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Whats Happening at SEND CENTRAL Summer 2026 (2)

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SEND CENTRAL - Weekly Calendar (A3 Poster) summer holidays  2026 (8)

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Early help is all about providing the right support to children and families at the earliest possible time. Every family has its ups and downs. There are lots of different reasons why you might need a bit of extra support and it’s OK to ask for help.

Please see this guide which explains what Early Help is

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Danesgate Community has a very close relationship with the charity York Young Carers, together we aim to provide support for the well-being of individuals that have care responsibilities within the home setting. We work closely with the charity and the staff at York Carers Centre who aim to identify the impact that caring may have on the emotional and physical health, education and life chances of young carers, and provide appropriate, individual and group support.

For further information or if you have any questions please contact our Young Carers Champion Steve Burdett.

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We support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their parents and carers. We provide a free, impartial and confidential service to help with concerns or questions around education, health, social care, inclusion and preparing for adulthood.

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Welcome to York SEND Local offer - York SEND Local Offer

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We aim to improve the educational outcomes, emotional well being and personal development of children and young people through the use of psychology.

We work with children and young people, in partnership with parents/carers and staff, in a variety of educational settings including pre-schools, schools and colleges.

Complex special educational needs

For those with complex special educational needs, who have an Education, Health and Care Plan in place, we have statutory duties to monitor progress and provision up to the age of 25 years if they remain in education or training.

Concern about a child's progress

If you are concerned about your child's progress in their educational setting, you should discuss this with your child's teacher/tutor or the Special Needs Coordinator (SENCO) in the first instance. Each Local Authority educational setting receives an allocated number of visits per year from a named Educational Psychologist. See contact details for our Educational Psychology Team. Priorities for Educational Psychology time are negotiated with the SENCO at a planning meeting, which usually takes place at the start of each term.

Training for schools and other organisations

There are also a wide range of training and development opportunities available to schools and other organisations from the Educational Psychology Service. See our Educational Psychology traded services brochure.

All Educational Psychologists employed by us are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and can be found via the HCPC website as 'practitioner psychologists'.

Educational Psychology resources

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Educational Psychology - City of York Council

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We aim to improve the educational outcomes, emotional well being and personal development of children and young people through the use of psychology.

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If your matter is an urgent safeguarding concern, please contact MASH Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm. Via telephone 01904 551900 or email mash@york.gov.uk.

For out-of-hours emergencies please contact the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 0300 131 2131.

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If you ever have any concerns about the safety, wellbeing, or welfare of your child or of another student please do not hesitate to get in touch with our school safeguarding team

k.mower@danesgatecommunity.org.uk

j.walker1@danesgatecommunity.org.uk

d.furniss@danesgatecommunity.org.uk

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Latest news

1. Dying Matters: let's talk about it That's the message from York and Scarborough Teaching ...

2. 'We See You' We have launched an exciting new project for Carers Week called 'WE SEE ...

3. Carers Week 2024 Carers Week (10 - 16 June) is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, ...

4. Carers Trust launches landmark Young Carers Covenant to transform the lives of over one million ...

View more news posts

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How to make a young carer referral | York Carers Centre

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HOPELINE247 | Papyrus UK | Suicide Prevention Charity

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Are you having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for someone who feels suicidal? Then contact HOPELINE247 for free confidential support on 0800 068 4141.

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I was unsure of coming to Harmless, but my wife really wanted me to give it a go - and within moments, I really felt listened to. I love that while I was the focus, there was also support available for my wife too You can make a referral into the service click here Alternatively, [...]

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We support main carers of children and young people, as well as parents. You might be a kinship carer, legal guardian, foster carer, grandparent or sibling. If you are the child or young person's main carer, we want to support you. Our advisers are trained and experienced in supporting carers as well as parents.

If you are a family member or friend, but you are not the child or young person's main carer, see our online information for advice around how you can support them. You can also encourage their parent or main carer to contact us.

If you are a professional looking for information about supporting the young people you work with, see our resources for professionals.

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Parents Helpline | Mental Health Help for Your Child

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The YoungMinds Parents Helpline, Webchat and Email provide support and help for parents and carers worried about their child's mental health and wellbeing.

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It's okay to reach out for help. Your situation is unique and no parent has all the answers. We all need a little extra support sometimes, and we hear from parents and carers just like you all the time.

So, if you're worried about the mental health and wellbeing of a child or young person up to the age of 25, you can chat to us by phone, email or webchat.

Our Parents Helpline is also accessible for those who are hard of hearing or speak English as an additional language. If English is not your first or preferred language, we can arrange for a language translator to support you on a call with one of our helpline advisers. Or if you would like to use our webchat or email service, we offer a digital translation service.

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Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child

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Practical tips, advice and where you can get help if your child or teenager is struggling with their mood, feelings, or their behaviour seems different.

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Skip to main content

Honest and useful advice for parents and guardians

You probably can't stop your child from coming into some contact with drugs, but by staying as informed as possible, you can help them make the right choices when they do.

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Practical advice for parents and carers on how to talk to your child about drugs. Know the facts, understand the issues and start talking. | FRANK

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Find out everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law. Talk to Frank for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol today. | FRANK

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All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required to submit this form.

Which page are you providing feedback for? * Please copy and paste the page link here.

Tell us your feedback: * Please do not include personal details. This is not a mental health support service and you will not receive a reply.

Please note:

This form is not a mental health support service. We cannot reply to this. If you or your child are at immediate risk of harm, call 999 and ask for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E. If you are worried about your child's mental health, call our Parents Helpline on 0808 802 5544, Mon-Fri, 9:30am - 4pm. If you are struggling with your own mental health, call Samaritans on 116 123.

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Drugs & Alcohol | Mental Health | Guide For Parents

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There are ways to help your child develop a healthy and informed relationship with alcohol and drugs. Read our information and advice for more.

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Self-harm: A guide for parents and carers

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Self-harm: A guide for parents and carers

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We support main carers of children and young people, as well as parents. You might be a kinship carer, legal guardian, foster carer, grandparent or sibling. If you are the child or young person's main carer, we want to support you. Our advisers are trained and experienced in supporting carers as well as parents.

If you are a family member or friend, but you are not the child or young person's main carer, see our online information for advice around how you can support them. You can also encourage their parent or main carer to contact us.

If you are a professional looking for information about supporting the young people you work with, see our resources for professionals.

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Parents Helpline | Mental Health Help for Your Child

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The YoungMinds Parents Helpline, Webchat and Email provide support and help for parents and carers worried about their child's mental health and wellbeing.

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It's okay to reach out for help. Your situation is unique and no parent has all the answers. We all need a little extra support sometimes, and we hear from parents and carers just like you all the time.

So, if you're worried about the mental health and wellbeing of a child or young person up to the age of 25, you can chat to us by phone, email or webchat.

Our Parents Helpline is also accessible for those who are hard of hearing or speak English as an additional language. If English is not your first or preferred language, we can arrange for a language translator to support you on a call with one of our helpline advisers. Or if you would like to use our webchat or email service, we offer a digital translation service.

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Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child

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Practical tips, advice and where you can get help if your child or teenager is struggling with their mood, feelings, or their behaviour seems different.

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I was unsure of coming to Harmless, but my wife really wanted me to give it a go - and within moments, I really felt listened to. I love that while I was the focus, there was also support available for my wife too You can make a referral into the service click here Alternatively, [...]

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With the enduring terrorist threat, it is now more important than ever that everyone plays their part in tackling terrorism. Your actions could save lives.

That's why Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) is encouraging communities across the country to help the police tackle terrorism and save lives by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity.

Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan. If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT or, in an emergency, dial 999.

Within Counter Terrorism Policing we work around the clock to Prevent the threat of extremism and terrorism. We also work to Pursue active terrorist threats and stopping those who seek to do us harm.

Some examples of suspicious activity or behaviour could potentially include:

Hiring large vehicles or similar for no obvious reasons

Buying or storing a large amount of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons

Taking notes or photos of security arrangements, or inspecting CCTV cameras in an unusual way

Looking at extremist material, including on the so-called Dark Web, or sharing and creating content that promotes or glorifies terrorism.

Someone receiving deliveries for unusual items bought online.

Embracing or actively promoting hateful ideas or an extremist ideology.

Possessing firearms or other weapons or showing an interest in obtaining them

Holding passports or other documents in different names, for no obvious reasons

Anyone who goes away travelling for long periods of time but is vague about where

Someone carrying out suspicious or unusual bank transactions

You are not wasting our time, and no call or click will be ignored. What you tell us is treated in the strictest confidence and is thoroughly researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.

Any piece of information could be important, it is better to be safe and report it. Visit gov.uk/ACT and remember, trust your instincts and ACT.

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What You Can Do | Counter Terrorism Policing

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With the enduring terrorist threat, it is now more important than ever that everyone plays their part in tackling terrorism. Your actions could save lives. That's why Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) is encouraging communities across the country to help the police tackle terrorism and save lives by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity.

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Parents' Resources - Educate Against Hate

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Messages of hate can take many forms. Extremist groups use them to recruit young people. Parents can find answers to common questions and resources to help protect your child below.

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We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.

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We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.

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Online life and offline life is just life

For many of us, we see our online lives and offline lives as different, but children are growing up with technology and the internet and for them there isn't a difference; online life and offline life is just life.

Technology can move at an extraordinarily fast pace and it can be difficult to know how to start talking to your child about what they're doing online, who they might be speaking to or discussing the potential risks and issues.

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Talking to your child about online safety

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Sometimes you might be worried about what your child's doing online or who they're speaking to, but not know how to talk to them about it. We've got advice to help.

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CEOP helps keep children and young people safe from sexual abuse and grooming online. We help thousands of children and young people every year, as well as their parents and carers who have been in a similar situation to you.

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Access information and resources for parents and carers on keeping your child safer online including conversation starters and video guides.

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Tips for Parents and Carers - UK Safer Internet Centre

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Online Safety Tips, Advice and Resources

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This service is one step you can take to help remove online nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos taken before you were 18.

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If you've experienced or witnessed harm online we can help. Report Harmful Content can help you to report harmful content online by providing up to date information on community standards and direct links to the correct reporting facilities across multiple platforms

Under 18?
Click here for child friendly advice Get advice on how to report abuse and harassment in sport
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Designed and Developed by South West Grid for Learning (https://swgfl.org.uk/)

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Report Harmful Content - We Help You Remove Content

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Helping anyone who comes across harmful content online

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It's okay to reach out for help. Your situation is unique and no parent has all the answers. We all need a little extra support sometimes, and we hear from parents and carers just like you all the time.

So, if you're worried about the mental health and wellbeing of a child or young person up to the age of 25, you can chat to us by phone, email or webchat.

Our Parents Helpline is also accessible for those who are hard of hearing or speak English as an additional language. If English is not your first or preferred language, we can arrange for a language translator to support you on a call with one of our helpline advisers. Or if you would like to use our webchat or email service, we offer a digital translation service.

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Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child

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Practical tips, advice and where you can get help if your child or teenager is struggling with their mood, feelings, or their behaviour seems different.

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Yormind shows what services there are for mental health for Young people in York. What they offer and how to potentially get support.

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Whether it's as a parent or guardian to a child or young person, or if someone you know is struggling, there are plenty of ways we can help others with their mental health.

You might worry that you do not know the best way to help or will say something wrong and make things worse. But the small things can make a big difference to someone.

We have loads of advice and things you can do to support those we care about, as well as plenty of places you can reach out to for further help.

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Whether it's as a parent or guardian to a child or young person, or if someone you know is struggling, there are plenty of ways we can help others with their mental health. You might worry that you do not know the best way to help or will say something wrong and make things worse.

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Advice and guidance for parents and carers to help them support a child or young person experiencing poor mental health or wellbeing.

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Need support now? Contact our support line or webchat. How Do I Best Support My Transgender Child? Knowing how to support and advocate for your child when they’ve come out as transgender can feel overwhelming. One of our mums, Sarah, shares her journey – from learning about the trans community to helping her child feel comfortable in school, at the doctor’s and on social media. Sarah’s story shows how important listening is when it comes to accepting your transgender child. Being patient, talking openly and checking in with them can help you to understand their needs at home and at school,…

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Transformation Partners in Health and Care

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This section of the toolkit include a range of advice for parents and carers children and young people on how to deal with situations and mental health concerns in relation to LGBTQ+.

LGBTQ+ resources for parents and carers

FFLAG are a national charity who are dedicated to supporting parents and their lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans children. As well as providing resources and information on their website, they also run a helpline (call 0845 652 0311 to speak to someone) and recommend books that can help parents and carers understand and properly support their LGBT+ child.

Stonewall have published a 'frequently asked by parents with LGBTQ+ children' section on their website. This includes answers with valuable information and it also signposts to services that are available for in your area for further support.

This article discusses what you can do to support your child when they come out. Although it can be a challenging time for a parent, this provides a few tips from one parent's experience including respect, communicating, research and more.

This page provides advice for parents whose child may be struggling with suicidal feelings, or if you're worried they might be, here are some ways you can support them and places you can get help.

Action for Trans Health are a national organisation who promote trans people's access to healthcare, from providing a list of trans-friendly GPs to campaigning for changes to the law.

Gendered Intelligence run projects for young people who identify as trans. Their Knowledge is Power resource is a great place to start educating yourself about trans people and trans issues. They also have information for parents and families, as well as for adults who work with young people (such as teachers and youth workers).

Barnardos support LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and those questioning their sexual or gender identity) children, young people and their families in the UK., bisexual and trans children. As well as providing resources and information on their website, they also run a helpline (call 0845 652 0311 to speak to someone) and recommend books that can help parents and carers understand and properly support their LGBT+ child.

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LGBTQ+ mental health resources for parents and carers - Transformation Partners in Health and Care

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This section of the toolkit include a range of advice for parents and carers children and young people on how to deal with situations and mental health concerns in relation to LGBTQ+. LGBTQ+ resources for parents and carers FFLAG FFLAG are a national charity who are dedicated to supporting parents and their lesbian, gay, bisexual [...]

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Gender Identity & Mental Health | Guide For Parents

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If your child is transgender or struggling with their gender identity, read our information and advice on supporting them and on where you can get help.

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Useful contacts - LGBTQIA+ mental health - Mind

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If you identify as LGBTQIA+ and have mental health problems, this page has information about organisations that can offer support.

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Welcome to The Proud Trust's resources for Trusted Adults of LGBT+ children and young people. If you are an LGBT+ young person looking for information or support, check out our pages for young people here!
Who is a 'Trusted Adult'?
The service has been developed and created for any adult who has a trusted relationship with a young person. This could be a parent or carer, a schoolteacher, sports coach, bus driver, hairdresser, shopkeeper or anyone who has regular interactions with a young person.

If you feel there is something specific to your role or interactions with children and young people that isn't covered in the resources, please do get in touch and let us know or use the web chat function to talk it through with one of our operators.

On these pages, you will find some helpful information which will hopefully help you in supporting the LGBT+ young people you are in contact with. These resources cover a range of different things such as exploring LGBT+ identities, LGBT+ inclusion and how to support young people coming out as LGBT+. You'll also find information and biographies of LGBT+ people within 'LGBT+ Icons'.

These pages are intended to give you a deeper understanding of LGBT+ identities and also provide information about how to support LGBT+ young people. We hope this will lead to more informed, open and supportive conversations with children and young people about LGBT+ identities.

If you are struggling to find something to help you on these pages, or need more support or guidance, you can also use Proud Connections Live Chat.
The live chat will be open 12 TOP TIP: pm - 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays
You are not alone - support is out there and that goes for you and the children and young people you interact with.

Questioning your sexuality or gender identity can be a lot to process for children and young people, it is also a lot to process as the Trusted Adult of an LGBT+ young person - so don't be afraid to seek support. Speak to us via the Proud Connections web chat or look up your local groups on the 'Groups' page of this site. There are people, groups and services out there to support you!

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Welcome to The Proud Trust's resources for Trusted Adults of LGBT+ children and young people. If you are an LGBT+ young person looking for information or support, check out our pages for young people here! Who is a 'Trusted Adult'? The service has been developed and created for any adult who has a trusted relationship with a young person.

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Support for Parents from Action For Children

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Help if you’re worried about your child and knife crime

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Most young people don’t want to carry a knife. But some may carry them because they’re afraid of others. Find out where to get help.

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NSPCC
www.nspcc.org.uk
Advice and help for parents or anyone worried or concerned about a child 0808 800 5000

Crimestoppers
www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Help, advice and a means to give information anonymously to the police- 0800 555 111.

Online Child Protection
www.ceop.police.uk
Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with a child online?

FamilyLine
www.family-action.org.uk
A helpline service run by Family Action that provides 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.

Jags Connect
jagsconnect.org
Jags Connect is an online self-help community for parents, carers and teachers affected by serious youth violence. We provide early interventions, consolidating resources and advice and support from a range of partners and community teams.

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Resources for parents | The Ben Kinsella Trust

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NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk Advice and help for parents or anyone worried or concerned about a child 0808 800 5000 Crimestoppers www.crimestoppers-uk.org Help, advice and a means to give information anonymously to the police- 0800 555 111. Online Child Protection www.ceop.police.uk Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with a child online?

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About Fearless

Fearless is the dedicated youth service of the independent charity Crimestoppers. We give young people the power to report crime 100% anonymously .

You can give information to us using our online form or by calling our freephone number, 0800 555 111.

We cannot track your IP address or your phone number. We have no way of knowing who has contacted us.

After receiving your completed form or your call, we create a report, ensuring it doesn't contain any info that could identify you, and your report is then sent on to the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate.

We are not the police. We are a charity. You will not be contacted by the police after passing information on to Fearless as the police have no way of knowing who the information has come from.

Want to know more? Have questions about how it all works? Check out our FAQs

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Fearless is the dedicated youth service of the independent charity Crimestoppers. We give young people the power to report crime 100% anonymously . You can give information to us using our online form or by calling our freephone number, 0800 555 111. We cannot track your IP address or your phone number.

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True Vision has been developed so that you can report hate crimes online - you do not have to visit a police station to report.

The police take hate crime very seriously and will record and investigate this offence even if you do not want to give your details. However, you must note that the investigation and ability to prosecute the offender(s) is severely limited if the police cannot contact you. Most importantly we can not get you the support you may need.

You may also specify how you want to be contacted and say if contacting you would cause you any difficulties. The police will not pass on your details without your consent and we would urge you to give your details when you report as this will help you get any support you deserve and improve our chances of identifying the offender.
Click here to report hate crime to the police
When not to use this form

Your online report will be forwarded immediately to the relevant police force for investigation, but it may not receive attention for several hours. For this reason you should never report online an incident where:

The offender is still present

You or anyone else is seriously hurt or in danger

You think the offender may return

In the above circumstances, we would urge you to call 999 and the police will respond immediately.

What Happens When I Report a Crime?

This site has been prepared with our partners who support victims. It has lots of information to let victims know about the support available and what happens after a crime is reported. Please explore the site or get in touch with us if you can't find what you need.

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True Vision has been developed so that you can report hate crimes online - you do not have to visit a police station to report. The police take hate crime very seriously and will record and investigate this offence even if you do not want to give your details.

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Parents' Resources - Educate Against Hate

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Messages of hate can take many forms. Extremist groups use them to recruit young people. Parents can find answers to common questions and resources to help protect your child below.

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Advice to help parents or concerned adults understand how to talk to children about race and racism, and what you can do to support a child who’s experiencing racial bullying.

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I’m a parent or carer - The Go-To | Mental Health in North Yorkshire

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If you’re a parent or carer, The Go-To has resources to help you support your child’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

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Parenting and Family Support - Family Lives (Parentline Plus) | Family Lives

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Parenting and family support from Family Lives (formerly Parentline Plus) through our website, helpline 0808 800 2222, email service at askus@familylives.org.uk, live chat and local services.

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Explore expert support and advice for every parenting challenge. Whether in calm or chaos, we guide parents and carers through the ups and downs.

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We can help you make sure your child gets the best start in life

As well as offering services which your child may be able to access in your local area, we also provide guidance and support online for parents, carers and families.

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Find out about the support, guidance and services we offer to parents, carers and families to ensure that every child grows up safe and loved.

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What is your concern?

This May Help has been created for parents and carers to help manage their child's mental health.

The subjects covered on this website have been chosen by parents and carers just like you, and in consultation with young people who have gone through their own mental health issues. What helped them may also help you.

On each page you'll find text for every topic along with more support films and links to other resources.

On the downloadable advice page you can download a printable version to use whenever you want.

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Advice for supporting your child's mental health | ThisMayHelp

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We are an initiative in partnership with the NHS to provide mental health support for parents of teens. Explore our videos for expert advice

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What is your concern?

This May Help has been created for parents and carers to help manage their child's mental health.

The subjects covered on this website have been chosen by parents and carers just like you, and in consultation with young people who have gone through their own mental health issues. What helped them may also help you.

On each page you'll find text for every topic along with more support films and links to other resources.

On the downloadable advice page you can download a printable version to use whenever you want.

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Advice for supporting your child's mental health | ThisMayHelp

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We are an initiative in partnership with the NHS to provide mental health support for parents of teens. Explore our videos for expert advice

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If you're worried about your child or finding things as a parent hard, you may find some of the resources below helpful.

Remember, you can always text 'Shout' to 85258 for support if you or your child is struggling. If someone's life is at imminent risk, call the emergency services on 999.

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If you're worried about your child or finding things as a parent hard, you may find some of the resources below helpful.

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If you're worried about your child or finding things as a parent hard, you may find some of the resources below helpful.

Remember, you can always text 'Shout' to 85258 for support if you or your child is struggling. If someone's life is at imminent risk, call the emergency services on 999.

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If you're worried about your child or finding things as a parent hard, you may find some of the resources below helpful.

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Local Area Coordinators – City of York Council

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If you need help due to old age, frailty, disability or mental health issues, our local area coordinators can support you to get help from local services within the community.

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Female genital mutilation is illegal. We’ve got advice to help you keep children and young people safe.

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We are here to listen and to help anyone who is affected by Honour Based Abuse. If you are in an emergency situation, please call 999.

We are here to help

Honour Based Abuse is a form of domestic abuse. It can come in many forms, and although it is a problem in certain communities, cultural traditions do not make it OK. Abuse is abuse. No one - not even your family - has the right to control you or to harm you emotionally or physically.

Many women are affected by Honour Based Abuse. You are not alone.

Help is available. Safe, confidential, free services exist for you. We support over 2,000 victims every year, many through our national Honour Based Abuse Helpline.

If you are at risk, or if you are concerned for someone who is, we are here to listen and to help.

Free / 0800 5999 247 / Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

I was so alone and frightened. I am eternally grateful to the helpline staff who listened and understood what I was going through. They helped me turn my life around and were there when no one else was.

Who do we help?

People call our Helpline for many different reasons.

Some are being pressured to get married

Some fear bringing shame on their families

Some have been emotionally manipulated or physically abused

Some are worried about being disowned

Some are trying to leave home

Some have been living in a forced marriage for years

Since 1993 we have helped thousands of girls, women and men across the UK. We tell them about services that are available. We help them find safe, temporary accommodation. We discuss ways to make them more safe and secure. And we advise on getting a divorce or an injunction.
We are here for everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality or faith.

Calling the helpline was an important part of my journey to freedom as it helped me to realise that the emotional abuse I was experiencing was *not* and *should not* be considered normal and acceptable purely on the basis that it was not physical.

How the Helpline works

When you call the Helpline, you will speak to someone who is trained and experienced. We understand the complexities around Honour Based Abuse and we will listen and offer emotional and practical support.

We do our best to answer all calls within 55 seconds. If we can't, you will go through to our voicemail service and we will call you back when it's safe to do so. If you leave a message, please tell us your name and number, and the safest time for us to call you back.

All calls to our Helpline are confidential. We never share information with anyone, other than in exceptional circumstances. For example, we may on occasion have a duty to notify appropriate authorities if we believe someone is at risk of serious harm or if we receive information that a child is being abused or neglected.

Calls are not recorded. We will be able to see your phone number, but you can withhold your number if you prefer. You can remain anonymous when you call our helpline.

If you are unable to call the helpline then you can email us and we will come back to you.

Called the Helpline? Complete our feedback form

Even during the pandemic the quality of support did not change.

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Contact the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) if you're trying to stop a forced marriage or you need help leaving a marriage you've been forced into.

Call 999 in an emergency.

A trained professional will give you free advice on what to do next.

They can also help you:

find a safe place to stay

stop a UK visa if you've been forced to sponsor someone

What forced marriage is

You have the right to choose who you marry, when you marry or if you marry at all.

Forced marriage is when you face physical pressure to marry (for example, threats, physical violence or sexual violence) or emotional and psychological pressure (for example, if you're made to feel like you're bringing shame on your family).

If you're under 18 any marriage is considered a forced marriage, even if there is no physical or emotional pressure involved.

Forced marriage offences

Forced marriage is illegal in England and Wales. This includes:

taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the forced marriage takes place)

arranging a marriage for someone who lacks mental capacity (whether they're pressured to or not)

arranging a marriage for someone before they turn 18

Forcing someone to marry can result in a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.

Forced marriage protection orders

You can ask the court for a forced marriage protection order.

Each order is unique, and is designed to protect you according to your individual circumstances. For example, the court may order someone to hand over your passport or reveal where you are.

In an emergency, an order can be made to protect you immediately.

Disobeying a forced marriage protection order can result in a sentence of up to 5 years in prison.

Forced marriage abroad

Contact the FMU if you think you're about to be taken abroad to get married against your will.

If someone you know is at risk

Contact the FMU if you know someone who's been taken abroad to be forced into marriage.

Give as many details as you can, for example:

where the person has gone

when they were due back

when you last heard from them

The FMU will contact the relevant embassy.

If they're a British national, the embassy will try to contact the person and help them get back to the UK if that's what they want.

Support for victims

Read the handbook about being a survivor of forced marriage. It has details of organisations that can give you help and advice.

Get support if you're a victim of forced marriage in Scotland.

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About Fearless

Fearless is the dedicated youth service of the independent charity Crimestoppers. We give young people the power to report crime 100% anonymously .

You can give information to us using our online form or by calling our freephone number, 0800 555 111.

We cannot track your IP address or your phone number. We have no way of knowing who has contacted us.

After receiving your completed form or your call, we create a report, ensuring it doesn't contain any info that could identify you, and your report is then sent on to the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate.

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Fearless is the dedicated youth service of the independent charity Crimestoppers. We give young people the power to report crime 100% anonymously . You can give information to us using our online form or by calling our freephone number, 0800 555 111. We cannot track your IP address or your phone number.

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Beat has published guidance encouraging healthcare providers to ensure better support for families of people with eating disorders, including by offering an assessment of their own mental health needs and offering access to peer-to-peer support programmes.

Caring for someone who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder can feel overwhelming and exhausting. Carers often report that supporting their loved one affects their own physical and mental health. It is therefore important that you have your own support network and positive coping mechanisms. Where possible, ensure you have time away from your loved one to do things you enjoy and gain support from others - carers sometimes say they feel this is selfish, but in fact it will strengthen you and help you get through the difficult times.

Every carer's experience of supporting their loved one is individual, as is the way they manage their own wellbeing. The following ideas have been suggested by other carers who have supported someone with an eating disorder:

Seek support for yourself, whether this is in the form of formal counselling, chats with friends, or contacting our helpline. Remember the saying "You can't pour from an empty cup" - you need to look after your own wellbeing and resources to best support your loved one.

Take time to manage your own expectations of recovery. It can be hard not to take it upon yourself to immediately "fix" the problem; however, while recovery is entirely possible, the path is often a slow one and not a straight line. The desire for a quick fix can become overwhelming, but it's also impossible. Accepting what is happening and recognising that some things are outside of your control will lessen the pressure you're placing on yourself.

Remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes; there will be times when you reflect that a situation could have been handled better, or you regret something that you have done or said. Rather than berating yourself for these, acknowledge them and learn from them - you are dealing with a very difficult situation and are doing your best.

Write a list of ways in which other people can help you - this may be practical day-to-day things, or direct help with supporting the person you're caring for. Writing a list allows you to ask for help with specific tasks based on the interests and capabilities of your own support network, or for them to choose which things they feel most equipped to help out with. Don't be afraid to ask for help, as most often people will want to support you.

Take time to reflect upon how you are feeling and your own emotions, as a way of understanding your own needs. It might be that you are struggling to enjoy things you used to, so this could be a sign that you should speak to your own GP about support they can offer.

Give yourself permission to meet your own needs. Think about what you enjoy or makes you feel better - perhaps a hobby, exercising, seeing friends or practicing mindfulness. You will be able to be more supportive of your loved one if you have had a chance to focus on your own wellbeing.

Break down the areas of stress in your life into chunks that feel more manageable. Rather than feeling like everything is overwhelming, are there aspects of the stressful situation that you are able to think of solutions for?

If you are concerned about, for example, an upcoming conversation with your loved one's clinician, write down a list of questions or concerns you have prior to the meeting. This will help you to feel more prepared for the conversation. It could also be helpful to let the other person know that you wish to talk to them prior to the discussion, so that you are not rushed.

Work on communicating constructively through the use of "I" statements, rather than "you" statements, which can feel accusatory and result in the other person being defensive.

Consider what will help you feel more grounded and aware of the present moment, rather than feeling like everything is spinning around in your head. Experiment with different grounding techniques. For example, having a small object available to touch, such as a stone or a crystal, can help remind some people that they are in the present. Breathing exercises, such as those found on YouTube videos or apps, can also be a useful resource to help people to let go of tensions and bring them back into the present moment.

Practice self-compassion. You did not ask to be in this situation nor are you to blame for it. Exercises to help you practice self-compassion can be found on the internet.

Financial Support

Citizens Advice Bureau and carer support networks can provide further information, and some will support you to apply for Carer's Allowance. If your loved one is a university student, then they can apply for Disabled Student's Allowances (DSAs) to see if they are eligible for financial support to help cover some of the extra costs due to the eating disorder.

Telling Others

Eating disorders, and mental illnesses in general, are often surrounded by stigma and misconceptions. This may make telling people that someone close to you is suffering more difficult. In some cases, you may not need to explain the exact nature of the illness to other people, especially if they are not likely to meet your loved one. However, when it is important to let people know about the eating disorder, the information on our website may help the person you're talking to understand more about eating disorders.

Once people are aware of the situation, you might find they have questions about your wellbeing and that of your loved one. If this becomes difficult for you or feels overwhelming, you could ask someone else to keep people updated; it is important to do what feels manageable to you. If there are people who want to help but whose close involvement is not appropriate, you could ask for their help with day-to-day tasks. This could also involve asking for help with a sibling or child or young person where applicable, for example, giving them a lift to a club they attend, or taking them to the cinema for some time away from home.

Supporting other dependents

As well as supporting your loved one with recovering from an eating disorder, it may be that you also have others who depend on you for your support. This might be a child, a relative, a friend or a partner for example. This can be extremely exhausting, and lead to people feeling like they are not doing a 'good enough' job. If you're feeling this way, it's important to recognise the huge challenge you are facing, and the hard work you are putting in.

Where possible, recognise that you're not alone. Ask for support and accept it if it's offered, so you can share the burden with others. If the person you are also supporting is a child, it could be helpful to speak to their school about what is going on for them at home and any extra support they may need.

Supporting siblings

Siblings who are not primarily responsible for their brother or sister's care can still play a role in their recovery. This may involve attending formal treatment sessions, or helping more generally, such as joining in an activity to support their sibling before or after mealtimes. Although siblings may want to be involved in this way, it is important to make it clear to them that they are not responsible for their loved one's treatment or recovery. It can also be helpful to make clear to the sibling that they can have space away from home if needed - such as spending an evening at a friend's house or going to see a film at the cinema.

Siblings can feel a range of confusing emotions about the eating disorder and the impact it has on the family. It's common to fear that their brother or sister will never recover and will die, so it is important to try to reassure them that recovery is possible, but sadly it is not a quick process. Reassure them that you are all working to support your loved one as best you can. Siblings can also report feeling guilty for living their life, but it's important to encourage them to keep having fun and seeing their friends; let them know that their sibling's recovery is not their responsibility. Often siblings can feel anger at the situation, which is something you may also have experienced. Try to help them direct this anger at the eating disorder, rather than their sibling, and reassure them that it is normal to feel this way.

Siblings often say that they would have appreciated having more information about the illness, so it can also be beneficial to ask them if they have any questions about what is going on and to let them know they can come to you if they do. It may be that it would be helpful to have a close friend or relative to talk to the sibling too, since they may wish to protect you and so not be open about how they are feeling or concerns they have. Beat's leaflet ' Caring for Someone with an Eating Disorder (for Under 18s) ' may be useful to show them.

Taking time out

If you're caring for someone full-time, it's vital to set aside time for yourself. This may be somewhere that friends and family can help. If you're sharing primary care responsibilities with someone else, you could take it in turns to have some time off. If there's no one around to take over your role, a carers' organisation such as the Carers Trust might be able to help. You can see their details below.

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Struggling with an eating disorder? Caring for someone who is? Beat is here to support you.

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What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can have a huge impact on someone's mental and physical health. They can affect anyone with any body shape or lifestyle - regardless of their gender, culture, age or ethnicity.

Lots of young people who develop an eating problem or disorder are also going through other mental health issues. This can include anxiety or stress, feeling low or depressed, or struggling with their self-esteem.

Young people can use their behaviour around food and eating to try to cope with these difficult thoughts, feelings and experiences. They might limit how much they eat, consume large quantities of food quickly, or use methods such as making themselves sick to get rid of food from their body.

While it can sometimes be hard to understand from the outside, doing these kinds of things might:

make someone feel they have a way of coping when things are difficult

make someone feel in control, or give them a way of reducing anxiety or panic when they're overwhelmed

numb or reduce uncomfortable or distressing feelings

Over time, these kinds of thoughts and behaviours around food might become very fixed and difficult to change - and may start to take over daily life. When this happens, it can have a hugely negative effect on a young person's social life and their relationships with friends and family. It can also lead to very serious physical health problems, and affect a young person's physical growth and development. In very serious cases, and without the right kind of support and treatment, eating disorders can cause death.

But if someone gets the right professional help, the eating disorder can be treated and they can get better. The earlier they get help, the easier this will be. There are lots of common stereotypes about what someone with an eating disorder will look like. As a parent or carer, it's important to understand that a young person's weight or appearance does not determine whether they have a problem. Whatever's going on, it's important to find help as soon as you notice behaviours around food that are concerning. The sooner they get support, the easier it will be for the young person to change their behaviour and find other ways of coping. Getting help early can also prevent physical health problems from developing.

Different types of eating disorders

Some eating problems develop or fit into a certain type of eating disorder. But if your child has an eating problem that's affecting their day-to-day life, they still need professional help to find out what's going on - even if you're not sure that they have an eating disorder.

There are some common eating disorder diagnoses.

People with anorexia generally try to keep their weight low by limiting how much food they eat or doing lots of exercise, or both. They may have "rules" about what they eat, or when and where they eat. And they may think they are bigger than they are, and feel very scared about gaining weight.

Some people with anorexia also try to 'get rid' of food from their body, for example by making themselves sick or using laxatives.
Without support, anorexia can lead to serious physical health problems - so it's important to get help as early as possible.

ARFID stands for 'avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder'. This used to be known as selective eating disorder.

People with ARFID avoid certain foods or types of food, restrict the amount of food they eat, or both. Unlike with anorexia, people with ARFID don't necessarily do this to lose weight.

Common reasons people with ARFID may limit their food intake include:

sensory sensitivity to the appearance, smell, texture, temperature or taste of certain foods

feeling scared about eating if they have had a frightening experience with choking or vomiting after eating

having a limited interest in food, including not realising when they feel hungry

People with bulimia "binge-eat" or over-eat, and then "purge" to get rid of the food. They might do this by making themselves sick, using laxatives or over-exercising. They may feel guilty about what they have eaten and want to remove the food from their body. Or, completing a cycle of bingeing and purging might feel like it's giving them a sense of control when things are difficult.

Bulimia can cause serious damage to someone's body, so it's important to get help as early as possible.

People with binge-eating disorder regularly eat large quantities of food in a short time. They feel like they are not in control of this, or that they are unable to stop. In a binge-eating episode, people may eat a lot faster than usual or eat when they're not hungry, and feel embarrassment or shame afterwards.

Unlike with bulimia, people with binge-eating disorder do not usually "purge" afterwards (try to get rid of food in their body).

OSFED stands for 'other specified feeding or eating disorder'. This is the diagnosis often given to someone if their symptoms do not fit with anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder. This is the most common eating disorder in the UK.

People with OSFED may experience a range of different symptoms. Some examples of what OSFED might look like include:

Atypical anorexia - where someone is experiencing all the symptoms of anorexia, but their weight remains in a "normal" range.

Lower frequency binge-eating disorder - where someone experiences the symptoms of binge eating disorder, but episodes of binge eating do not happen as often.

Lower frequency bulimia - where someone experiences the symptoms of bulimia, but the cycles of bingeing and purging do not happen as often.

Night eating syndrome - where someone eats a lot at night or after dinner, or wakes up in the night to eat.

Purging disorder - where someone purges, as with bulimia, but it is not part of a binge/purge cycle.

Pica involves experiencing cravings to consume things that are not for eating, or feeling like you cannot stop yourself from eating these things. This can include substances such as soap, chalk or dirt. Sometimes, the person may feel urges to consume substances that are dangerous, so it's important to get help as early as possible.

You can find out more about each of these conditions on the Beat website.

If you'd like to hear from other parents and carers who have supported their child with an eating disorder, and personal stories from those who have struggled with them, you might like to listen to this BBC podcast. Please keep in mind that this podcast discusses some very serious experiences - only listen if it's helpful for you, and at a time that's right for you.

Signs that your child might be developing an eating problem or disorder

Every child and young person will show, or not show, what's going on in different ways. The signs that they're struggling might also look different depending on what type of eating problem they have.

While it's not always easy to tell, some early signs that your child is developing an eating problem or disorder might include:

becoming more controlling or limiting about what, how much or when they eat - including avoiding eating with other people

obsessing about their body shape, having an inaccurate view of their body shape, or feeling afraid of putting on weight

leaving the table quickly after meals (for example to hide food or be sick)

exercising a lot, or much more than they used to

seeming different in themselves - including seeming more tired than usual, or finding it difficult to concentrate

wearing loose or baggy clothes to hide their weight loss

losing or gaining weight

As a parent or carer, it's not always easy to know what's going on - and a young person with an eating problem may try to hide what they're doing. But you know your child, and you know when something is wrong.

If you've noticed changes that are worrying you, the next steps are to open up a conversation with your child and to get professional advice. You don't need to wait for your child to lose or gain weight before getting professional help - ask for advice now.

Getting help and treatment

1. Making an appointment with a GP

If you're worried that your child is developing an unhealthy relationship with food, it's important to make an appointment with a GP. This is the first step to getting them the right help.

Make a list before the appointment of the concerning behaviours you have noticed. Or, if your child wants to go by themselves, encourage them to make a list of the things they're experiencing. The more honest and specific you can be, the easier it will be to get the right help.

Beat have a really useful resource on seeking GP treatment that you can both use to help you prepare for the appointment. They also have a binge-eating disorder leaflet you can take to the GP if your child is struggling with binge-eating problems.

People with eating disorders can find it hard to see they have a problem. Be clear about the fact that you're concerned and that you can see they need some help.

If your child will not go to an appointment at the moment, you can still speak to the GP yourself to get advice about what to do next.

For more advice, see our guide to getting help from the GP.

Getting support from the GP

Seeing your GP as quickly as possible, and asking for support for your child is essential. Early intervention is key to your child's recovery. If your GP does not take your concerns seriously, keep persisting in asking for a referral to an eating disorders team.

2. Getting a GP referral for specialist help

After talking to your child, the GP can make a referral for a specialist assessment. Depending on where you live and your child's age, this is usually done by one of the following services:

CAMHS, which is the NHS mental health service for children and young people

your local adult NHS mental health service

a specialist eating disorder unit

Professionals working in one of these teams will talk to your child to find out what the problem is. They will then decide what kind of treatment will help. While this is happening, the GP may also refer your child to a paediatrician for a physical health assessment.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidelines for NHS treatments. They very clearly recommend that GPs should make a referral for specialist assessments if there is any concern that a young person has an eating disorder. The NICE guidelines specifically state that they should not wait to see whether things get worse before doing this.

This is because getting early help can make a big difference - and because it's important to get help before an eating disorder starts to affect a young person's physical development.

If you do not think the GP is taking enough action, you can always ask the surgery to make you an appointment with a different doctor. You can also outline what the NICE guidelines say.

Depending on where you live, your child may be able to contact CAMHS or adult mental health services directly. You may also be able to refer them as their parent or carer. You can find this information online, or ask your GP surgery how things work in your area.

3. Receiving specialist treatment

The type of support and treatment your child has will depend on the type of eating disorder they have been diagnosed with. It may include:

family therapy

individual therapy developed specifically for eating disorders

group therapy developed specially for eating disorders

Your child's physical health may also be monitored during and after treatment.

Your child may receive treatment locally while they're at home. Or, if their symptoms are more serious, they may go into hospital to get treatment and support.

If you are worried about your child's physical health or they become very unwell, for example if they are experiencing chest pains or feeling faint, they need to see a doctor straightaway.

Take them straight to A&E or call 999 for an ambulance.

You can also call 111 if you're concerned but they do not need to be seen immediately.

If your child needs urgent mental health support, for example if you are worried that they are feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, you can find advice on our urgent help page.

Educate yourself around eating disorders, this will enable you to give your child the best possible support. Charities such as Beat offer peer support and online development for carers on similar journeys to those you are facing.

How can I support my child?

Getting professional advice as early as you can is one of the most important things you can do to support your child. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that need specialist treatment - and the earlier your child gets support, the easier it will be for them to change their thinking and behaviour.

Alongside getting professional help, there are also things you can do to support your child at home.

Beat have a really useful resource to help you start a conversation if you're worried about your child.

Young people who have been through this say it helps when parents:

show they are able to talk about it and do not shy away from the issue

remember that this might be a difficult conversation for their child to have

are open minded and focus on finding out what it's like for their child

avoid making assumptions about why their child is behaving in this way

address what they want to talk about directly and use 'I' statements - for example, you could say, 'I've noticed that ...', or 'I'm really concerned because ...', and then ask, 'can we have a chat about it?'

You can find some simple tips on things you can do to help your child to feel understood in our blog on how to really listen to your child.

It's completely understandable if things feel all-consuming at times. But try to keep your focus on the person your child is, rather than just seeing the eating disorder. Talk about other things and spend quality time together doing activities you both enjoy. Keep normal routines and family life going as much as possible. This might feel hard sometimes, but young people who have been through this say just how important it is.

Certain points of the day, such as meal times, might feel really challenging. This is understandable, but if things feel tense, it can be more anxiety-provoking for your child.

It can help to:

give yourself permission to step away for a moment if you feel yourself becoming stressed, and come back when you're calmer

think about activities you could do during meals, such as playing a game together or watching TV, which can help to take the pressure off everyone

avoid having serious conversations during mealtimes or other family activities, so that your child can enjoy the social time too

There are stories of recovery on social media that can be positive for young people to see. But some social media content promotes disordered eating and can be damaging for young people with eating problems. This is often called 'pro-anorexia' (or 'pro-ana') and 'pro-bulimia' (or 'pro-mia') content. Social media will also advertise things like weight loss programmes that can be harmful to see.

Talk to your child about what they're seeing online, and about how they can make sure it's having a positive influence on them. Your child can use our advice on creating a positive social media community in our young person's guide to social media and mental health. Or they could try finding an online community at Beat (their online chat spaces are fully moderated).

It's really important that young people feel able to socialise with friends and family. But it can be difficult when social events often revolve around food. Think together about events such as big family meals or trips with friends ahead of time.

Young people who have been through this say it can be helpful to:

decide what they are going to eat beforehand, for example if they are going to a restaurant with friends

plan in downtime around social events to help them cope with stress

have a back-up plan if things feel too difficult - for example, eating in a separate room just with you if eating with everyone together is too much

allow themselves to enjoy the event and socialise too, without the occasion being all about what they're eating

When things feel tough, remind yourself that your child is not choosing to do this and cannot simply decide to stop. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions and it does take time for things to get better. Try not to take their behaviour personally and remember to see yourselves as a team working together.

It is essential that the carer takes good care of their own mental health, and that other family members do too. Reach out to friends and family members who are willing to listen and to offer support.

Looking after yourself

This can be an incredibly tough, or in some cases traumatic, thing for parents and carers to go through. You may be feeling really worried about your child's mental and physical health. When the situation is very serious, some parents tell us they feel like they're firefighting all the time. This is exhausting, and can start to affect your wellbeing too.

Our tips can help you to look after yourself during this time as well your child.

Alongside looking after yourself, it's also important to think about how your other children might be affected by the situation. Remember to check-in with them about how they're doing, and to make space for quality time together.

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 may also find helpful...

This page was reviewed in June 2023. It was created with a parent or carer with lived experience of supporting their child or young person with an eating disorder. We will next review the page in 2026. 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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Eating Disorders and Problems | Parent Guide

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If you're worried your child has an eating disorder or problem, read our tips and advice on how to find professional help and how to support them at home.

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If your child has been diagnosed with an eating disorder, here's what you can do to help.

Talk to them about it

If your child becomes withdrawn, touchy or moody, it might make it difficult to talk to them. It may be even more difficult if they cannot accept they have a problem.

But talking about their condition is needed for their recovery, so keep trying.

They might come across as angry, even if they're really feeling scared or insecure.

It might be difficult for them to talk about their feelings, so be patient and listen to what they're trying to say.

It can help if you:

stay calm and prepare what you're going to say to them - do not blame or judge them, just focus on how they're feeling

avoid talking about their appearance, even if you're trying to say something nice

try to use sentences starting with "I", like, "I'm worried because you do not seem happy", rather than sentences beginning with "you"

avoid discussing people's diets or weight problems

try not to feel hurt if they do not open up straight away

do not be upset if they are being secretive, because this is part of their illness, not their relationship with you

Get advice on how to talk to your teenager

Try these mealtime tips

Mealtimes can be particularly difficult. You may find the following advice helpful:

if your child is in treatment, ask their treatment team for advice on how to cope with mealtimes

try to make meal plans with your child that you both agree to

agree with the family that none of you will talk about portion sizes, calories or anything else about the meal

avoid eating low-calorie or diet foods in front of them or having them in the house

try to keep things lighthearted and positive throughout the meal, even if you do not feel that way on the inside

if your child tries to get too involved in cooking the meal as a way of controlling it, gently ask them to set the table or wash up instead

try not to focus too much on them during mealtimes - enjoy your own meal and try to make conversation

a family activity after the meal, such as a game or watching TV, can help distract them from wanting to purge or overexercise

do not worry if a meal goes badly, and just move on

Support for your child

If your child is being treated for an eating disorder, their treatment team will play a big part in their recovery.

But do not underestimate the importance of your love and support.

It may help to:

learn as much as possible about eating disorders, so you understand what you're dealing with

keep telling them that you love them and will always be there for them

make them aware of the professional help available

suggest activities they could do that do not involve food, such as hobbies and spending time with friends

ask them what you can do to help

try to be honest about your own feelings, as this will encourage them to do the same

be a good role model by eating a balanced diet and doing a healthy amount of exercise

try to build their confidence, for example, praise them for being thoughtful or congratulate them on something they've done

Get support for yourself

Ask a GP or a health professional in your child's treatment team for advice on how to help at home.

It's important the whole family understands the situation and has support.

The following organisations offer advice online:

You can also ask your GP about support groups for parents caring for someone with an eating disorder.
Find services for people with eating disorders

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Find out what you can do to help if your child has been diagnosed with an eating disorder.

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Witnessing domestic abuse is witnessing child abuse. If you’re worried about a child, we have advice to help you keep them safe.

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Every two minutes someone turns to Refuge for support. Help keep our lifesaving services running such as our 44 refuges and 24/7 Helpline, to be a lifeline for women affected by domestic abuse.

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Refuge, the largest UK domestic abuse organisation for women

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Empowering women to live without violence & fear. Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation in the UK. Supporting thousands of women & their children overcome the physical, emotional, financial impacts of abuse.

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This factsheet explains what a non-molestation order is, how it can protect victims of domestic abuse, and how to apply for one.

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The Men's Advice Line is for male victims of domestic abuse. We offer confidential advice, non-judgmental support, practical information and help

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Supporting friends and family - SafeLives

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About Fearless

Fearless is the dedicated youth service of the independent charity Crimestoppers. We give young people the power to report crime 100% anonymously .

You can give information to us using our online form or by calling our freephone number, 0800 555 111.

We cannot track your IP address or your phone number. We have no way of knowing who has contacted us.

After receiving your completed form or your call, we create a report, ensuring it doesn't contain any info that could identify you, and your report is then sent on to the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate.

We are not the police. We are a charity. You will not be contacted by the police after passing information on to Fearless as the police have no way of knowing who the information has come from.

Want to know more? Have questions about how it all works? Check out our FAQs

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Fearless is the dedicated youth service of the independent charity Crimestoppers. We give young people the power to report crime 100% anonymously . You can give information to us using our online form or by calling our freephone number, 0800 555 111. We cannot track your IP address or your phone number.

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Parent Advice Line | Help your child with bullying

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Kidscape offers advice to parents, carers, family members, or professionals concerned about a child. Here’s how to help a child with bullying situations.

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Supporting children and young people - Cruse Bereavement Support

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Get help with supporting children and young people after a death. Find resources and learn how to refer children to our services.

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Bereavement support for children and young people

If you feel like the young bereaved person in your care is in need of additional support, a series of one-to-one sessions with a Winston's Wish Bereavement Support Worker could help. Together, they will openly and safely explore the young person's feelings and discover the coping mechanisms that will work for them moving forward.

We also recognise that connecting young people with one another has the power to transform a young person's perspective on grief. Our grief support groups offer young people the opportunity to meet others in similar circumstances, share experiences, reduce feelings of isolation and build connections.

In some cases, and at the discretion of Winston's Wish, group sessions with family members can be arranged to help you all move forward together.

Please note that one-to-one and group support is accessed by referral only. Young people aged 13 or over are encouraged to complete their own referral if appropriate, please feel free to help them with this. If you are submitting a referral on behalf of a young person, someone from Winston's Wish will assess the child or young person's individual circumstances to ensure they receive the right service for them. If it's decided this isn't the right service for them, a member of our team will guide you towards the most appropriate support.

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Help for parents and carers supporting grieving children

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If you're a parent or carer supporting a grieving child or young person, we're here to help with information, on-demand services, bereavement support and counselling.

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Bereavement support for children and young people

If you feel like the young bereaved person in your care is in need of additional support, a series of one-to-one sessions with a Winston's Wish Bereavement Support Worker could help. Together, they will openly and safely explore the young person's feelings and discover the coping mechanisms that will work for them moving forward.

We also recognise that connecting young people with one another has the power to transform a young person's perspective on grief. Our grief support groups offer young people the opportunity to meet others in similar circumstances, share experiences, reduce feelings of isolation and build connections.

In some cases, and at the discretion of Winston's Wish, group sessions with family members can be arranged to help you all move forward together.

Please note that one-to-one and group support is accessed by referral only. Young people aged 13 or over are encouraged to complete their own referral if appropriate, please feel free to help them with this. If you are submitting a referral on behalf of a young person, someone from Winston's Wish will assess the child or young person's individual circumstances to ensure they receive the right service for them. If it's decided this isn't the right service for them, a member of our team will guide you towards the most appropriate support.

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Help for parents and carers supporting grieving children

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If you're a parent or carer supporting a grieving child or young person, we're here to help with information, on-demand services, bereavement support and counselling.

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online support for bereaved children, young people and their families

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Here are some practical ideas & advice from other parents and young people about how you can support your child/young person after the death of a loved one:

When talking about death, be direct - Avoid the use of euphemisms for death and dying. These are often used to protect children/YP but instead can cause more harm and confusion, especially for younger children who may not understand that death is final. Euphemisms can be words such as: passed/slipped away, fell asleep and at peace now. It's important to use concrete words like died/dead. Explain that the person can't be cold or afraid of the dark etc.

Try to keep your child's/YP's routine as normal as possible - This will reduce feelings of anxiety.

Tell your child what to expect - This could include what to expect at the funeral or at a wake/funeral parlour. Answer any of their questions open and honestly, this will benefit them in years to come.

Be prepared for special days - Such as birthdays, Christmas & anniversaries of their loved one's death. Be aware that the lead up to these events can sometimes be harder than the actual day itself. Nothing spectacular needs to be planned, it is just about having the understanding that these special days can cause changes in feelings and behaviour.

Keep their school/college informed - This is important so that their school can be aware of possible time off. More importantly, so that they can understand behavioural changes and signs to look out for.

Give your child time to heal - Don't rush the grieving process, your child/YP will grieve at their own pace. Cruse support can help them to do this in a safe way.

Just listen - This can be so empowering for your child/YP. It is such a simple way to offer support but can be so comforting for you child/YP. For them to know that they have someone who will listen and give them space to vent when needed most.

Get practical support - 1 in 3 children will need professional support after a bereavement. At Cruse, we offer free face to face counselling sessions for both children & adults which last for 1 hour for around 6-8 weeks. Due to Covid-19, this support is currently being offered over the phone or through Zoom to children/YP. Please use the link below to locate your nearest Cruse office. For young people under 18, a parent or guardian will need to make a call to their nearest Cruse office on their behalf to have sessions commenced.

Don't avoid what has happened - Encourage their own expression of feelings. No two people will grieve in the same way, no matter what age/gender/race they are. It is important that your child/YP understands that this is ok, so they feel comfortable to express how they are feeling. Reassure them that the death of their loved one wasn't their fault. Be honest about the cause of death no matter how daunting this may seem. (see Winston's Wish "Beyond the Rough Rock" for guidance on dealing with suicide bereavement).

Remember together - Sharing feelings together is precious and healing. It reassures your child/YP that what they are feeling is totally normal and that they are not alone. Remembering together can be done in the form of making a scrapbook filled with memories. It can also be done by making a memory box to hold mementos in of the person who died.

Don't forget to look after yourself -The more you look after your own health & well-being, the more prepared you will be to look after your child/YP's. Be aware of your own grief & let them see your good and bad days, don't be afraid to cry with your child. Be honest about your personal feelings and your child/YP will be more likely to share their own.

Click here for Cruse Youth Forum Wisdom on how to support children and young people when you are lost for words.

If you would like to sign post young people to Hope Again, please click on 2 links and download the Hope Again posters- Poster 1, Poster 2

For more information about supporting bereaved children, click here.

If you would like to set up counselling sessions for your child/YP, you can find your nearest Cruse office here.

You can also call our freephone helpline on: 0808 808 1677.

Or, If you would like to get more personal advice, you can email our National Helpline on the following email: helpline@cruse.org.uk.

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How can I support my Child/YP? - Hope Again

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Here are some practical ideas & advice from other parents and young people about how you can support your child/young person after the death of a loved one: When talking about death, be direct - Avoid the use of euphemisms for death and dying.

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If you're worried that a child or young person is at risk or is being abused contact the children's social care team at their local council.

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