# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn more about children’s online safety. Advice and support to help you learn about staying safe online as a family.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team aim to help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse.

We do this through our education programme, providing training, resources and information to professionals working with children, young people and their families.

I am:

Respecting me, you, us: building healthy relationships and creating positive cultures is a CEOP Education resource for 12 -14 year olds developed in association with clinical psychologist, Dr. Elly Hanson.

Under 18 and worried about online sexual abuse?
To report, click to visit the CEOP Safety Centre.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The CEOP Education programme from the National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team aims to protect children and young people aged 4-18 from online child sexual abuse.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Designed and Developed by Will Earp, South West Grid for Learning Trust Ltd

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A resource that offers children, young people and parents advice and strategies to support the issues resulting from sexting incidents.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This page provides information on the law relating to child sexting or sharing indecent images or texts of children and contains advice on what to do if your child has been involved in sexting.

What is sexting?

Sexting is the sending or posting of naked or semi-naked images, videos, or live streams by young people under the age of 18. This could be via social media, gaming platforms, chat apps, or forums. It could also involve device sharing via services such as Apple's AirDrop, which works offline. The term 'nudes' is used because it is most commonly understood by young people and more accurately describes all types of image sharing incidents. Children and teenagers may use terms such as 'dick pics' or 'pics'.

The reasons for taking and sharing naked and semi-naked images, videos, and live streams are not always sexual or criminal. These images can be created and shared consensually by young people who are in relationships as well as those who are not. A young person in a consensual relationship may also be coerced into sharing an image with their partner. Incidents may also occur in the following locations:

children and young people find nudes and semi-nudes online and share them claiming to be from a peer

children and young people digitally manipulate an image of a young person into an existing nude online

images created or shared are used to abuse peers e.g. by selling images online or obtaining images to share more widely without consent to publicly shame

What does the law say?

In the UK the age of consent for sexual intercourse is 16. However, it is an offence to make, distribute, possess or show any indecent images of anyone aged under 18, even if the content was created with the consent of that young person. The law is contained in Section 1 Protection of Children Act 1978. 'Indecent' is not defined in legislation. When cases are prosecuted, the question of whether any photograph of a child is indecent is for a jury, magistrate or district judge to decide.

Indecent imagery does not always mean nudity; however, images are likely to be defined as such if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

nude or semi-nude sexual posing (e.g. displaying genitals and/or breasts or overtly sexual images of young people in their underwear)

someone nude or semi-nude touching themselves in a sexual way

any sexual activity involving a child

someone hurting someone else sexually

sexual activity that includes animals

The non-consensual sharing of private sexual images or videos with the intent to cause distress is also illegal. The relevant legislation is contained in section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.

Terms such as 'revenge porn' and 'upskirting' are also used to refer to specific incidents of nudes and semi-nudes being shared. However, these terms are more often used in the context of adult-to-adult non-consensual image sharing offences outlined in s.33-35 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 and s.67A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

What is the role of the Police?

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has made it clear that incidents involving sharing nudes and semi-nudes should have an immediate focus on safeguarding children. In many cases, education settings may respond to incidents without involving the police, for example where an incident can be defined as 'experimental' and there is no evidence abusive or aggravating elements. The police may, however, need to be involved in some cases to ensure thorough investigation, including the collection of all evidence (for example, through multi-agency checks). Even when the police are involved, a criminal justice response and formal sanction against a child or young person would only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

What can a school do if sexting has occurred?

When an incident involving nudes and semi-nudes comes to the attention of any member of staff in an education setting:

the incident should be referred to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) as soon as possible

the DSL (or equivalent) should hold an initial review meeting with appropriate staff. This may include the staff member(s) who heard the disclosure and the safeguarding or leadership team who deal with safeguarding concerns

there should be subsequent interviews with the children or young people involved (if appropriate)

parents and carers should be informed at an early stage and involved in the process in order to best support the child or young person unless there is good reason to believe that involving them would put the child or young person at risk of harm

a referral should be made to children's social care and/or the police immediately if there is a concern that a child or young person has been harmed or is at risk of immediate harm at any point in the process.

The initial review meeting should consider the initial evidence and aim to establish:

whether there is an immediate risk to any child or young person if a referral should be made to the police and/or children's social care

if it is necessary to view the image(s) in order to safeguard the child or young person - in most cases, images or videos should not be viewed

what further information is required to decide on the best response

whether the image(s) has been shared widely and via what services and/or platforms. This may be unknown

whether immediate action should be taken to delete or remove images or videos from devices or online services

any relevant facts about the children or young people involved which would influence risk assessment

if there is a need to contact another education, setting or individual

whether to contact parents or carers of the children or young people involved - in most cases they should be involved

The decision to respond to the incident without involving the police or children's social care should only be made in cases where the DSL (or equivalent) is confident that they have enough information to assess the risks to any child or young person involved and the risks can be managed within the education setting's pastoral support and disciplinary framework and, if appropriate, their local network of support.

The UK Council for Child Internet Safety has issued advice for schools on developing procedures for responding to sexting incidents which outlines the process in detail.

There is also departmental advice on Searching, Screening and Confiscation which states that schools have the power to search pupils for devices, search data on devices and delete any indecent images. For more information, see our page on School powers to search and screen pupils.

What should I do if my child has been involved in sexting?

If you find out that your child has been sexting, you can contact the Internet Watch Foundation, who can search for explicit images or videos of your child and remove them.

It would also be advisable to have an honest conversation with your child about the incident, to find out what led to it and how can it be avoided in the future.

Some of the reasons for sexting are:

peer pressure;

feeling pressured to sext as a way of proving their sexuality;

as a result of harassment, threats or blackmail;

seeking someone's approval;

long distance/ online relationships, where there is a desire to have a sexual relationship;

confidence in their looks, which they want to share with other people.

Tips for parents

Discuss with your child the consequences of sexting.

Monitor your child's online presence, especially social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Explain that the images can land in the wrong hands, and warn them against online predators.

Encourage your child to open up about receiving or sending provocative images without your supervision.

Remind you child that there are essential and personal information that they should never share online such as address, photos and video footage.

Set clear rules about what the can and cannot do with their electronic devices

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This page provides information on the law relating to child sexting or sharing indecent images or texts of children and contains advice on what to do if your child has been involved in sexting.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Advice for parents and carers to help keep children safe from bullying, wherever it happens.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Keeping your child safe from bullying online

Parents, you have a role to play. Remember, the police can often trace the perpetrators. You need to check that your child is safe and that they take care. Check their sites and monitor their browsing and mail content periodically. Sit down and talk to your child about his or her concerns.

Criminal Charges may be brought under The Harassment Act and other legislation that is there to protect you and your child. Talk to your family and those who you trust. A problem shared is a problem halved ! If you ever come across anything on the internet that makes you feel uncomfortable, no matter where it is, pleas e report it. Be Cyber-Savvy in all your on-line activities. Teach your children how to be Cyber-Savvy. Being Cyber-Savvy is the new "Don't talk to strangers"

Read this out to your child

Don't give your name, age, address or contact details to strangers over the internet even if they sound really friendly and you have spoken to them lots of times. If you have never met them, don't fall for their charm. A good person would never ask you to tell them personal information about yourself. If some over the internet or phone asks you for information, close the computer down or hang up the phone. Come and talk to me about it.

Don't tell people where you live or which school you go to. NEVER arrange to meet them. If a stranger asks you to meet them, see this as a warning sign and tell me or tell a grown up, a responsible person, about this. Confide in someone you trust. If you call a helpline, the volunteer might ask you some basic questions but that is OK provided you telephoned the helpline and they did not phone you.

Do not give any confidential information to someone who calls you. If you are worried or scared, hang up and come and talk to us. Tell your friends or tell us if you are worried about anything. We can help you. Also, change your log-in details regularly and change your passwords. When did you last change the password on your childs' mobile phone or computer. Who did you tell? The only two people you should share your password details with are your mum or dad.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bullying at school | Bullying advice for parents and children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bullying at school - Information and advice for parents dealing with bullying at school with practical solutions designed to help stop bullying

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out where to go for advice and support about bullying for parents/carers, young people, or those who work with young people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this video, I explore steps that you can take if your child is being bullied.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Slides and resources from a webinar which explored practical Ideas for sensory regulation in the classroom for children who are autistic, ADHD or who have other sensory differences.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Local groups in Scotland - The Scottish ADHD Coalition

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This map shows voluntary groups providing help and support with ADHD in Scotland. Use the + and - buttons to zoom in and out, and click on each point to

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We provide a wide range of flexible and innovative support services for children and adults across Scotland, each with a focus on improving quality of life. Central to this is recognising that each person has a unique set of needs. We create personalised support plans which are based on an individua…

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
School counselling: FAQs for parents/carers

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
School counselling: FAQs for young people

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Eden Court's Queer Youth Arts Collective is an online creative space for Highland-based LGBTI+ young people aged 13 to 18. We meet once a week on Zoom to come together as community, create, and connect. We aim to build a welcoming and inclusive space that queer and questioning young people and allies can make their own.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Looking for advice on how to sleep better? Tweak your routine and understand the science behind your sleep patterns.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sleep Action, formerly Sleep Scotland, is the UK’s oldest sleep charity. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive through healthy sleep.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Forth Valley Substance Service | Barnardo’s

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Forth Valley Substance Service provides support to young people aged between 12 – 18 years (or 25 if care experienced) who are going through a range of

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Heads Above The Waves is a not-for-profit organisation that raises awareness of depression and self-harm in young people. We promote positive, creative ways of dealing with the bad days.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
I am working with someone - Self-Harm Network Scotland Penumbra

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We're here to help you This section has been designed to provide helpful information for teachers, carers, professionals, and anyone else that's working with somebody who self-harms. We know that with good, compassionate support, there is real hope for people who self-harm. Accessing the right support at the right time is critical.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There are a number of organisations which may be able to offer you support if you have been touched personally by suicide, which are listed further down this page.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
General information is available from GOV.UK regarding what to do after a death.

Help Is At Hand is an NHS resource for people bereaved by suicide or apparent suicide. Help Is At Hand has also been produced by Public Health Wales and is available in English and Welsh versions.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service can offer practical and emotional support before and during a Coroners Inquest

Guide To Coroner Services (England & Wales) This booklet is for you if someone close to you has died and their death has been reported to the coroner. The law states that certain types of deaths have to be notified to a coroner. Many people find it helpful to have information in a written format as well as being given information face to face or over the phone. You may also find this information helpful if you are called as a witness at an inquest or are interested in the coronial process. This booklet is issued under section 42 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. It is guidance and does not cover every possible situation that may arise. Please be aware that in most legal situations a person who has died is referred to as the deceased. This convention has been used in this booklet. Coroners and their staff understand that the person who has died was a unique individual.
Coroner Investigations (A Short guide) THE SUICIDE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT PARTNERSHIP
PAPYRUS is part of the Suicide Bereavement Support Partnership.
Vision
Everyone bereaved or affected by suicide should be offered and receive timely and appropriate support.
Mission Statement
The Suicide Bereavement Support Partnership (SBSP) is the hub for those organisations and individuals working across the UK to support people, who have been bereaved by suicide.

"We believe that everyone bereaved or affected by suicide, of whatever age, should always be offered and receive timely and appropriate support and be able easily to access a choice of appropriate local and national information, guidance and support to enable them to manage the impact of the death on their lives."

All SBSP members are committed to making this a reality.
Aims
The members of SBSP aim to work collaboratively to:

ensure all those bereaved or affected by suicide are offered and receive timely and appropriate support

increase access to information about services and resources that are available

improve the range and quality of bereavement support after a death by suicide

reduce the incidence of suicide or attempted suicide in those who have been bereaved by suicide.

SBSP aims to achieve these aims through:

advocating for all those bereaved by suicide by influencing policy, increasing public understanding, striving to include bereavement by suicide in all bereavement pathways

signposting families, professionals and the public to appropriate sources of high quality bereavement support by developing mechanisms (website; online directories; email/text message; bereavement care pathways) for fast, simple access

supporting each other and other professionals to find and share the knowledge and resources they need to deliver high quality, accessible care to those bereaved by suicide by: sharing knowledge of members' services; national and regional meetings; newsletters

researching the impact of bereavement through suicide; working with researchers to develop an understanding of the incidence and the effects of bereavement by suicide; evaluating the outcomes of programmes of support for those bereaved through suicide; and developing care service standards for those bereaved by suicide

generating new ideas and approaches to improving care for those bereaved by suicide.

Organisations that can help

See also the Support After Suicide Partnership website,which offers a range of information for people who have been affected by a suicide. It highlights which services can offer support to people who have been bereaved by suicide as well as advice around some of the practical issues that arise.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) Support, information, help by email, support groups and a national helpline: 0300 111 5065, 9am-9pm Monday-Friday.

The Compassionate FriendsSupport for all families bereaved after the death of a child or children: 0345 123 2304, open 10am-4pm, 7pm-10pm daily.

If U Care Share Foundation Support for families affected by suicide. Based in Co Durham. Phone: 0191 387 5661

Cruse Bereavement Care Help for anyone experiencing bereavement to understand their grief and cope with their loss, with free and confidential support. Helpline: 0808 808 1677, open Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5pm, Weekends 10am - 2pm.

Widowed and Young (WAY) Social and support network for widowed men and women under 50.

Childhood Bereavement Network Database of information about sources of support for bereaved children.

Child bereavement UK Support and advice for bereaved families. Helpline 0800 02 888 40, open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm

Grief Encounter Mission: every bereaved child and their family in the UK get the best possible help, recognition and understanding following their loss. Monday-Friday 9 am-9pm Helpline: 0808 802 0111

Winston's Wish Practical support for bereaved children, young people and their families, publications. Helpline: 08088 020 021, open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.
OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Find a professionally qualified counsellor in your local area. Go to the 'Find a therapist' page. Phone 01455 883316

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) A charity which exists to prevent male suicide in the UK. National Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm - midnight)

Depression Alliance Information and support service for people affected by depression.

INQUEST Advice to bereaved families facing an inquest.

Maytree Respite Centre Short-term free accommodation and befriending for the suicidal in a confidential and supportive environment. Telephone: 020 7263 7070

Mind Support and information for anyone suffering from a mental health problem. Infoline: 0300 123 3393

Parent Lifeline Emotional support and advice to parents under stress of any kind. Helpline: 0114 272 6575, open 9am - 1pm, 7pm - 11pm, daily.

Rethink Mental Illness Rethink Advice and Information Service.Telephone: 0808 801 0525 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday except bank holidays)

Samaritans Confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Helpline: 116 123 , 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Saneline Practical information, crisis care and emotional support to anybody affected by mental health problems.

Shout a free, confidential, 24/7 text support line in the UK, offering texters immediate support with issues such as suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, abuse, self-harm, relationship problems and bullying. Text: 85258

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Suicide bereavement support | Papyrus UK | Suicide Prevention Charity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There are a number of organisations which may be able to offer you support if you have been touched personally by suicide, which are listed further down this page. HELPFUL RESOURCES General information is available from GOV.UK regarding what to do after a death.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Every year, Strathcarron provides care and support to over 1,400 people with a life-limiting illness or condition, at a time when both they and their family need it most. The Hospice philosophy is about living until you die and Strathcarron ensure people have every opportunity to achieve their goals right up until the last moment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Winston's Wish is the UK's childhood bereavement charity. We support children and their families after the death of someone important.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Everyone experiences bereavement at some stage in their life, whether it’s the death of a parent, a loved one, a friend or child. The experience often means that our lives will never be the same again. Sometimes the feelings - the despair, loneliness or even guilt - may overwhelm us, so much so that we need help. In time, and with support, we can work through such feelings and learn to live with our loss.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For Cammy, whom we miss every second of every day.

On 20th October 2019, our handsome, generous and gifted son and brother, Cameron, walked out of our lives forever. Cameron decided that this world was no longer a safe space for him. There was no history of psychological distress and he left no note to explain his decision - his death is a mystery to those who knew and loved him.

And so we are driven to create a world in which those who are suffering know that they are safe and are kept safe by the environment and communities where they find themselves.
What We Do

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Canmore Trust | Suicide Prevention Charity | Scotland

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We work with individuals, communities, practices, workplaces, schools, colleges and universities touched by suicide - suicide postvention.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Julia Samuel offers reassuring advice to those supporting bereaved loved ones. She emphasises the importance of being there, talking and listening as well as offering practical assistance. Although the pain of grief will not disappear, the right support can help the bereaved have time to grieve and help them on their journey to a new life

Fiona Murphy reminds those supporting bereaved loved ones of the importance of "being there". We must acknowledge how each person has to follow their own grief journey which cannot be fixed immediately. Friends and family need to guide and protect the bereaved person on that journey to allow them emerge on the other side

Child Bereavement UK - more videos to watch on Youtube

Child Bereavement UK - The importance of listening

I'm Fine, Thanks

A heart-wrenching journey of love, grief and redemption. Chris and Anne are enjoying a loving marriage in the prime of their lives when Anne is diagnosed with a rare and fatal genetic disease. For ten years, Chris and Anne endure this terrible secret alone.

After Anne's death, Chris, ravaged by crippling grief, realises that his survival depends upon him ridding himself of his stiff upper lip. He must learn to open his heart and cry.

Saved from the depths of misery by life-saving therapy, he discovers a life beyond despair, rekindles his lapsed faith and finds love again.

Out of the Darkness

Coping With and Recovering From the Death of a Child: Hope, Help, and Healing Resources for Bereaved Parents and Anyone Touched by the Loss of a Child

See you Soon:A Mother's Story of Drugs, Grief and Hope

Phillipa Skinner-This book is a honest and reflective account of a mother's story as she faces up to and lives through her son's death from a heroin overdose in 2007. Skinner is writing for those who are bereaved, those seeking to support people who are, and also, more specifically, for people affected by addiction - whether through a family member, friend or a personal struggle.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
For friends and family - The Good Grief Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to our page for supporting family and friends of those who are grieving. We have spoken to the bereaved for their guidance on what did and didn't help after the death of their loved one. Relatives and friends oftenRead more...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Exam season can be a challenging time for young people. Many feel stressed in the lead-up to their exams and worried in anticipation of their results.

As adults, it can be difficult to know what we can do to support children and young people during this time. We've created some tip sheets full of practical advice to help young people, schools and families manage stress during exam season.

News & blogs

BAFTA Roadshow with Place2Be arrives in the North East

BAFTA and Place2Be team up to bring the BAFTA Roadshow to Seaham and Sunderland.

Read more

Supporting the mental health of children and young people in Devon

After a generous funding offer, Place2Be have been able to extend our services in schools in North Devon.

Read more

BAFTA Roadshow with Place2Be arrives in Salford

BAFTA and Place2Be bring the roadshow to Lewis Street and Christ Church CE Primary Schools in Salford.

Read more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Navigating exam season resources - Place2Be

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Exam season can be a challenging time for young people. Many feel stressed in the lead-up to their exams and worried in anticipation of their results. As adults, it can be difficult to know what we can do to support children and young people during this time.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you're worried about how your child is coping with exams at school, here is our advice and information on where you can get help.

Get advice and updates directly to your inbox

Join our fight for children and young people's mental health. Sign up to the YoungMinds mailing list to receive our monthly e-newsletter, campaign updates, information about events and fundraising and other opportunities to get involved in our work.

Sign up to emails

Exams are a stressful time for any young person

Mood swings and outbursts are more likely to occur during this period. Look out for other signs that your child may be struggling, including poor sleep patterns or a change in appetite or behaviour.

It's worth preparing ways of supporting your child during exam weeks and thinking about how you will react and respond on the day if they don't get the result that they, or you, are hoping for.

Things that can help your child in the lead up to exams

Work with your child to find what revision style works for them.

Encourage your child to take revision breaks and find a balance between studying and doing things they find enjoyable and relaxing.

Make sure they are eating and drinking at regular intervals.

Encourage them to take some time after revising to wind down.

Reassure them - reinforce that you are and will be proud of them no matter what happens.

Remain positive and hopeful!

Plan a treat or an activity together to mark the end of the exams.

Set aside one to one time so that they can talk to you about any worries.

Let them know their feelings are valid and normal, but also offer support and solutions where possible.

Anxiety is often worst at night and this means it is useful to encourage a good bedtime routine.

Work with them to develop relaxation techniques.

If anxiety and stress start impacting their day-to-day life, seek help from your GP.

Helping your child to plan a realistic revision timetable, which breaks the days and subjects down into manageable chunks, will reduce their anxiety by increasing their sense of control and confidence.

How to help your child manage exam stress

How the school can support you

Speak to your child's teacher(s) to find out what revision techniques they recommend.

If your child is struggling with a specific subject, talk to the relevant teacher and explore whether they can provide additional help.

Find out if the school has learning mentors that can help with practical steps including revision timetables.

If your child has additional learning or developmental needs, speak to the school SENCO and establish what specialist provision they can put in place.

Exam Stress - Roundup | YoungMinds Parents Lounge

How to manage a 'disappointing' exam results day

If your child is unhappy with their exam results it can be tough to deal with. Here are some things that can help:

If your child is happy to show you their results statement, you might find it helpful to have a look, just in case they have misread or misunderstood, or overlooked something.

Accept their feelings, whatever they are - disappointment, anger, embarrassment, bravado. Their feelings are neither right nor wrong, they just are. Don't offer immediate judgement, or solutions, or even reassurance - there will be plenty of time for conversations later.

Reflect back how they are feeling to show you have understood, for example, "I can see you're disappointed with the Maths result."

Let them know you love them through highs and lows. Big hugs are good (although probably very embarrassing in public).

Show you're on their side - it could be something small like getting their favourite snack.

Give yourself some breathing space and time to reflect.

Ask the school to help your child explore any possible next steps, such as re-takes, re-marking or alternative courses.

If your child is disappointed with their results, they might also be embarrassed. Agree with your child how they want their results discussed with family and friends, if at all.

You might also find this helpful:

Where to get further help

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.

Help us improve our content

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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Exam Time & Exam Stress | Parents Guide To Support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Exams are a stressful time for any young person, if you're worried about how your child is coping read our tips and advice on how to help.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Beat provides Helplines offering support and information about eating disorders no matter where you are in your journey.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find information and advice about eating disorders.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
National charity helping people with Anxiety - Anxiety UK

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Become a Member of Anxiety UK. We pride ourselves on being user led, with many on our staff and volunteer team having personal experience of anxiety.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Coping With Life | Mental Health Advice | YoungMinds

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There are many experiences we have in life that can make it feel difficult to cope. We have tips and advice on where you can get help if you're struggling.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
For parents/carers of young people struggling with an eating disorder

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This package is currently designed for parents and carers of young people (aged up to 25) in Scotland who have As a parent or carer, the most important thing to remember is that your loved one having an eating disorder is recently received a diagnosis of an eating disorder and are about not your fault. It is no ones fault. to or have just started treatment.

This package is not designed to be an independent treatment model nor is it in place of professional advice. It is designed to complement existing evidence based treatments provided by specialist eating disorder services and provide additional support for you on your journey. Please consult your clinician if you have any concerns or need further advice.

Tweet us @CaredScotland

If you are concerned that someone you know has an eating disorder you can get advice on the NHS UK website or use the Feed Your Instinct website which can help you understand what may be going on for your loved one.
Alternatively, you can visit Beat, the UK's lead eating disorder charity's website for advice and information or use HelpFinder to find support and treatment in your area.

For use of the word 'parents' please understand that this word refers to parents, family members and carers. It makes for easier reading to just use the one word, however, so after the first mention, parents will be used on its own.

Clinicians are aware just how distressing it is for parents or carers to receive a diagnosis of an eating disorder for their loved one. For most parents, they are in a state of shock when they receive this news, and you are likely to be feeling the same. It is important that you give yourself some time to come to terms with the diagnosis, but equally, we know that having parents engaged and involved in the care of their loved one is invaluable. It is important for you to understand that the causes of eating disorders are complex. So if you can accept this, rather than holding on to a feeling of guilt that it has been caused by something you have done wrong or if there was something you could have done differently it will leave you free to focus on the future and how best to help your loved one from now on.

This resource has been created to give parents up-to-date knowledge about these illnesses, as well as providing opportunities for skills development. Parenting or caring for a loved one with an eating disorder is a demanding and frustrating task and places enormous strain on everyone in the family. Learning how to respond and support your loved one with effective strategies will give you the confidence and skills to encourage your loved one through this highly distressing time and to support recovery. Recovery times vary for every individual but this can be a long process. The more common recovery path for younger adolescents requires as long as five or more years to achieve. However, although it may take this long, it will get easier and gradually become less "all consuming" as it is right now. The main thing to bear in mind is that recovery is possible and we see this happening frequently. Parent and carer resilience are important in this process, as your expression of confidence and optimism in that recovery can play a significant part, which is why we hope that you will make good use of the resource we have created.

This package has been designed for parents and carers, with parents and cares and young people with lived experience of an eating disorder as well as clinicians, so that they have a deeper understanding of what is happening with their loved one, while they are being treated for their illness.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This package is currently designed for parents and carers of young people (aged up to 25) in Scotland who have As a parent or carer, the most important thing to remember is that your loved one having an eating disorder is recently received a diagnosis of an eating disorder and are about not your fault.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Support for Parents from Action For Children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
School refusal and emotionally based school avoidance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this guide, you’ll find information on possible reasons for school refusal and anxiety and how you can get your child the support they need.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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.

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

It's often difficult for your child to articulate the problem. They may be in a heightened state of stress and not know why or feel able to explain. Your child probably wants to feel able to be in school, just as much as you want them to be there. In many cases it just doesn't feel possible.

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.

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.

If your child isn't going to school at the moment, it might feel incredibly stressful and tiring. You might be worried about when 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. Things are probably feeling tough for your child too.

During this time, it's important to keep working with teachers and other staff to try strategies that can help your child get back to school. Keep encouraging them to take achievable steps towards attending too. When the right support is in place, it's often easier for a young person to get back into their usual routine if they can return to school as quickly as possible.

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. Find out how to do this further down the page.

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.

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.

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 support from mental health services.

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.

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.

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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
School Anxiety and Refusal | Parent Guide to Support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.body
Free online support platform for young people

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kooth - the mental health and wellbeing platform for young people

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kooth is a free safe and anonymous platform for young people to find all kinds of support for their mental health and emotional wellbeing. From text-chat with trained emotional wellbeing practitioners and counsellors to helpful activities, resources and a supportive community, there are lots of ways to access support.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We're the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and we're uniting the UK against suicide.

# data[].attributes.headline
Boys in Mind: Male mental health support

# data[].attributes.subject
Boys in Mind: Male mental health support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Boys in Mind - Helping to reduce mental health stigma among boys and young men

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We recognise that there are a growing number of girls and young women who are struggling with their mental health and our focus on boy's mental health is not intended to dismiss this very troubling trend.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Circle - Supporting families in Scotland

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Circle is a community-based charity dedicated to supporting children and families in Scotland delivering emotional and practical support.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to content

Close

Search

Be as specific as possible with the search terms you use

Empowering people affected by crime

Victim Support Scotland is here to help when you've been bereaved by a crime

Find support

Victim Support Scotland

An independent charity, we provide support and information to people affected by crime and campaign for victim and witness rights. Regardless of whether a crime has been reported or when it happened, our services are free, confidential and tailored to individuals' needs.

Our services are available to everyone, regardless of age, disability, sex, gender identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

Chat with us, powered byLiveChat

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skip to content Close Be as specific as possible with the search terms you use Empowering people affected by crime Victim Support Scotland is here to help when you've been bereaved by a crime Find support An independent charity, we provide support and information to people affected by crime and campaign for victim and witness rights.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Information & support

The whole spectrum of life is reflected in the calls we receive to Breathing Space. The sooner you talk to us the better you might feel. (Please note that Breathing Space is a service for people in Scotland)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Breathing Space is a free confidential service for people in Scotland. Open up when you're feeling down - phone 0800 83 85 87

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Information & support The whole spectrum of life is reflected in the calls we receive to Breathing Space. The sooner you talk to us the better you might feel. (Please note that Breathing Space is a service for people in Scotland)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Switchboard provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone,
by email and through Instant Messaging.
Find out more here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
24/7

You can text us any time, day or night.

Confidential

Your messages with us are confidential and anonymous.

Free

It is free to text Shout from all major mobile networks in the UK.

Get involved

Donations doubled in the Big Give Christmas Challenge

Simply support Shout's Big Give campaign by midday on 5 December, and your donation will be doubled!

Can you help us hit our match funding target of £50,000 and support a further 5,000 people this winter?

Find out more

Get help

Ways to cope with upsetting events in the news

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious or sad about what's going on in the news, know that you're definitely not alone. Here are some actions we can take to help us cope better through times like this.

Find out more

I think Shout saved my life tonight... no one has ever made me feel so safe, listened to and understood

Shout texter

GET HELP

Online resources and support

However you're feeling right now, you don't have to face it alone. We're here to support you with your mental health.

Take a look at our resources, information and support, find further help or reach out to one of our volunteers.

Resources for you

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Shout - UK's 24/7 Crisis Text Service for Mental Health Support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Shout 85258 is the UK's first 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis. Get free, confidential mental health support anytime, anywhere. Text 'SHOUT' to 85258.