# data[].attributes.headline
How to support your child's learning and wellbeing at home

# data[].attributes.subject
How to support your child's learning and wellbeing at home

# data[].attributes.headline
Primary School Parents' and Carers' E-leaflet - What will my child be learning about?

# data[].attributes.subject
Primary School Parents' and Carers' E-leaflet - What will my child be learning about?

# data[].attributes.body
For parents/carers to understand what children will learn about in secondary school as part of drugs and alcohol education.

# data[].attributes.headline
Secondary Schools Parents' and Carers' E-leaflet - What will my child be learning about?

# data[].attributes.subject
Secondary Schools Parents' and Carers' E-leaflet - What will my child be learning about?

# data[].attributes.body
For parents/carers to understand what children will learn about in secondary school as part of drugs and alcohol education.

# data[].attributes.body
Share on your school website, social media and print copies - Tips for communication and information on the facts about alcohol.

# data[].attributes.body
A guide for parents/carers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you're a family member and you're worried that a teenager is drinking or using drugs, it can be hard to know how to talk to them about it.

So we've created a guide to having 'the talk' the right way, without things getting confrontational.

Before the drug and alcohol talk

Reflect on how you're feeling. Before you even think about talking to your relative, take some time to reflect on how you're feeling and why. You might feel angry or disappointed with them, fearful, or like you've done something wrong. Taking some time to think about it and work through your feelings will make it easier to have a calm conversation with them.

Try to keep some perspective. Remember that it's common for teenagers to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Trying something in most cases doesn't turn into a long-term problem. There's usually an underlying reason which can often be a greater problem than the drugs or alcohol themselves.

Do your homework. Find out more about alcohol and drugs. Being able to show some knowledge and understanding can help get your teenager to be more receptive to your advice and support. See the resources at the bottom of this page for useful links.

Plan what you want to say. Spend some time thinking about what you want to say, how they might react and thinking of some approaches you can take. Your teenager might feel:

suspicious about why you want to talk to them

like you won't listen or understand

worried that you will lecture or judge them

guilty or ashamed

nervous about you invading their privacy.

Get advice from our online team right now
How to talk about drugs and alcohol

Try not to panic. Taking a calm approach will make it easier to communicate and for them to feel like they can open up to you.

Don't force it. Don't force them to have a discussion; being willing to back off shows respect and understanding.

Be open and honest. If you're open and honest, it's more likely that they'll be the same. Ask open questions. Listen more than you talk. Focus on the facts rather than your emotions. Don't use scare tactics.

Ask what's going on with them. Teenagers often use alcohol and drugs because they have other, less clear issues affecting their lives. For example physical and mental health problems, relationship issues, and in more extreme cases, exploitation. Trying to find out what else is going on in their lives and being patient and understanding will make it easier for them to open up.

Find out about their habits. If the talk is going well, you can try to find out what they're drinking or using, how often and who with. This will help you gain perspective on what you are dealing with and plan what to do next.

What to do next

Your next steps after the talk depend a lot on how it went. If you didn't find out much, keep the lines of communication open so they can talk to you when they're ready.

You can also encourage them to do some reading, learn more about what they're doing and how to stay safe. See the links at the bottom of this page for things to suggest.

If you're worried that they're at risk or unsafe, making changes alone can be hard. We're here to help. Use our service finder to find your local service, then give us a call to discuss your options.

Take care of yourself too. Supporting someone who uses drugs and/or alcohol can put families under huge strain. Looking after yourself will mean you can be more resilient and do more to support them.

Useful sites

The Mix
Support for under 25s on all issues important to young people, including relationships, your body, money, crime, study and lifestyle.

Mind hub
Information on emotional health and wellbeing, created by young people for young people.

The Drugs Wheel
A model to help you understand more about different kinds of drugs.

Talk to Frank
Honest information about drugs, the effects and risks.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Talking to a young person about drugs and alcohol

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As a parent or carer it can be hard to talk to your teenager about drugs and alcohol. So we've created a guide for having 'the talk' the right way.

# data[].attributes.body
'What is Relationship, Sex & Health Education?'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These videos are for schools to engage with parents/carers about the new RSE & RSHE guidance. The videos aim to outline what the guidance will look like in s...

# data[].attributes.headline
A guide for parents and carers educating children at home

# data[].attributes.subject
A guide for parents and carers educating children at home

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Guide for parents and carers educating children at home

# data[].attributes.headline
Relationship & Sex Education: Parent FAQs

# data[].attributes.subject
Relationship & Sex Education: Parent FAQs

# data[].attributes.body
A parent guide to the new statutory RSE guidance

# data[].attributes.body
Guidance about being safe in Autumn around candles, fireworks and celebrations

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) resources, activities and support to help parents support their family.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We’d also like to set optional analytics to help us improve it. We won’t set optional cookies unless you enable them. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences.

# data[].attributes.headline
For teachers to support parents and carers

# data[].attributes.subject
For teachers to support parents and carers

# data[].attributes.body
Advice for teachers and educators on supporting parents and carers with the mental wellbeing of their children at this potentially challenging time.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
5. Signpost parents and carers to further support at Every Mind Matters

Every Mind Matters provides additional help to parents and carers supporting young people's mental health and is approved by the NHS. Use the following text in a school newsletter or on the school website to support parents and carers to talk to young people about their mental health:

Every child and young person will have had a different experience as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. For some, the impact of the outbreak may still be causing feelings of anxiety, stress, worry, sadness, boredom, loneliness or frustration.

For tips and advice on supporting the mental health during this time of your child or a child you care for, and ideas on looking after your own mental wellbeing, search "Every Mind Matters".

For further information on how parents and carers can support their children at this time, visit Every Mind Matters.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental wellbeing | Top tips | PHE School Zone

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Every Mind Matters provides additional help to parents and carers supporting young people's mental health and is approved by the NHS. Use the following text in a school newsletter or on the school website to support parents and carers to talk to young people about their mental health: Every child and young person will have had a different experience as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

# data[].attributes.body
A career toolkit for parents and carers

# data[].attributes.headline
Looking after a child or young person's mental health

# data[].attributes.subject
Looking after a child or young person's mental health

# data[].attributes.body
There are times when we all feel the strain. As parents and carers, there are ways we can support children and young people to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Feeling stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep? Every Mind Matters and One You can help with expert advice and practical tips. Start the fightback to a healthier you today.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mental health & emotional wellbeing — home learning lessons

# data[].attributes.subject
Mental health & emotional wellbeing — home learning lessons

# data[].attributes.body
Please read the guide on the left first.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental health & emotional wellbeing - home learning lessons | PSHE Association

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NEW primary and secondary home learning lesson packs exploring different strategies pupils can use to help them manage their mental health and emotional wellbeing during this challenging period. The primary lessons help pupils to develop their understanding of different feelings and to reflect on how they can support their own and others' mental health.

# data[].attributes.body
For parent and child to complete together.

# data[].attributes.body
For parent and child to complete together.

# data[].attributes.body
For parent and child to complete together.

# data[].attributes.body
For parent and child to complete together.

# data[].attributes.headline
Charlie Waller Parental Guidance - Supporting a child with anxiety

# data[].attributes.subject
Charlie Waller Parental Guidance - Supporting a child with anxiety

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Charlie Waller Parental support - Supporting a child with anxiety

# data[].attributes.headline
Charlie Waller Parental Guidance - Supporting children who are self-harming 

# data[].attributes.subject
Charlie Waller Parental Guidance - Supporting children who are self-harming 

# data[].attributes.headline
Parental Support Managing screen time - Key Stage 1

# data[].attributes.subject
Parental Support Managing screen time - Key Stage 1

# data[].attributes.headline
Parental Support Managing screen time - Key Stage 2

# data[].attributes.subject
Parental Support Managing screen time - Key Stage 2

# data[].attributes.body
Helping your child adapt to changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

# data[].attributes.headline
Parental Support Managing screen time - Teenagers

# data[].attributes.subject
Parental Support Managing screen time - Teenagers

# data[].attributes.headline
Top tips to build your child's wellbeing! (Primary)

# data[].attributes.subject
Top tips to build your child's wellbeing! (Primary)

# data[].attributes.headline
Top tips to build your child's wellbeing! (Secondary)

# data[].attributes.subject
Top tips to build your child's wellbeing! (Secondary)

# data[].attributes.body
Support for parents!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Parenting with mental health problems

Parenting comes with lots of challenges, which can be even more difficult if you're dealing with mental health problems.

Not all children who live with someone with mental health problems will experience abuse or be affected negatively. In fact, many parents are able to give children safe and loving care.

But sometimes it does affect their ability to cope with family life. So it's important that parents and carers can find support when they need it.

What are mental health problems?

When we talk about mental health problems we mean conditions like:

anxiety disorders

bipolar disorder

depression

obsessive-compulsive disorder

personality disorders

post-traumatic stress disorder

schizophrenia.

This is not a complete list. There are many types of mental health problems, and if yours isn't listed, we're still here to support you.

How can mental health problems affect parenting?

Sometimes these conditions can affect a parent's ability to provide the care that children need. Parents or carers may:

have mood swings

find it difficult to recognise their children's needs

or struggle with keeping routines such as mealtimes, bedtimes and taking their children to school.

If you, or someone you know is struggling, there's support available.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Help and advice for parents and families living with mental health problems.

# data[].attributes.headline
How to build your child's confidence and resilience?

# data[].attributes.subject
How to build your child's confidence and resilience?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
"oxford owl" phonics "learning to read" "parent help" "primary maths" "how to maths" "grammar help" stories

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Oxford Owl, created by Oxford University Press, provides advice for parents who want to support their children through primary school. https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/ The site features expert tips on helping your child develop the key skills that will give them the best possible start, and help them approach learning with confidence and enthusiasm.

# data[].attributes.headline
What to do if you are worried about your child's mental health?

# data[].attributes.subject
What to do if you are worried about your child's mental health?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Growing up is hard, (and not just for the parents!) as children develop new and intense feelings they have never experienced before such as anger, embarrassment, and worry. At the same time, they may be struggling at school with their learning and making friends while also being exposed to an online world where they are bombarded with images of physical perfection.

If you suspect your child is worried about school or struggling with their feelings, then the first step is to talk to them in a safe and secure environment about exactly how they feel.

Try to:

Make sure you set aside time to talk so there aren't any distractions or time pressures.

Have realistic expectations about the conversation. It might not go as well as you're hoping, but give it time. Your child might not be ready to talk straight away but could re-start the conversation with you a few days later.

Reassure your child that you are always there for them and they can always talk to you. Then, if anything does upset or happen to them in the future, they will feel more comfortable about coming to you and talking about their problems.

If they are reluctant to open up you can direct them to Childline, which is available around the clock.

As a parent, you can't always protect your children from stress and feelings of anxiety - but you can help them develop healthy ways to cope with it. Here are a few suggestions:

Exercise

Find a hobby

Talk to friends or family

Help someone else

Eat good food

Try something new

As children's moods are prone to changing quickly - one day they may feel worried and anxious where the next they are full of confidence - it can be difficult for parents to work out whether their child's change in emotions is a normal part of growing up or if it's something more serious.

All children are different but some of the common signs of mental health problems in children include:

becoming withdrawn from friends and family

persistent low mood and unhappiness

tearfulness and irritability

worries that stop them from carrying out day-to-day tasks

sudden outbursts of anger directed at themselves or others

loss of interest in activities that they used to enjoy

problems eating or sleeping.

If you conclude that the problem requires medical support you should take your child to the family GP who will decide if and what professional treatment is required. If your child is having problems at school, a teacher, school nurse, school counsellor or educational psychologist may be able to help. These professionals will also be able to refer a child to receive further assessment and treatment from local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
If you're worried about a child's mental health, even if you're unsure, contact our professional NSPCC counsellors 24/7 for help, advice and support. Call us on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]
Children and young people who wish to talk to Childline about anything that is concerning them can do so in confidence online, on the phone, anytime at: www.childline.org.uk or 0800 1111.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What to do if you're worried about your child's mental health - Oxford Owl for Home

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Growing up is hard, (and not just for the parents!) as children develop new and intense feelings they have never experienced before such as anger, embarrassment, and worry. At the same time, they may be struggling at school with their learning and making friends while also being exposed to an online world where they are bombarded with images of physical perfection.

# data[].attributes.headline
Tools for schools to help support home learning and maximise the impact of work set.

# data[].attributes.subject
Tools for schools to help support home learning and maximise the impact of work set.

# data[].attributes.body
Wellbeing support for parents/carers/staff

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Adult Wellbeing Resource - Gateshead Psychological Service.pdf

# data[].attributes.body
Working with families facing challenges | Common Mental Health Difficulties Early Years | Anna Freud Centre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Our use of cookies

We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set optional analytics to help us improve it. We won't set optional cookies unless you enable them. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, see our Cookies page

Necessary cookies

Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

Analytics cookies

We'd like to set non-essential cookies, such as Google Analytics, to help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone. For more information on how these cookies work, please see our Cookies page. If you are 16 or under, please ask a parent or carer for consent before accepting.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Working with families facing challenges | Common Mental Health Difficulties Early Years | Anna Freud Centre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set optional analytics to help us improve it. We won't set optional cookies unless you enable them. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences.

# data[].attributes.body
Poster Template for Anti Bullying Week 2021

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Top tips, expert advice and fun activities to help you support your child's wellbeing and learning in a changing world. Parents, we've got you.