjectives in your document in green.

Adverbs to highlight adverbs in your document in yellow.

Switch on Show labels to see the label underneath the highlighted parts of speech.

Reading Preferences

Line Focus enables readers to narrow the focus of their reading experience by highlighting sets of one, three, or five lines within their chosen material in Immersive Reader. Use the toggle to turn it on or off.

Picture Dictionary gives you the ability to click on any single word to hear it read aloud and see a picture that helps define the word.

Translate lets you translate your text into other languages by word or document.

Select Close to exit Immersive Reader.

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Hear posts, chat messages, and assignments read aloud using Immersive Reader in Microsoft Teams for Education. Immersive Reader also includes grammar tools such as Parts of Speech and Picture Dictionary. Hover over a message with your cursor or tap with your finger on a touch screen device.

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Parents and families | National Literacy Trust

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Our parent-facing site Words for Life provides milestones, tips, fun resources and advice to help parents support their children’s literacy development.

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You will need your login details to access your account. Ask your class teacher if you are unsure of your details.

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Learn reading and spelling skills with Nessy Reading or develop understanding of core mathematical concepts with Nessy Numbers.

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Free eBook library | Oxford Owl from Oxford University Press

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Browse our library of free children’s eBooks to read with your child including Oxford Reading Tree adventures with Biff, Chip and Kipper.

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Phonics Bloom create interactive online phonics games to help teach children the relationship between letters and sounds and develop the skills needed to read and write. All our resources are designed by an experienced team of teachers and parents.

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Phonics Games for the Classroom and Home - Phonics Bloom

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Play a range of online phonics games, helping teach children the relationship between letters and sounds and develop the skills needed to read and write.

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Phonics Pop

Phonics Pop is a mobile friendly bubble pop game. Choose a set of sounds to practice, or select from the digraph (2/3-letter sounds) checkboxes. Then listen to the target sound and pop as many as you can.

If your child achieves >95% accuracy the bubbles will change to rainbow colours.

This game is © copyright 2020, J.Barrett, ictgames.com All Rights Reserved.

Made using the and libraries.

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Phonics Pop is a mobile friendly bubble pop game. Choose a set of sounds to practice, or select from the digraph (2/3-letter sounds) checkboxes. Then listen to the target sound and pop as many as you can. If your child achieves >95% accuracy the bubbles will change to rainbow colours.

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Downloads

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Videos

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These are videos that we have found useful working with young people and families as well as videos they have suggested to us.

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Websites

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Beat is a website dedicated to Eating Disorders.

An online learning and advice resource for anyone interested in, or concerned about, the mental health of children and teenagers.

A counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the UK provided by the NSPCC

Parenting and family support

The ACAMH website has extensive information about youth mental health topics as well as resources for professionals working with young people and families

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​ Beat is a website dedicated to Eating Disorders. An online learning and advice resource for anyone interested in, or concerned about, the mental health of children and teenagers.

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Apps

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A meditation app that acts as a personal guide to health and happiness

An online cognitive behaviour therapy program for depression and anxiety

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A free app designed to help teens and young adults cope with anxiety.

Helps build resilience - the ability to stay strong, motivated and optimistic even in the face of difficult obstacles

Turns the latest innovations in the science of happiness into activities and games that help you lead a more fulfilling life.

A meditation program developed by psychologists and educators to help bring mindfulness into your life

Chill Panda helps children better understand their stress and shows them ways to feel better using breathing techniques, yoga, exercise and calming games.

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A meditation app that acts as a personal guide to health and happiness An online cognitive behaviour therapy program for depression and anxiety ​ A free app designed to help teens and young adults cope with anxiety.

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In Morecambe Bay, Community CAMHS services are provided by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

Further information about CAMHS can be found on the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust website.

For referral criteria for CAMHS please see pages 9-11 of the criteria booklet:
Criteria Booklet
Contact details - North Lancashire

Lancaster and Morecambe CAMHS

Ross Centre

Euston Road

Morecambe

LA4 5LE

Tel: 01524 550650

Contact details - South Cumbria

Phone: 01229 402696
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
NHS Net: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Address: South Cumbria CAMHS

Alfred Barrow Health Centre

Barrow in Furness

Cumbria

LA14 2LB

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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

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In Morecambe Bay, Community CAMHS services are provided by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Further information about CAMHS can be found on the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust website.

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BBC - how to boost positivity for your family at home

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BBC - how to boost positivity for your family at home

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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we live as individuals and as families. We are uncertain about the future and we are limited in what we can do. It's not surprising that we may sometimes struggle to feel happy and motivated.

This is true for both grown-ups and children. How often have we, as parents, felt frustrated or irritable during lockdown? How many times have we found ourselves snapping in situations that we could usually take in our stride? This is the same for children, and it often simply reflects that we have all been facing a difficult situation and need to find better ways of coping with it.

Unfortunately, we can't magically change our feelings, or our children's feelings, by clicking our fingers. However, we can work to change our behaviour, which in turn can influence our emotions.

Here are some tips to help you boost positivity within your family and manage difficult emotions that may arise at this time and in the future.

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How to boost positivity for your family at home

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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we live as individuals and as families. We are uncertain about the future and we are limited in what we can do. It's not surprising that we may sometimes struggle to feel happy and motivated. This is true for both grown-ups and children.

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Mental Health film made by children (Anna Freud)

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Mental Health film made by children (Anna Freud)

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panic attacks

Panic attacks, Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia are common problems and respond well to psychological treatment.

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One of the main treatments is graded exposure. This is a behavioural intervention that can be illustrated in an easy to understand way. Elements of this booklet may also be useful in the treatment of other anxiety disorders.

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This booklet covers the main principles of graded exposure. It is designed to be used with a therapist explaining how to carry out the intervention, and the booklet illustrates the main concepts. Outside of sessions the illustrations will have enough information to act as a reminder to the client.

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Instead of having a traditional "Exposure Diary", there is a graph where individuals can track their experience of exposure exercises. They can log their level of anxiety before, at the start, and at the end of each exposure exercise, and this will let them see the process of habituation.

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It's recommended that one graph sheet is used per step on their graded exposure hierarchy.

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therapy resources | thrapycomics | panic

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A workbook to treat panic attacks and panic disorder using graded exposure. Uses comics instead of text.

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It's normal for children and young people to feel worried about something that's happening at school - for example, when starting a new school or during exams. Sometimes, however, school can become challenging, stressful or distressing over a much longer period of time.

If your child is feeling anxious about school, or not able to go, it can be exhausting for both of you. Mornings in particular can become really stressful for the whole family, as you try to juggle your child's feelings alongside the need to get them to school and get on with your other responsibilities such as work. Even if you manage to get your child to the school gate, you might know how difficult they're going to find the day - or know that you'll be facing the same problem tomorrow morning.

If you're in this situation, we've got advice to help you explore what's going on with your child, make changes at school that can help, and find the support you need if your child can't go to school.

About the term 'school refusal'

When anxiety builds up to the point that a young person cannot go to school, this is often called 'school refusal' - and you might hear the school or other professionals using this term. However, many young people and parents do not like this term because it implies that 'refusing' school is a choice, and you may prefer to use terms such as emotionally-based school avoidance (ESBA) or anxiety-related absence.

What makes young people feel anxious about school?

Young people can feel anxious about school for lots of different reasons. They might be worried about making friends or fitting in, find schoolwork or lessons confusing, feel pressured to learn in a certain way or find their relationships with teachers difficult.

Sometimes, going through difficult experiences outside of school - such as bereavement, an illness in the family or being a young carer - can also make it harder for a child to feel settled at school.

For some young people, the school environment isn't right for them, and trying to fit into it can create a huge amount of stress. This might be the case if they are struggling with their mental health, or have a neurodiverse condition or Special Educational Need (SEN) such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia or dyspraxia. This can make the school environment anxiety-provoking and exhausting, especially if their condition or need is undiagnosed or not being well supported.

Young people might show they're feeling anxious about school by:

not wanting to get up and get ready

saying they can't go

worrying a lot about small issues, such as having the right equipment for a lesson

feeling sick, or having stomach aches or headaches

not sleeping well

not doing schoolwork, or their grades dropping

being angry or upset, or acting out - at school or at home

withdrawing - seeming low, quiet or depressed

Finding out what's going on for your child

Sometimes it can be difficult to work out what's making your child feel anxious, and the first step is often helping them to identify exactly what's worrying them. Once you understand the problem, you'll be in a much better position to make changes that can help.

Young people can find it hard to explain what's causing their feelings, and might not be able to answer direct questions like 'what's going on?' Using an anxiety iceberg can help to open up the conversation - giving you a more relaxed way of exploring together what's causing their anxiety.

Watch our video to find out how to make an anxiety iceberg with your child.

If you're making an anxiety iceberg with younger children, you might want to draw images on the iceberg, or encourage them to write simple words. With older children and teenagers, you can ask them to write key words and phrases on the iceberg, or do this as a mind map, with 'school' in the middle and all the things they're finding difficult around the outside.

Through this exercise, you might identify worries such as arriving at school, finding the environment noisy or overwhelming, finding lessons confusing, feeling lonely through the day, or feeling uncomfortable during specific subjects.

Making changes at school

Once you understand what's going on for your child, you can use their anxiety iceberg or mind map to communicate with the school and ask for specific changes.

Follow these steps to start a conversation with the school:

Here are some examples of things you can ask the school for:

Remember that even though this situation can be really tough for you and your child, it's a good idea to maintain a positive relationship with the school. Recognise the support they're offering and any changes they're making. This will help you work together to make things better for your child.

Building a relationship with the attendance team at my son's school was hugely helpful, we were talking with them each day.

Strategies you can try at home

For more information and advice on managing anxiety, have a look at our guide for parents.

If your child isn't able to go to school at the moment

If your child isn't going to school at the moment, this can be incredibly stressful and exhausting for you - and really tough for your child. You might be worried about whether they will be able to get back to school or the impact on their education. Or, you might feel overwhelmed because you're juggling this alongside work and other family commitments.

If your child's anxiety about school has built up to the point where they can't go, it's a good idea to get them some professional mental health or SEN support - see our advice on this below.

Alongside requesting professional help, try to:

The school's SEN and attendance policies should be on their website. Knowing what these are can support you during meetings with the school.

This can help if your child is unable to go to school for a longer period of time and you need to ask for more support, including provision of alternative full-time education.

Encourage your child to get up, do some studying and stop for lunch at the same times they would if they were in school. This will make adapting back to school easier. Explain to your child that if they cannot go to school, they will need to study at home - at least until alternative arrangements are put in place. Ask the school to help you facilitate tasks and activities your child can do and use online resources such as BBC Bitesize.

Not going to school could leave your child feeling really isolated. Make sure they stay connected to the outside world by seeing friends and family, doing activities they enjoy and getting outside for walks and exercise.

Speaking to friends online can be really important if your child is feeling isolated at home. Sometimes, however, you might notice that your child is spending lots of time gaming or on their phone, and that this is getting in the way of important daily activities like spending quality time with family, learning, or sleeping and eating well. If this is becoming a problem, have a look at our guide to gaming or guide to social media for more information and advice.

Local authorities must provide alternative education if a child of compulsory school age is unable to attend school over a longer period of time. If your child cannot attend school because of a mental or physical health issue, the local authority should provide an alternative as soon as it is clear that they will be away from school for more than 15 days (either consecutively or over time). Find out how to request alternative education.

What will happen if my child doesn't go to school?

Parents often tell us they are worried about fines and prosecution, but schools generally consider this only if they feel there is no valid reason for the absence, or that parents aren't engaging with the problem.

If the absence is prolonged, the case may be referred to a local council Education Welfare Officer (EWO). They will arrange a home visit to find out more and discuss strategies. The school may also refer to other support, including from CAMHS.

Helping your child return to school after an absence

Getting back to school after weeks or months may feel extremely difficult for your child, but you and the school can help make it more manageable. Here are some things you can do to help:

Set small, achievable targets, such as visiting the building outside school hours or attending one lesson.

Request a home visit from a school staff member so your child can check in while feeling safe, see that the school cares and discuss any strategies that might help them.

Ask for a reduced timetable, with regular reviews to discuss building back up at a manageable rate.

Discuss changing classes or sets if your child thinks this would help.

Focus on qualifications needed for what your child wants to do next, perhaps dropping a less relevant GCSE to reduce stress.

My son wasn't questioned about his absence when he did feel able to pop in for favourite lessons, helping to ease him back into full days of education.

Getting mental health and SEN support

If your child is struggling with anxiety and it's affecting their day-to-day life, learning or relationships, it's a good idea to find some professional support. Speaking to the GP and finding them a counsellor or therapist are two good places to start. You can find more information about GPs, counsellors and other mental health services in our guide to getting help for your child.

If there is no other obvious reason for your child's inability to attend school, they may have an undiagnosed Special Educational Need (SEN) such as dyslexia, autism or ADHD.

If you think this is the case:

Speak to the school's SENCO or your GP to ask for a referral for an assessment.

While you are waiting for an assessment, you can also ask the SENCO to refer your child for support from other professionals, such as an Educational Psychologist or Speech and Language Therapist. These professionals can identify specific needs and make recommendations for additional support the school can put in place - even if your child hasn't had a formal diagnosis yet.

SEN support at school
If your child is diagnosed with SEN, extra support and adjustments should be put in place at school to help them attend and learn. This is called SEN support, and should be available within the school's existing resources. Speak to the school's SENCO in the first instance about how the school will support your child.
Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans
If you do not think your child's needs can be met by the school's existing resources, you can ask the local authority to carry out an Education, Health and Care needs assessment (EHC needs assessment). If the local authority decides your child needs additional support, they will then make an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan). This outlines how the extra support they need will be provided. Find out more about EHC plans.
Your Local Offer
Your Local Offer is the information, support and services available for young people with SEN, and for their parents and families. You can find out what support is available in your area by going to your local authority's website and searching for their Local Offer.

If you need more information and advice about getting the right education for your child when they have been diagnosed with a Special Educational Need (SEN), IPSEA can help.

If you need to talk through a problem, their Advice Line can provide support with any educational issue resulting from your child's SEN. You can also find lots of information, including information on assessments and diagnosis, as well as getting support from the school and local authority, on their website.

Finding more information and advice

Useful helplines and websites

While we take care to ensure that the organisations we signpost to provide high quality information and advice, we cannot take responsibility for any specific pieces of advice they may offer. We encourage parents and carers to always explore the website of a linked service or organisation to understand who they are and what support they offer before engaging with them.

You might also find this helpful

We have more tips and advice on supporting your child with school, and information about how you can get in touch with our Parents Helpline.

This page was reviewed in December 2022. It was created with parents and carers with lived experience of supporting their child or young person with school anxiety. We will next review the page in 2025. YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK - the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.
Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

Please be aware that this form isn't a mental health support service. If your child is in crisis right now and you want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.

At YoungMinds we take your privacy seriously. If you'd like to read more about how we keep the information we collect safe, take a look at our privacy policy.

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School Anxiety and Refusal | Parent Guide to Support

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If your child is anxious about school, or refusing to go to school at all, read our tips and advice on how you can support their mental health.

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When you are in the yellow or red zone, try some of these ways to help you calm down. Which one worked for you?

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We all feel angry sometimes, and that's okay. Try some of these activities to help you calm down and get back to the green zone.

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Mental health support for parents and carers – Place2Be

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Advice and resources for parents and carers to help support their child or young person’s wellbeing.

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Mental Health Resources For Children and Young People

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Free mental health resources, posters, lesson plans and activity sheets for primary and secondary school staff, and mental health professionals working with children and young people.

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Sarah Alleyn (The Blurt Foundation)

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This page contains affiliate links, read the disclosure statement Inside: Kid tested strategies used by child therapists for calming anxiety, including ideas to calm down, books to read and videos that can help
It's happening again. Your daughter is frustrated and stomping away down to her room, slamming the door and in general "has her cranky pants on". You say calm down, but she yells back "I don't know how to do that!!!"

We tend to tell our kids to "calm down" without ever giving them explicit directions on how to deal with stress and anxiety. Here's a collection of the best tools and tips I've found to teach children how to calm down and relax.

Sometimes you'll need a quick way to help your child calm down and you don't have much with you. Maybe it's when you're out at Target or stuck in traffic. These tips will come in handy at those times:

Imagine your favorite place - it's like taking a mini vacation wherever you are

Think of your favorite things

Name animals alphabetically (alligator, bear, cow, dog, etc...)

Squeeze Something (play dough, clay, silly putty, your fists, a stress ball)

Get a Cold Drink of Water

54321 Grounding - go through each of your 5 senses

Put your arms straight out in front of you, palms facing out.

Put one hand over the other at the wrists and interlace your fingers.

Swoop your hands and arms toward your body and then place your interlaced hands on your chest.

Cross your feet at the ankles and put your tongue on the roof of your mouth.

Stay still for one minute.

It's great to have a big list of coping skills to try when your child needs to calm down. Here are two more short lists of ideas for calming down at home or at school.

From Imperfect Families - Strategies to use at home

From Encourage Play - 10 Strategies to Help Kids Calm Down at school or home

People usually roll their eyes initially when they hear "breathing is important". But I will continue to say it and explain why. It's so simple, yet has such a big impact on your body's physiology.

When you and calm and relaxed, your body is in "rest and digest" mode. You breathe normally, your heart rate is lower and your muscles are relaxed. However, when stress or anxiety or anger occurs, your body automatically switches into "flight, fight or freeze" mode. Your muscles tense up, your heart rate increases and your breathing becomes more shallow.

Taking deep breaths, instead of shallow breaths, is one way to tell your body to get back to resting and digesting. That's why deep breathing is important!

Luckily, there are some fun ways to teach kids deep breathing techniques

Things to use

Things to say

Breathe in like you are smelling a flower, breathe out like you are blowing out birthday candles

Arms up and breathe in, arms down and breathe out

Pretend your belly is a balloon. Breathe in and make the balloon bigger, then breathe out and make the balloon shrink.

Videos to watch
4 - 7 - 8 Breathing by GoZen
Breathing at Sea Otter Cove from Stress Free Kids

A Coping Skills Toolbox is a kit that you create to help your child calm down when they are upset, anxious or worried. In order to get the most benefit from this, you should create this kit before an issue occurs. When your child experiences anxiety, then they can pick out an item from their Coping Skills Toolbox. This is one of my favorite ways to help kids learn to calm their anxiety.

Here are some other fantastic ideas for what to put in a coping skills toolbox/calm down kit from And Next Comes L

You can create a place specially designed to allow to calm down in a few steps

Find a spot and make it cozy (ask your child for help with that - maybe they can place a favorite blanket or stuffed animal inside)

Add calming tools

Explain how to use it and practice before

When they are starting to escalate, catch it early and give them a calm reminder about their calm down spot

Use the following phrases as a way to support your child, let them know that you're going to support them and help them in any way that you can.

"I'm here for you"

"Talk to me and tell me what's going on"

"How can I help?"

"Together, we can work on this. We're a great team"

"I love you"

"Do you want a hug?"

Here are some more ideas of what to say to calm an anxious child.

From Go Zen - 49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child

From Lemon Lime Adventures - What to Say to Calm an Anxious Child

Did you know there are podcasts with stories for children? Usually the hosts have a soothing voice and the stories tend to be pretty short. Your child can listen to these podcasts as a way to have some down time.

There are scripts you can read to your child to help them relax and calm down. Slowly and carefully read the words as your child listens and follows the instructions. Check out Inner Health Studios list of scripts you can use with your child. If you prefer not to read a script, there are ones that are pre-recorded.

There are also scripts to practice mindfulness with children. Eline Snel has written a great book on Mindfulness with Kids, Sitting Still Like a Frog. Here are the several scripts that can be used from that book!

Annaka Harris also has several pre-recorded scripts to help kids practice mindfulness

Confused about how to introduce mindfulness to kids? Check out these resources:
Simple Ways to Introduce Mindfulness and Meditation to Children 11 Simple But Effective Ways to Teach Mindfulness to Kids
What you need:

I've used empty soda bottles, empty water bottles, glass jars and plastic containers. Use whatever makes sense for you and your family. For instance, for the calming jars the kids have in their room, I used a heavy duty plastic bottle. I didn't want them to accidentally knock over a glass jar in the dark - that would be a huge mess!

I've had the best results when I've used warm water - it makes it easier for the water and paint to combine.
Glitter Paint
I prefer using glitter paint (or glitter glue) instead of glitter because then I'm not cleaning up glitter for weeks at my house after we make them :-)

To make your jar, add glitter paint to the bottom of the jar until it just covers the bottom of it. Add warm water. Put the cover on and shake to help the ingredients combine. Once you are satisfied with the look of your jar, then you can super glue the lid shut so it doesn't spill. In a pinch, I've also used duct tape to secure the lid.
Watch Make a Simple Calming Jar from Coping Skills for Kids on YouTube Wet Ingredients
Sometimes you want the glitter/other items to stay afloat longer or for a shorter amount of time. Here are some different ingredients you can use as the wet ingredients.
Dry Ingredients
To see several other ways to make calming jars, take a look at what Preschool Inspirations did.

One of the first things I always like to do with kids if they are struggling is to start using visuals. When you're stressed and anxious, it's harder to read and take in information. Visuals are easier.

I like to keep calming cue cards in my children's coping skills toolboxes so that they can make a decision about what coping skill they can use. Sometimes pulling out a list is too much in the moment. You can make your own cue cards.

Take several index cards or small pieces of cardstock

On each one, write or draw one coping skill

Hole punch the cards and place them on a keyring (to make them extra sturdy, you can laminate them)

Put them into the coping skills toolbox for easy access

Using visuals is a powerful way to help kids. When kids are overwhelmed, sometimes it's hard for them to figure out what to do. By having cue cards, your child can have a visual reminder of what calms and relaxes them.

To make things a little easier, I've created ready to use coping skills cue cardsfor you. There are four different sets: Calming, Physical, Distracting, and Processing. If you'd like all 4, I created a set where you can download them all together.

If your child is anxious, they may also be having a difficult time getting settled for bedtime. Here are some ideas to help your child get settled at bedtime.

PINPOINT WHAT THE FEAR IS

One of the most important things to do is to figure out exactly what is causing the anxiety. Is it fear of the dark? Is it a worry about something in the closet? Is it monsters? Is it spiders? Figuring out the cause of the fear will help you come up with ways you can help your child combat it.

REARRANGE THE ROOM

Are there particular spots of the room that seem to be darker or cause more fear at night than others? Go into the bedroom during the day with your child and talk about the spots that make your child nervous. Try moving night lights and furniture around for a more calming room arrangement.

TRANSITIONAL OBJECTS

If your child has a hard time separating from you, try a transitional object. This is a special item that helps your child feel comforted. It helps them feel like part of you is still present even when you're not there. It could be something like a stuffed animal or a special stone or necklace, or a sweatshirt of yours. The object isn't what matters, it's what the object represents. They can keep it and hold it all night long to help them relax and go to sleep.

Find more strategies here: 12 Kid Friendly Strategies to Calm Anxiety at Night

Looking for some calming guided meditation to help get to sleep at night? Try one of these: Best Guided Meditations for Sleep.

Whenever I sit down and talk with someone about their coping skills, one of the first
things I ask is if they have tried writing about it. Why do I always start with journaling as
a way of processing through difficult feelings?

It's easier to write about than talk about hard things

Journaling helps you process what's happening.

It's convenient.

It's not graded

It can help you solve a problem

It can help you re-frame your thinking

Looking for a journal for a child or teen? Check out Big Life Journals!

General Anxiety

The Coping Skills for Kids Workbook by Janine Halloran. This book has over 75 strategies for kids to try to help them manage their stress and worry. This book also includes colorful worksheets to help kids learn more about their anxiety and what they can do to manage their stress.

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook I love that when Wilma Jean's physical reactions are described, they're also illustrated. When is says she has knots in her stomach and her knees lock, her stomach really looks like it's tied in a knot and there's a real lock around her knees. I love the activity she does with her teacher, going over worries she can control and worries she can't, it's a great way to help kids manage their anxiety.

David and the Worry Beast by Anne Marie Guanci David's anxiety is a beast, and the more anxious he gets, the bigger it grows. David learns to control his thoughts, and his beast shrinks. There's also a couple of pages for parents and kids in the back.

When My Worries Get Too Big by Kari Dunn Buron This book is wonderful! There are several pages where kids can add in their own thoughts, worries and what helps them relax. This book also uses the 5 point scale to talk about stress and different ways to manage it.

What To Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner, PhD This book goes through several ways that can help kids manage anxiety, including setting a time for worries, thinking about things that make you happy and resetting your body with activity or relaxation. There are some interactive places in this book, where a child can write down their worries, draw some images of things that might help, etc.

What To Do When You're Scared and Worried by James J. Crist This is one of my favorite books for kids to help them deal with anxiety. Near the beginning of the book is a checklist that helps kids narrow down what they are anxious about. The beginning of the book covers the basics of what anxiety is and how to help manage with coping skills. The next section of the book goes into detail about different types of anxiety kids might experience, including Separation Anxiety, Phobias and Panic Attacks.

Separation Anxiety

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn Classic about managing separation anxiety when kids start school. My daughter's kindergarten teacher read this on our visit to school the first day.

When I miss you by Cornelia Maude Spelman This is perfect for little ones who have a hard time dealing with the fact that they are away from their parents during the day. It suggests a couple of things they can do to help and reassurance that parents will come back at the end of the day.

Wemberley Worried by Kevin Henkes Poor Wemberley worries about everything, and then she gets really worried when she is about to start school.

This E-Course offers you instant support from a Child Therapist.
You will get:
12 Videos that are quick and bite size

14 Exercises that will expand on the skills taught

6 Cheat Sheets that will serve as a reference
Along with the course you get:
Access to the instructor for ongoing support

Downloadable PDF versions of all lessons

Lifetime access to the course

More from Coping Skills for Kids about Anxiety in Children...

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Calming Anxiety - Coping Skills for Kids

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Inside: Kid tested strategies used by child therapists for calming anxiety, including ideas to calm down, books to read and videos that can help

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Inside: Kid-friendly coping skills used to help manage anger, including safe ways to express anger, books to read and videos that can help. This post contains affiliate links. Learn more.
It's starting again, as usual, right after your son gets off the school bus. He is frustrated from things that happened during the day, and now he's yelling and stomping around the house. You're feeling overwhelmed and don't know what to do next.
How do you help an angry child?
Here's a collection of the best tools and tips to teach children how to manage their anger in safe and healthy ways. Let's start with some quick, safe ways to help kids express those feelings.

Looking for more quick ideas to help kids express their anger?
Stop sensory meltdowns by hanging upside down 5 simple ways to help children calm angry feelings 10 more ways to help kids manage anger A Different Way to Respond When Your Child is Aggressive
We need to help our kids understand and expect that they will experience a variety of feelings as they go through life, including anger. It's normal to feel angry at times. It's what you do with those feelings that matter.

Here's a great reminder from Imperfect Families that anger is a feeling too.

When a child is in fight, flight or freeze mode, they can't process information as well as when their body is in rest and digest mode. This is not a teachable moment, and they can't take in a lecture at this point. Your goal is to get them through this rough moment. It's best to keep talking to a minimum. When you do speak, make sure you use a neutral, calm, and quiet tone. Keep it short and repeat the same phrase. Repeating it is helpful because they aren't processing information and words as they usually would. Repetition makes it more likely that they'll hear what you are saying.

Phrases that you can say at that moment:

"I'm here for you."

"I love you."

"I want to help you."

"Let me know when you're ready."

"You are mad; I get it."

"I understand."

Looking for some more inspiration for phrases to say? Check this out:
26 Phrases to Calm and Angry Child
When some kids get big feelings, they destroy items around them - rip books, throw toys, etc. If that's the case for your child, it may be helpful for you to set up a safe spot where kids can go when they are angry. In that space, take everything out that can be destroyed or thrown that might injure someone or damage property. If you have more than one floor, set up a safe spot on each level of your home.

If you aren't in the safe spot when your child is dealing with big feelings, move harmful objects out of the way and try to get them to that safe place.

It may make sense to set up their room as a safe place too. We found this helpful when our son was dealing with a lot of angry feelings. We moved his toys and his bookshelf to a different room in the house so he could still play with them. The items that stayed in his room were those things that wouldn't hurt him or us. We did this to keep everyone, including him, safe. And as time went on, and he had better control of his emotions, we were able to add things back to his room.

How to Make a Calm Down Spot at home
Calm Space in Schools
One of the best things you can do is work on teaching coping skills kids can use before things escalate to epic proportions. The trick is practicing when they are in a calm and relaxed mood, not in the moment when they are angry.

Identify Triggers

Start by talking about what's making them angry. Help them identify those triggers, so you both know for the next time. Is it a particular school subject that makes them frustrated? Perhaps being hungry or thirsty? Are their specific noises or locations that are frustrating?

help kids identify where they feel angry in their body

Sometimes, kids don't know they're angry until after the explosion has happened. Help them identify the signs their body gives them that they are feeling angry. Over time, they'll start to recognize that feeling and ideally use a coping skill before things get too overwhelming.

Explore what other emotions they may be feeling

When kids are angry, there are usually other feelings that they are experiencing too. But anger is easy to see and often hides different feelings that lie below the surface. It's sometimes referred to as the "Anger Iceberg." It takes a bit of time to figure it out, but when your child is in a calm place, talk about what other feelings may be hiding underneath their anger.

Read more about the anger iceberg here.

Identify and practice coping skills

Now that they know what causes those big feelings and how to identify them, help them figure out ways to deal with those feelings in safe and healthy ways. Go through the coping skills checklist and have kids check off the skills that work for them, cross off the ones that don't and circle the ones they want to try.

Identify one coping skill your child would like to try. Take a few minutes during the week and have them practice a coping skill they may be able to use next time. For example, if they are going to try using shapes for deep breathing, have them practice before, so they know how it feels. The idea is to have them practice, so they know what it feels like to do it when they are calm.

Using coping skills to deal with big feelings will not go perfectly every time. Learning to manage anger is a work in progress. Little by little, with practice and time, kids will get better at it. Encourage them when they make safe and healthy choices. When they don't, continue to work with them to figure out better steps they can take the next time.

Use a Feelings Thermometer

Using a feelings thermometer can help kids make the connection between their feelings and their coping skills. Here's how you can make an anger thermometer.

How to Make an Anger Thermometer:

Have the child pick out three colors, one for each section of the thermometer and color it in. Then talk about each section.

Ask what it looks like when they are just a little angry, at the bottom of the thermometer. Do they sigh loudly, growl, etc.?

Then move on to the middle section of the thermometer. If they are medium-sized angry, what does that look like? Does their voice get louder? Do they stomp their feet, etc.?

Finally, talk about what it looks like when they are experiencing big anger at the top of the thermometer. What does that look like? Is it yelling, throwing things, etc.?

It isn't always easy for kids to do this. If they are having a hard time identifying what the behaviors were, I tell them what I noticed the last time I saw them get angry. Or, if I haven't seen them angry, I'll give them a prompt to help them, like "When some kids get angry, they yell, is that something you do?"

Once we go through and identify behaviors on the thermometer, then we work on identifying coping skills they can use to calm down. Some examples include getting a drink of water, taking deep breaths, shredding paper, or taking a break.

Make sure they have coping skills that will help them at each level of anger. It's essential to have a variety of coping skills for each level because not all coping skills will work all the time. For some kids, taking a drink of water can help calm them down when they are just slightly angry. However, when they are furious, getting a drink of water won't help. They need to do something different at that point, like take a break.

When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang Poor Sophie has a hard time managing her anger when she has to share gorilla with her sister. It's a visually appealing book to show how big her feelings get and how it looks when she calms down again.

When I Feel Angry by Cornelia Maude Spelman This is part of "The Way I Feel" series. It explains how different things can make you angry, and that feeling angry is an expected part of life, but it's what you do when you're feeling that way that matters.

Cool Down and Work Through Anger by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed. Another great book that talks about how anger affects your body and suggesting safe ways to express yourself.

Angry Octopus by Lori Lite and Max Stasuyk A great book that actually is a progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing script for kids. It's wonderful!

Don't Rant and Rave on Wednesdays by Adolph Moser It mentions the consequences of having unchecked anger, and acknowledges that adults struggle with this too. A large part of the book explains different strategies kids can use to express anger in a safe way, which I think is fantastic.

How to Take The Grrrr Out of Anger by Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis I love using this book for kids who are having a hard time managing being angry. I typically read one chapter at a time with the kids and work on some of the strategies listed in the book.

What to Do When Your Temper Flares by Dawn Huebner This book has lovely illustrations and goes through "anger dousing" methods.

Happiness Doesn't Come from Headstands by Tamara Levitt. This is a beautifully illustrated book all about growth mindset and resilience. Leela wants to do headstands and is getting frustrated, and believes the only way she can be happy is if she does headstands. With the help of a friend, she shifts her focus from what she can't do to what she can and focuses on the journey, not the singular goal is doing a headstand.

The Secret to Clara's Calm by Tamara Levitt. This is another beautifully illustrated book that demonstrates the power of mindfulness in managing big feelings. Clara has a bad temper and has big reactions to small problems, but then that leads to kids not wanting to be around her anymore. She works on learning how to be mindful and manage her big feelings with the help of a bird named Brodhi.

Chillax!: How Ernie Learns to Chill Out, Relax and Take Charge of His Anger by Marcella Marino Craver This is a graphic novel, perfect for the tween set.

It's common for parents to struggle with staying calm when their child is angry. As a mom, I know that's tough, especially when your child is having a difficult time. But it's important to learn to do it. You have to get yourself calm before you can help your child. One of the best ways to help your child is to make sure you stay calm yourself.

Use Self-Talk

Here are some phrases that may help you as you are working with your angry kid:

They're having a hard time, not giving me a hard time.

Share my calm, don't join their chaos.

I am in charge of staying calm, no matter how my child is acting and behaving.

All feelings are OK. My job is to help my kid manage them.

I can remain calm, and be a good example for my child.

Be the thermostat, not the thermometer.

TAKE Deep Breaths

If you're getting upset and about to blow up, try deep breathing. I know, it sounds hokey, but it makes a difference. When you are feeling overwhelmed, your body can go into fight, flight, or freeze mode, but in situations like these, you want to stay in rest and digest mode. By taking deep breaths, you're signaling your body to go back to rest and digest mode. Expand your belly as you inhale, and contract your belly as you exhale. Try taking several deep breaths before you take steps to intervene.

Use a grounding technique

If you're overwhelmed, sometimes it helps to do a grounding exercise to calm yourself down.

FIND your support system

Know that you are not alone. Read what this mom has to say about parenting an angry child. If you don't have a support system, then it's time to find one. Here are some ideas for both in person and online support groups to help you.
In Person Support:
There are lots of places you can get support in person. One resource I love is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. They offer Family Support Groups, which meet regularly. They also offer a 12 week class for parents by parents, called Family to Family Support. Search for your local NAMI chapter here.

Having support for your child outside of your family can be a lifesaver. Talk to the school, teachers and coaches to help support your child during a difficult time. Sharing knowledge about what strategies work, and how you child responds in different environments is invaluable information.

You can also seek help from a licensed therapist to help support you. It's great to have someone to talk through the tough situations you are experiencing. If scheduling an in-person meeting is tough, you can see therapists online at sites like betterhelp.com. Some kids also benefit from seeing their own therapist. Read this to get a little more information about when you should seek outside help for your child.
Facebook Groups:
Did you know you can search for groups on Facebook to find others who are struggling with similar issues to yours? Here are some active Facebook Groups that have been helpful for families.
Note: You may need to apply to some of these groups in order to be added.
Support for Sensory Needs

Raising Poppies

Happy Sensitive Kids Community

Modern Parenting

The Neighborhood, Imperfect Families

The World's Okayest Parents
Coping Skills for Kids Group
As your son continues to stomp and growl, you take a few deep breaths and say to yourself "Be the thermostat, not the thermometer." Then, in a calm voice, you say to your son "I'm here to help. I love you."

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Inside: Kid-friendly coping skills used to help manage anger, including safe ways to express anger, books to read and videos that can help. This post contains affiliate links. Learn more. It's starting again, as usual, right after your son gets off the school bus.

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Learn while being active!
Lots of ideas for Maths at KS1 and KS2!

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Super Movers helps children across the UK to get physically active with curriculum linked videos.

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Many children struggle with learning disabilities that can hinder their ability to process and understand information. Dyscalculia is a developmental disorder that involves difficulty conceptualizing and performing mathematics. The following are several practical ways that parents can help a child who struggles with dyscalculia.

Play With Dominoes
Playing games that use dominoes can help a child more easily understand simple math concepts. Specialist Ronit Bird states that a child should learn to recognize the number patterns on the dominoes and dice instead of counting the individual dots each time. Start by using dominoes and dice by themselves so your child feels comfortable with these objects. Next, find a game your child enjoys that uses these items.

Resist Using Worksheets
Whenever possible, parents should play games with their children to reinforce math facts instead of relying on worksheets. Games are almost always more interesting for kids. They present math as fun challenges to solve instead of boring concepts to memorize. If worksheets are used, it may be necessary to highlight important numbers in the instructions and throughout various problems. Allow your child to use a variety of colored pencils when completing worksheets, as it may help them more easily organize their work.

Use Manipulatives
Seeing and handling a tangible object will help a child better understand the abstract principles of mathematics. Legos and simple blocks can be used to teach addition and subtraction. TheSchoolRun.com suggests using a counter when working with children. Actually covering a certain number of counters with your hands will enable your child to more easily visualize different groups of numbers.

Learn the Language of Math
Parents should encourage their child to talk out loud as they work through a problem or new math concept. Children who struggle with math may have good language skills that could help make the mathematical process easier. It's a good idea for children to learn several synonyms for a variety of math terms. For example, when discussing addition problems they could use terms such as "plus," "increase" and "more than." Explain basic terms to your child and allow them to talk about each definition, describing what it means in their own words.

Create Visual Models
While this is similar to using manipulatives, creating visual models can expand beyond working with basic handheld objects. Understood.org advises moving around large objects in a room or drawing pictures to vividly explain aspects of math problems. Even simple household objects such as different colored socks or pairs of shoes can be used to teach addition and subtraction.

Use Accommodations
Accommodations can include everything from circling keywords in math sentences to giving your child extra paper to work out math problems. You should also discuss with your child's teacher accommodations that can be implemented at school. A few include extra time given for tests and access to a math resource room if one is available. The school may also allow a child with dyscalculia to use a calculator when working on daily math problems as well as tests.

Teach Toward Understanding
While learning math can be broken into sections, it's always a good idea to have the end goal in mind. Memorizing facts -- such as multiplication tables -- is a good idea, but simply memorizing facts won't always lead to real understanding of a math concept or process. Start by instructing your child to reason through a problem using logic instead of rote memorization. It's also a good idea to memorize a few basic strategies that have wide application.

While each one of these strategies may not work with every child, finding even a few that do will likely go a long way in helping a child build their math skills. It's important for parents to acknowledge the struggles and praise the progress that's achieved with each new skill that their child masters.

Contact us today to schedule an assessment. You can also view the research and results of the program on the website.

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7 Practical Ways Parents Can Help a Child with Dyscalculia

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Many children struggle to process and understand information. Dyscalculia is the difficulty of conceptualizing & performing math. Here are 7 ways to help!

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iPad apps for Learners with Dyscalculia 

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iPad apps for Learners with Dyscalculia 

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Welcome to ictgames. Here you'll find free to play educational games aimed at children between 5 and 8 years old; written by a UK teacher with 20 years experience. The games are linked to the UK KS 1 and 2 curricula. Here are some help videos to get you started.

&nbsp Number - number and place value

&nbsp Number - addition & subtraction

&nbsp Number - multiplication & division

&nbsp Geometry - properties of shapes

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Free educational games aimed at children between 5 and 8 years old. Made by a UK teacher with 20 years of experience in education.

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Build your number bonds using Lego bricks!

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Use bricks to help you add amounts.

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Practise counting along or back using a hundred square. Use the hundred square for addition or subtraction.

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Fine Motor Skills Activities for Older Kids

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These fine motor skills activities could work with older kids who find other tasks too childish.

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Easy, actionable, and functional Occupational Therapy activities and interventions. OT resources and information to help kids thrive.

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Speech and Language Activities for Parents and Teachers 

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Speech and Language Activities for Parents and Teachers 

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Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

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Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

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Resources for Children's Speech and Language

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Children's Speech and Language resources to download

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Fun and practical phonics activities you can do at home

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How many different ways can you practise writing your name? Look at some of these fun ways!

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Child and Family Support Service

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Home * What we do * Children & Families * 0-19 Child and Family Support Service

Supporting children and families in Allerdale, Barrow, Carlisle and Copeland

Family Action is delighted to be working closely with Cumbria County Council to deliver their new 0-19 Child and Family Support Service, having officially taken over provision on 1 January 2020.

Our support

We are currently in the process of mapping existing provision against the new service specifications. In the meantime, we expect existing services to continue as usual. If you have any specific questions, for instance around session times or availability, please see the new ' What's On ' guides for each area below, or speak directly with your local centre manager.

Once the above mapping has been finalised, we will be offering a wide range of services, including but not limited to:

Advice:

Information and advice sessions

Online information, advice and support

Signposting to local services

Universal peer support group

Help:

Support and coaching on a 1:1 basis

Referral to a universal or specialist service

Participation in specialist group work

Further help:

Bespoke 1:1 support and coaching to help you address your and your family's needs

Referral to a universal or specialist service

Follow-up coaching

Current services

Get information on all the current services and activities available in each area in our new ' What's On ' guides, as well as where to find them and how to get in touch, by clicking on the relevant section below.

We're here to provide a listening ear, answer particular parenting questions or help with guidance around more complex issues. All support takes place via telephone, text message or email and is free.

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0-19 Child and Family Support Service - Family Action

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Family Action is delighted to be working closely with Cumbria County Council to deliver their new 0-19 Child and Family Support Service, having officially taken over provision on 1 January 2020. Our support We are currently in the process of mapping existing provision against the new service specifications.

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Advice, learning activities & recommended toys, books & resources for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

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Home * What we do * Children & Families * 0-19 Child and Family Support Service

Supporting children and families in Allerdale, Barrow, Carlisle and Copeland

Family Action is delighted to be working closely with Cumbria County Council to deliver their new 0-19 Child and Family Support Service, having officially taken over provision on 1 January 2020.

Our support

We are currently in the process of mapping existing provision against the new service specifications. In the meantime, we expect existing services to continue as usual. If you have any specific questions, for instance around session times or availability, please see the new ' What's On ' guides for each area below, or speak directly with your local centre manager.

Once the above mapping has been finalised, we will be offering a wide range of services, including but not limited to:

Advice:

Information and advice sessions

Online information, advice and support

Signposting to local services

Universal peer support group

Help:

Support and coaching on a 1:1 basis

Referral to a universal or specialist service

Participation in specialist group work

Further help:

Bespoke 1:1 support and coaching to help you address your and your family's needs

Referral to a universal or specialist service

Follow-up coaching

Current services

Get information on all the current services and activities available in each area in our new ' What's On ' guides, as well as where to find them and how to get in touch, by clicking on the relevant section below.

We're here to provide a listening ear, answer particular parenting questions or help with guidance around more complex issues. All support takes place via telephone, text message or email and is free.

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0-19 Child and Family Support Service - Family Action

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Family Action is delighted to be working closely with Cumbria County Council to deliver their new 0-19 Child and Family Support Service, having officially taken over provision on 1 January 2020. Our support We are currently in the process of mapping existing provision against the new service specifications.

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Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

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Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

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(IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

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(IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

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IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) - helping children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law

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Special Needs Jungle provides parent-centred information, news, resources and informed opinion about SEN, disability, children’s health and SEN politics