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Winter is a challenging time of year for many and it is important that we all know how to access the right services for our needs.

Keep Warm

You also have the option of visiting one of your local Warm Welcome Spaces. They offer a warm and friendly welcome to their local community, offering everyone a space to connect and make new friends. These spaces are at churches, schools, local businesses, community centres, community cafes, and libraries. You can find your nearest at www.warmwelcome.uk or from your local council.

Plan ahead and think pharmacy

Use 111 online

If you do need medical help use 111 online . You can check your symptoms and it will help guide you to the right care first time.

Download Healthier Together

Find out more and download the Healthier Together app at: Home :: Healthier Together (what0-18.nhs.uk)

Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations

For some, flu and COVID-19 are unpleasant. But for many, particularly those with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women, they can be very dangerous and even life-threatening. Every winter, thousands die from flu and people can still get very ill or die from COVID-19. Catching both viruses over winter increases the risk of serious illness even further.

Vaccines are our best protection against flu and COVID-19. Over the last few years they have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives. In winter, flu and COVID-19 spread more easily as we spend more time indoors. Getting these vaccines ahead of winter are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe and 'get winter strong'.

You can call the Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID helpline for any COVID vaccination-related enquiry. The number is 0300 561 0018 and is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 1pm.

Flu and COVID-19 frequently asked questions

What is Influenza (flu)?
Flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect the windpipe and lungs which are part of the respiratory system. There are several symptoms of flu including a sudden high temperature, an aching body and a dry cough. A full list of symptoms is available on the NHS website. It often gets better on its own but can lead to serious illness. It is important to get the flu vaccine ahead of winter if you are eligible to protect yourself.

What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is an infectious disease that is caused by a particular type of coronavirus that infects the windpipe and lungs which are part of the respiratory system. There are a range of symptoms of COVID-19 including a new continuous cough, shortness of breath and an aching body. The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses including flu and a full list of symptoms is available on the NHS website. COVID-19 often gets better on its own but can lead to serious illness. It is important to get the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of winter if you are eligible to protect yourself.

How do I stop flu and COVID-19 spreading?
Flu and COVID-19 are both very infectious, spread by germs from coughs and sneezes. COVID-19 can be spread very easily through close contact with people who have the virus, for example via breathing and speaking. Flu and COVID-19 spread by person to person via small droplets containing the virus being released from an infected person and then picked up by another person by breathing these droplets in or touching surfaces covered in them.

The best way to avoid catching and spreading flu and COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated ahead of winter. You can help prevent the spread by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and encourage children to do so, washing your hands frequently or using hand gels and cleaning surfaces you use regularly to reduce the risk of picking up the viruses.

What should I do if I think I have flu or COVID-19?
The best way to avoid catching and spreading flu and COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated.

If you think that you have flu or COVID-19 you should:
* try to stay at home
* rest and sleep
* keep warm
* take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
* drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow and clear)

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you should try and stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

A pharmacist can give treatment advice. Please check on NHS.UK for further advice on how to look after yourself at home.

You may be at increased risk of getting seriously ill from flu and COVID-19, for example if you're pregnant, aged 65 and over, have certain health conditions or a weakened immune system. If you are in one of these categories and are showing symptoms, if your symptoms are getting worse or you don't think that you can look after yourself at home, ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111.

You should call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child experience sudden chest pain, become very breathless, develop a rash, start coughing up blood or if your symptoms are making you very unwell.

Can I have the vaccine if I feel unwell?
If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. You should not attend an appointment if you have a fever or think you might be infectious to others.

Should I get the vaccines if I think I have already had flu or COVID-19?
If you think you've already had flu or COVID-19, once you've recovered you should still get the vaccines as they will still help protect you.

Is there anyone that shouldn't get the vaccines?
Almost everybody can have the vaccines, but you should not be vaccinated if you have ever had a serious allergy (eg. anaphylaxis) to any of the flu or COVID-19 vaccines, or any of their ingredients - you should discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are allergic to eggs you may not be able to have certain types of flu vaccine - check with your immuniser. If you have a fever, the vaccination may be delayed until you are better.

I've only just had my first or second COVID-19 vaccine, can I have the autumn booster jab?
No, the JCVI advises that the booster vaccine should be offered no earlier than three months after completion of the primary vaccine course.

I haven't yet had the COVID-19 vaccination, can I still get my first jabs?
Since the end of the spring 2023 COVID-19 campaign, the primary course of COVID-19 vaccine became a targeted offer to those at higher risk and only during seasonal campaigns. This means during this autumn winter programme, those eligible for the primary course COVID-19 vaccination will be the same as those eligible for the seasonal vaccine.

The main exception to this would be unvaccinated individuals aged five years and above who become or have recently become severely immunosuppressed. These individuals should be considered for primary vaccination, regardless of the time of year. Clinical judgement should be used to decide on the best timing to commence vaccination
Do I need to receive the same type of vaccine or booster as my previous ones?
No, all COVID-19 vaccines authorised for use by the NHS are effective and provide a strong booster response. When you attend your appointment, the NHS will offer you a safe, effective vaccine.

What type of flu vaccine will I be given?
For adults, there are several types of flu vaccine depending upon your age.
* adults are offered an injectable vaccine. There are different types, including low-egg and egg-free ones
* adults aged 65 years and over - the most common flu vaccine contains an extra ingredient to help your immune system make a stronger response to the vaccine

Most children over the age of 2 are offered a nasal spray vaccine - this is given as a quick and painless spray up the nose. Those aged under 2 and a small number of children due to pre-existing medical conditions or treatments cannot have the nasal spray and are offered protection through an injected vaccine instead.

What type of COVID-19 vaccine will I be given?
There are several different COVID-19 vaccines in use in the UK. They have all met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. Most people can have any of the COVID-19 vaccines and will be offered a vaccine that gives protection from more than one type of COVID-19. You cannot choose which vaccine you have.

Some people are only offered certain vaccines, for example:

* if you're pregnant
* if you're under 18 years old
* if you're 75 years old or over
* in very rare cases if you've had a severe allergic reaction to one of the common vaccines you may be referred to a specialist clinic for an alternative COVID-19 vaccine

Who is eligible for the flu vaccination

The flu vaccine is offered to people most at risk of getting seriously ill from flu or who are most likely to pass flu to other people at risk. The following people are eligible for the free flu vaccine this season:
* all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
* all school aged children (from Reception to Year 11)
* those aged 6 months of age upwards in a clinical risk group ( as set out in the Green Book)
* people that are pregnant
* those aged 65 years and over
* those in long-stay residential care homes
* carers in receipt of a carer's allowance, or who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
* those that live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone living with HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
* frontline workers in a social care setting that do not have access to occupational health

Which health conditions make me eligible for a flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is offered to anyone with a serious health condition, including:
* respiratory conditions, ie asthma, chronic pulmonary disease, including emphysema and bronchitis, cystic fibrosis
* diabetes
* heart conditions such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
* being very overweight - a BMI of 40 or above
* chronic kidney disease
* liver disease, such as hepatitis
* neurological conditions, ie Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
* a learning disability
* problems with your spleen, eg sickle cell
* a weakened immune system as the result of conditions ie HIV and AIDs or taking steroids or chemotherapy

A full list of clinical risk groups is included in Chapter 19 of the Green Book. If you have a condition that is not included in the list, you can speak to your GP who can offer a flu vaccine if they think you are at risk of serious complications from catching flu.

Who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination

Seasonal COVID-19 vaccines are offered to those at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 - this may be due to a health condition or age. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended the following groups should be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine this autumn/winter:
* residents and staff in a care home for older adults
* people that are pregnant
* all adults aged 65 years and over
* frontline health and social care workers
* persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green book
* persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts, as defined in the Green book, of people with immunosuppression
* persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers, as defined in the Green book

Which health conditions make me eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination?
The COVID-19 vaccine is offered to those with a serious health condition. Those that can get the COVID-19 vaccine due to a health condition are broadly similar to those that can get a flu vaccine including:

* respiratory conditions, ie poorly controlled asthma, chronic pulmonary disease, including emphysema and bronchitis, cystic fibrosis
* diabetes
* heart conditions such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
* being very overweight - a BMI of 40 or above
* chronic kidney disease
* liver disease, such as hepatitis
* neurological conditions, ie Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
* a learning disability
* those with a severe mental illness
* problems with your spleen, eg sickle cell
* a weakened immune system as the result of conditions ie HIV and AIDs or taking steroids or chemotherapy

A full list of clinical risk groups is included in tables 3 and 4 in Chapter 14a of the Green Book.

Information about vaccine safety

Why should I get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines?

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines have good safety records and are an effective way to protect yourself from the Flu and COVID-19 viruses.

While flu and COVID-19 can be unpleasant, for some it can be very dangerous and even life threatening, particularly people with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women. For them, it can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia or can make existing conditions worse. Every winter, thousands die from flu and people can still get very ill or die from COVID-19.

Children aged under 5 have one of the highest hospitalisation rates for flu. Last year more than 6,000 under 5s in England were hospitalised by flu, and many more needed care in accident and emergency. The vaccine reduces a child's chance of needing hospital care for flu by around two thirds.

Having your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations will reduce your risk of serious illness and help you recover more quickly if you catch the viruses. The vaccines have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives and they give you better protection than any immunity gained from previous infections. They also help protect your family and other people in your community, by helping to stop diseases spreading.

In winter, flu and COVID-19 spread more easily as we spend more time indoors. Getting these vaccines ahead of winter are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe and 'get winter strong'.

Are the vaccines safe?
The flu and COVID-19 vaccines have a good safety record, and their side effects are generally mild and do not last for more than a few days. Your safety will always come first and there are rigorous safety standards that have to be met through the approval process.

As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the official UK regulator is globally recognised for requiring the highest standards of safety, quality and effectiveness for medicines and vaccines. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process. Each of the vaccines are tested on tens of thousands of people across the world. They are tested on both men and women, on people from different ethnic backgrounds, and of all age groups.

Like any other vaccine or medicine, the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are being continuously monitored for safety - the effected benefits of the vaccines far outweigh risk in the majority of patients. You and your healthcare professional can report any suspected side effects through the tried and trusted Yellow Card Scheme.

How do vaccines work?
Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. It's usually much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you.

Are there any side effects from the vaccines?
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines have a good safety record. All adult flu and COVID-19 vaccines are given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm.

Most side effects are mild and only last for a day or so, such as:
* having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around a day or two following the vaccination
* feeling tired
* headache
* general aches, or mild flu like symptoms.

Try these tips to help reduce the discomfort:
* rest
* continue to move your arm regularly
* take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen - some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it.

Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If you experience a high temperature, if your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, you can call NHS 111.

Worldwide, there have been very rare cases of inflammation of the heart called myocarditis or pericarditis reported after some COVID-19 vaccinations. These cases have been seen mostly in younger men within several days after vaccination. Most of these people recovered and felt better following rest and simple treatments.

You should seek medical advice urgently if, after vaccination, you experience:
* chest pain
* shortness of breath
* feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

You can report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme:
* online at Yellow Card Scheme
* by downloading and using the Yellow Card app on Apple or Android
* by calling the Yellow Card scheme on 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm)

Where can I get my vaccination

Will I be invited to get my winter vaccines?
You may be invited to get your winter vaccines by the NHS nationally or your GP practice through a letter, text or email. Don't worry if you do not receive this. If you are eligible, you do not have to wait for this before booking an appointment. If you receive an invite from the NHS and have already been vaccinated do not worry, sometimes there is a delay in the information flowing through and you do not need to do anything.

How can I book my winter vaccines?
To get your COVID-19 vaccination:
* Book online at www.nhs.uk/book-covid - You may be asked if you want a flu vaccination at the same appointment
* Use the NHS App

To get your flu vaccination:
* Contact your GP surgery
* Find your nearest pharmacy offering the vaccine at www.nhs.uk/flu-pharmacy
* Some pharmacies are offering appointments online at www.nhs.uk/book-a-flu-vaccination or on the NHS App.
For the Isle of Wight:
To have your COVID-19 vaccination at St Mary's Hospital, you can use National Booking Service to make your appointment. Slots are added each day, so if you cannot see one available for the Isle of Wight immediately, please check again later. You can also be vaccinated at your GP practice. Please wait for your invitation to book an appointment before contacting them.

If you need support:
* If you can't get online, phone 119 for help arranging your vaccinations. Interpreters will be available on request
* If you usually get your care at home, please contact your GP surgery to arrange a home visit with a local NHS service.
* If you are housebound or are not able to travel to a vaccination centre, your local NHS services will be in touch to make arrangements.
* If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user you can go online at NHS.UK, use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS BSL interpreter service.

Grab a jab locations

Below are the details of any walk-in sites available for eligible people to receive their COVID-19 vaccination without booking an appointment.

Dates will be added as the programme rolls out over the next few months so please check here for updates.

Site name

University Health Service

Address

Building 48
Highfield Campus
University of Southampton
SO17 1BJ

Dates and times

COVID-19 vaccination only

Saturday 28 October, 9am to 5pm
Saturday 4 November, 10am, to 2pm
Saturday 11 November, 10am to 2pm
Saturday 18 November, 10am to 2pm
Saturday 25 November, 10am to 2pm

Age

12+

Children and vaccination

Where will my child receive their winter vaccines?
Your child will receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a local vaccination centre or community pharmacy.

For the flu vaccine:

2 or 3 years old

GP surgery

6 months to 17 years in clinical risk group

GP surgery (or can receive in school/community clinic if school aged)

School aged children in reception to year 11

School or community clinic

What COVID-19 vaccine will my child receive?
Comirnaty 10 (XBB.1.5)

What flu vaccine will my child receive?
* Most children over the age of 2 are offered a nasal spray vaccine - this is given as a quick and painless spray up the nose.
* A small number cannot have it due to pre-existing medical conditions or treatments and are offered protection through an injected vaccine instead.
* The nasal spray contains small traces of porcine gelatine. For those who may not accept the use of porcine gelatine in medicines, an injectable vaccine is available. If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years old and is in a clinical risk group for flu, they will be offered an injected flu vaccine as the nasal spray is not licensed for children under the age of 2.

Are there any children that shouldn't get the nasal flu vaccine?
Some children will be offered the injected flu vaccine if they have:
* a severely weakened immune system
* asthma that's being treated with steroid tablets or has needed intensive care in hospital
* a flare-up of asthma symptoms (such as they've been wheezy in the past 72 hours or are currently wheezy) and need to use a reliever inhaler more than usual
* had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past
* a condition that needs salicylate treatment

Children will also be offered the injected flu vaccine if they live with somebody with a severely weakened immune system who requires isolation (for example, someone who has had a bone marrow transplant).

If you're not sure, check with the school aged immunisation service team, the nurse or GP at your surgery, or the specialist if your child has hospital care.

The nasal spray vaccine contains small traces of pork gelatine. If you do not accept the use of pork gelatine in medical products, the injected vaccine is available as an alternative.

Side effects of the children's flu vaccine
The nasal spray flu vaccine for children has an excellent safety record. Most side effects are mild and do not last long, such as:
* a runny or blocked nose
* a headache
* tiredness
* loss of appetite

People who are pregnant and winter vaccinations

Should I get the flu and seasonal COVID-19 vaccines while I'm pregnant?
If you're pregnant you're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu and COVID-19.
There is good evidence that pregnant people have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can become serious and develop into pneumonia. If you have flu while you're pregnant, it could cause your baby to be born prematurely or have a low birthweight, it increases the need for admission to intensive care for mum and baby and may even lead to stillbirth or death. If you get flu and also get COVID-19 at the same time, the symptoms are likely to be more serious.

Getting your winter vaccines is the safest and most effective way for people to protect themselves and their baby against COVID-19 and it also reduces the risk of having a stillbirth. The antibodies your body produces in response to the vaccine can also give your baby protection against flu and COVID-19 which lasts for the first few months of their lives.

It's safe to have the flu and COVID-19 vaccine during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. It's also safe for people who are breastfeeding to have the vaccines. There's no evidence flu and COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of having a miscarriage, pre-term birth or other complications in your pregnancy. It's strongly recommended that you get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 ahead of winter to protect you and your baby.

Can I get the flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time while pregnant?
It's safe to receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. You may be offered them at the same time or you may be offered, or to decide to have them, separately. Where possible, we encourage you to get both vaccines in the same appointment to save you time and ensure you are protected against both viruses. If this is not possible, we encourage you to get each vaccine as soon as you can, rather than waiting to get both at the same time. If you receive both vaccines in one appointment but originally booked two, please do cancel the other appointment so that it becomes available for someone else.

Can I have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine?
Yes, you can have the vaccines at the same time as the whooping cough vaccine (pertussis vaccine), but do not delay your winter vaccines so you can have all of the vaccines at the same time. Pregnant people are at risk of severe illness from flu and COVID-19 at any stage of pregnancy, so you need to have the vaccines as soon as possible. The best time to get vaccinated against whooping cough is from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks of pregnancy. If you miss having the vaccine for any reason, you can still have it up until you go into labour.

What winter vaccines will I receive while pregnant?
You will be offered a vaccine that is suitable for you. If you have any questions, you can discuss these with your GP practice or maternity team.

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Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.
1. Connect with other people

Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can:

help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth

give you an opportunity to share positive experiences

provide emotional support and allow you to support others

There are lots of things you could try to help build stronger and closer relationships:

2. Be physically active

Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

raising your self-esteem

helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them

causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood

Read about exercise guidelines and workouts to help improve your fitness and wellbeing

3. Learn new skills

Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem

helping you to build a sense of purpose

helping you to connect with others

Even if you feel like you do not have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life.

Some of the things you could try include:

4. Give to others

Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by:

creating positive feelings and a sense of reward

giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth

helping you connect with other people

It could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in your local community.

Some examples of the things you could try include:

saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you

asking friends, family or colleagues how they are and really listening to their answer

spending time with friends or relatives who need support or company

offering to help someone you know with DIY or a work project

volunteering in your community, such as helping at a school, hospital or care home

5. Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

Read more about mindfulness, including steps you can take to be more mindful in your everyday life.

Further information

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It can be easy to rush through life without stopping to notice much.
Paying more attention to the present moment - to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you - can improve your mental wellbeing.

Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. You can take steps to develop it in your own life.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness involves paying attention to what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment.

It's easy to stop noticing the world around us. It's also easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to end up living "in our heads" - caught up in our thoughts without stopping to notice how those thoughts are driving our emotions and behaviour.

An important part of mindfulness is reconnecting with our bodies and the sensations they experience. This means paying attention to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment. That might be something as simple as the feel of a banister as we walk upstairs.

Another important part of mindfulness is an awareness of our thoughts and feelings as they happen moment to moment.

How mindfulness helps mental wellbeing

Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better.

When we become more aware of the present moment, we begin to experience afresh things that we have been taking for granted.

Mindfulness also allows us to become more aware of the stream of thoughts and feelings that we experience, and to see how we can become entangled in that stream in ways that are not helpful.

This lets us stand back from our thoughts and start to see their patterns. Gradually, we can train ourselves to notice when our thoughts are taking over and realise that thoughts are simply "mental events" that do not have to control us.

Mindfulness can help us deal with issues more productively. We can ask: "Is trying to solve this by brooding about it helpful, or am I just getting caught up in my thoughts?"

Awareness of this kind may also help us notice signs of stress or anxiety earlier and deal with them better.

Mindfulness-based therapies are recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a way to treat less severe depression.

NICE also recommends that employers make mindfulness available to all employees, to support mental wellbeing at work.

How to be more mindful

Reminding yourself to take notice of your thoughts, feelings, body sensations and the world around you is the first step to mindfulness.

Notice the everyday

As we go about our daily lives, we can notice the sensations of things, the food we eat, the air moving past the body as we walk.

Keep it regular

It can be helpful to pick a regular time, such as a morning journey to work or a walk at lunchtime, during which you decide to be aware of the sensations created by the world around you.

Try something new

Trying new things, such as sitting in a different seat in meetings or going somewhere new for lunch, can also help you notice the world in a new way.

Watch your thoughts

Some people find it very difficult to practise mindfulness. As soon as they stop what they're doing, lots of thoughts and worries crowd in.

It might be useful to remember that mindfulness isn't about making these thoughts go away, but rather about seeing them as mental events that come and go. This can be very hard at first, but with gentle persistence it is possible.

Some people find that it is easier to cope with an over-busy mind if they are doing gentle yoga or walking.

Name thoughts and feelings

To develop an awareness of thoughts and feelings, some people find it helpful to silently name them: "Here's the thought that I might fail that exam" or: "This is anxiety".

Free yourself from the past and future

You can practise mindfulness anywhere, but it can be especially helpful to take a mindful approach if you realise that, for several minutes, you have been trapped in reliving past problems or pre-living future worries.

Different mindfulness practices

As well as practising mindfulness in daily life, it can be helpful to set aside time for a more formal mindfulness practice.

Mindfulness meditation involves sitting silently and paying attention to thoughts, sounds, the sensations of breathing or parts of the body, bringing your attention back whenever the mind starts to wander.

Yoga and tai-chi can also help with developing awareness of your breathing.

Is mindfulness helpful for everyone?

Studies show that mindfulness can help with stress, anxiety and depression. More research is needed to show whether it helps with other mental health conditions.

Many people find mindfulness helpful, but it's not right for everyone. Some people find that it does not help them, or that it can make them feel worse.

More tips for wellbeing

There are other steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing. Learn more about the 5 steps to mental wellbeing.

You can also get your free Mind Plan on the Every Mind Matters website for personalised mental wellbeing tips and advice to your email inbox.

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Awareness of ourselves and the world around us - sometimes called mindfulness - can improve our mental wellbeing.

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We’re Mind, the mental health charity | Mind

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We're Mind, the mental health charity. We're here to make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

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Paid for app- free trial available

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Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety.

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Paid for app- free trial available

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Unlock hundreds of mood-boosting meditations, relaxing sleep exercises, focus music, and more with our biggest offer of the year.

It's the healthiest, happiest deal you'll find this Black Friday, and it won't last long.

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Meditation and Sleep Made Simple - Headspace

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Live a healthier, happier, more well-rested life in just a few minutes a day with the Headspace app.

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Neuroscience In Early Years - Develop Emotional Resilience In Your Child - The AIM Group

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Neuroscience In Early Years - Level 2 Qualification! The AIM Group’s Fast-Track courses are nationally accredited!

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Special Educational Needs (SEN) criteria

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The SEN Service co-ordinates support for children and young people with SEN across the whole of Hampshire.

Who works in the SEN Service?

The Service is divided into area teams led by Education Officers for SEN. Each team consists of assessment and placement officers, caseworkers and assistants.

For how to contact the SEN Service team in your area please use the link on the right.

To see details of the SEN department structure, please view the PDF link here and on the right.

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Hampshire Special Educational Needs (SEN) Service

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The SEN Service co-ordinates support for children and young people with SEN across the whole of Hampshire. The Service is divided into area teams led by Education Officers for SEN. Each team consists of assessment and placement officers, caseworkers and assistants. For how to contact the SEN Service team in your area please use the link on the right.

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The service's primary function is to fulfil the local authority's statutory obligation to assess, meet and review the needs of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), through engagement with families and support professionals.

There is a lot of information available to families on our Local Offer site. We hope that you will be able to find the information you want here.

If your child is undergoing an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment and the application was made after the 4 November 2019 you can log in to the SEN Hub to check the progress of this assessment and obtain the information you need quickly.

If you are a member of staff at a school, please refer to the School Communication, dated 4 November 2019 for information on how to contact the SEN Service.

The SEN Service help line is open from 9.15am to 4.45pm, Monday to Thursday and 9.15am to 4.15pm on Friday. Please contact us on 01329 316165 or alternatively email the appropriate team for your area of Hampshire.

We will do our best to answer your call as we understand that parents, carers and young people appreciate being able to talk to someone when they call.

If your child already has an Education, Health and Care Plan or we have agreed to carry out an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment, you will have an allocated caseworker and they will be best placed to investigate your query. Your call will be put through to your caseworker if they are immediately available and, if not, we will arrange a time when they can call you.

SEN Service

Children's Services Department
Hampshire County Council
Elizabeth II Court North
The Castle
Winchester
SO23 8UG

SEN Service teams - contacts in your area

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The service's primary function is to fulfil the local authority's statutory obligation to assess, meet and review the needs of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), through engagement with families and support professionals. There is a lot of information available to families on our Local Offer site.

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Impartial Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support (SENDIASS) in Hampshire

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Impartial Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support (SENDIASS) in Hampshire

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Do you need some support responding to an EHCP or a Working Document? Join one of our online clinics where we'll guide you through the process.

Impartial Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support (SENDIASS) in Hampshire

Hampshire SENDIASS is an impartial Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) that aims to make a positive and lasting difference for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) and their parents and carers. We do this by providing timely confidential, impartial information, advice and support through our online resources, at events and workshops, via our helpline service and through individual casework.

​

Hampshire SENDIASS is provided by Polaris Children's Services, part of a leading Children's Services Group with over 24 years of experience in supporting children, young people and their families to build brighter futures.

Feedback

Tell us what you think by taking a quick questionnaire!

Get in Touch

If you can't find what you need, feel free to get in touch with us, our opening hours are Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm, and on Fridays 9am-4pm . Outside of these hours please use the Contact Us Form. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 2 working days.

0808 164 5504

The Local Offer includes information about education, health, social care, preparation for adulthood, leisure services and impartial information advice and support. Hampshire's Local Offer (co produced with parents, carers and young people) aims to help you find your way through the maze of information to reach the best solutions for you/your child.

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Hampshire SENDIASS | Impartial SEND Advice & Support

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Hampshire SENDIASS provide information and support to Children & Young People with special education needs and/or a disabilities.

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

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Resources to buy to support conversations around periods

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Talking about periods

Try to talk about periods as an ongoing process rather than a formal sit-down talk.

You can use TV ads for tampons, or buying sanitary towels at the supermarket, for example, to start the conversation about periods. Or simply ask your daughter what she already knows and go from there.

Use clear language, like "vagina". Emphasise that periods are completely normal and natural - they're part of growing up.

Boys also need to learn about periods. Talk to them in the same way as girls about the practicalities, mood changes that can come with periods, and the biological reason behind periods. It will keep them informed, as well as help them to understand about periods.

When a girl starts her periods it's a sign that her body is now able to have a baby. It's important that she also knows about getting pregnant and contraception.

The questions girls ask about periods

Here are some of the questions that you, as a parent, might get asked by girls about periods, with suggestions on how to answer them:

How will I know when my periods are going to start?

Signs that your period is on its way are if you've grown underarm and pubic hair. Typically, you'll start your periods about 2 years after your breasts start growing. The average girl will get her first period around 12 years old, but it varies from person to person.

Why have my periods not started yet?

Your periods will start when your body is ready. This is usually between age 8 and 17, or 2 years after your first signs of puberty.

Possible reasons for delayed periods include being underweight, doing lots of exercise (including dance, gymnastics and athletics), stress and a hormone imbalance.

See a GP if your periods have not started by age 15 (or 13 if you do not have any other signs of puberty). Your GP may suggest a blood test to check your hormone levels.

You may be referred to a specialist (usually a gynaecologist - a specialist in women's health) to find out what's causing your delayed periods and discuss any treatments that might help.

How do I get ready for my first period?

Talk to your parent or another adult you trust about what you can expect before it actually happens.

It's a good idea to start carrying sanitary pads or tampons around with you in advance.

If you find yourself at school without a pad or tampon, ask a teacher or the school nurse for some.

How long will my first period last?

Your first period might not last very long, as it can take your body some months to get into a regular pattern. As a general rule, once they're settled, you'll have a period every 23 to 35 days and it will last 2 to 7 days.

How much blood will I lose?

It might seem a lot, but it's only about 20 to 90ml (about 1 to 5 tablespoons). It's not a sudden gush - you'll just see a reddish-brown stain on your pants or on your sheets when you wake up in the morning.

What if period blood leaks through my clothes?

There are ways of covering up stains until you're able to change your clothes, such as tying a sweatshirt around your waist. Keep a spare pair of pants and tights at school or in your bag.

Should I use pads, tampons, menstrual cups or period underwear?

This is up to you. Tampons, menstrual cups, disposable or reusable pads (towels) and period underwear are safe and suitable if you've just started your period. You might want to use pads for your very first period as tampons and cups can take some getting used to. It might be worth experimenting until you find the product that suits you best.

Can a tampon get lost inside me?

No, it can't. When you insert a tampon, it stays in your vagina. All tampons come with a string at one end that is designed to stay outside your body. You can remove the tampon at any time using this string.

Read the full answer to Can a tampon get lost inside me?

What if I forget to remove my tampon?

If you forget to remove your tampon, it can turn sideways or become compressed at the top of your vagina. This can make it difficult for you to pull it out. If you think you've left a tampon in and you can't get it out, go to your GP or nearest sexual health clinic. They can remove it for you.

Read the full answer to What if I forget to remove my tampon?

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Most girls start their periods when they're about 12, but they can start as early as 8, so it's important to talk to girls from an early age to make sure they're prepared.

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Self-care- Looking After My Body (Periods)

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Self-care- Looking After My Body (Periods)

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THE ZONES OF REGULATION: A SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING PATHWAY TO REGULATION

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Inclusivity and representation of ALL learners is important to us! We are excited to release updated Supplementary Zones Emotions Visuals which feature our beautiful cast of characters from our...

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Teach Kids to Manage Big Feelings Through Effective Social Emotional Learning

Over 80% of U.S. public schools reported in 2022 on the negative impact of the pandemic on child well-being and self-regulation. Kids are:

Struggling to manage their feelings and mental health

More disruptive in the classroom

Needing additional social, emotional, and behavioral support

(source: National Center for Education Statistics)

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The Zones of Regulation is a complete social-emotional learning curriculum, created to teach children self-regulation and emotional control.

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Free parenting resources to download from The Spark. We are leading providers of family counselling and support services in Scotland.

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Hormones are chemicals that your body produces to send messages around your body. During puberty, your body will produce hormones like testosterone and oestrogen to help.

Your biological sex will often determine the types of changes you go through during puberty. For example, someone who is physically female may start to have periods and someone who is physically male may grow hair on their face.

Your sex is often checked when you're born by looking at whether you have a penis or vagina and is usually determined by your genetics.

Some people's physical sex develops differently from being just male or female. This is sometimes called being intersex, and it may mean that you develop differently from other people during puberty.

Some people's sex will be different from their gender, and we've got advice to help if you're worried.

4 facts about puberty

You'll experience both physical and emotional changes.

Puberty doesn't happen all at once, it takes a few years.

You're not alone, and people can go through puberty differently.

It's okay to ask questions when you're not sure.

When you go through puberty, you'll usually start to grow hair under your arms, around your genitals, and on your arms and legs. If you're physically male, you may also grow hair on your chest and face.

It's your choice whether you decide to shave your facial or body hair. If you decide you want to then we've got advice to help.

As you go through puberty you might find you sweat more. This is because your sweat glands change and produce more sweat to help control your body's temperature.

Keeping the areas that you sweat, like your armpits, clean and dry will help to stop any smell from developing. It's important to wash, bathe, or shower once or twice a day and wear clean clothes. You can also wear deodorant or antiperspirant.

If you sweat a lot, try wearing loose-fitting clothes. Cotton material will also help you to cool quicker than polyester or nylon. Change your socks regularly and wear different shoes when you can.

Your body changes shape during puberty. You'll usually get taller, heavier, and your muscles will grow, meaning you might see differences in your arms, legs, and chest.

For most, your voice will get deeper and you might find that your hair or skin gets greasier. Some people will get spots or acne as well. If you're worried about your acne, it can help to speak to a pharmacist for advice.

Bodies grow at different rates during puberty, but it can be tough if you're comparing yourself to other people.

Remember, there's no right or wrong way for people to look, and lots of pictures online will be airbrushed or have filters to stop them from looking real. If you're feeling alone or struggling, it might help to share how you're feeling with others on the message boards.

If you're struggling with how you look, we've got advice to help you feel better.

If you're a girl or physically female, the size and shape of your breasts can change a lot during puberty and you might find that your nipples become more sensitive than they were before. Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and they're all normal.
6 facts about breasts:

Lots of people have one breast which is a different size or shape than the other.

It's normal for breasts to feel sore or tender sometimes, especially just before or during your period.

Breasts can feel heavier or softer before a period.

Nipples come in different shapes and sizes. They can be outward or inward.

The area around the nipple is called the areola and it's normal for it to be a few shades darker than your breast.

Sometimes nipples have bumps, pimples, or hairs.

You can start wearing a bra whenever you want to, or whenever you feel that it might be more comfortable wearing one. It's important to get fitted for a bra in a department store or specialist bra shop to make sure you're wearing the right size. A sports bra can give more support when you're exercising.

If you're having sharp pains in your breast, an ache, or you notice a lump on your breast or something that doesn't seem usual, then it's important to speak to a doctor. You can ask to see a female doctor if that makes you feel more comfortable.

During puberty, most girls and people who are biologically female will start having periods. For lots of people, it starts around the age of 12, but it might be earlier or later than that.

Periods are part of the menstrual cycle and are a way for your body to get ready to become pregnant in the future. Your period is when you lose a small amount of blood from your vagina, and will normally last for about 3-8 days.

Some people will experience some pain, discomfort, or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) a few days before their period. We've got advice to help if you are.

Periods are safe and losing blood isn't something to worry about, but lots of young people talk to us about them.

Discharge is a clear, white liquid. It's completely normal and it's how your vagina keeps itself clean. If the discharge is yellow or smells, or if your private parts feel itchy, you should see your doctor as you might have an infection.

You'll usually have thicker, or more, discharge just before your period. It might stain your underwear so you could wear panty liners if you want to ⁠- they're in the same section as sanitary pads and tampons in supermarkets and chemists.

You might need to ask your parent or carer about money to buy sanitary products. If you feel embarrassed about choosing and buying them, it can help to ask a relative or friend to go with you.

If you're a boy or you have a penis, you'll usually start to have erections and produce sperm during puberty. This is when your penis goes hard and stiff.

Erections can happen when you're thinking about sex or someone you find attractive. They might also happen at times you're not expecting, like at school or on the bus. Sometimes it might feel embarrassing, but it happens to most boys.

Sperm are made in the testicles (sometimes called your balls) and are part of the fluid called semen that you ejaculate or cum from your penis.

Semen is usually white or grey but can sometimes appear yellowish. Semen becomes more sticky and jelly-like after ejaculation before it turns to liquid again after about 5 to 40 minutes.

A wet dream is when you ejaculate in your sleep and release semen. This is completely normal, especially during puberty, but sometimes it can feel embarrassing or confusing.

Usually, wet dreams happen during dreams with sexual thoughts or images. Sometimes you might wake up from a wet dream, but often you'll sleep through it.

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Puberty is when your body grows and develops to become an adult, and it can affect you in lots of different ways. Find out what to expect.

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The information on this page has been taken from Health for Teens which introduces a new and different way for young people aged 11-19 to learn about their health.

Their website features bite-sized information on a comprehensive range of physical and emotional health topics for teenagers, including healthy eating, body image, managing stress, advice on relationships, puberty, sexuality and much more.

Puberty happens to everyone - it's just part of growing up

It's one thing we all have in common. Just like the weather - your body changes and the changes can be very unpredictable.

Puberty usually happens between the ages of 8-16. Not everyone goes through it at the same time though as we're all different, so don't worry if your friends have started to change and you haven't, or if you have begun changing but your friends haven't; we all get there in the end.

During puberty, your body will grow faster than any other time in your life. Your brain releases hormones that tell your body it's time to change. This happens gradually over a few years, not overnight so you might not even notice the changes happening straight away.

7 changes that everyone will experience during puberty:

1. Start to grow taller

2. Start to grow hair in different places like arm pits and around the genital areas

3. Start to sweat more: you might find you need to wash more often than before, and should be having a shower or bath every day.

4. Have greasier skin

5. Get greasier hair: you might find you need to start to wash your hair more often if it is becoming greasier.

6. Have an interest in exploring relationships and sexuality

7. Experience the puberty brain: it's normal to go through a rollercoaster of emotions- happy, sad, grumpy, tearful, angry, fed up, confused and excited- all within a short space of time!

4 changes that girls will experience during puberty:

Hips widen: as your body grows, your hips widen in preparation for you to carry a baby in the future.

Breasts start to grow: the oestrogen your body is producing causes your breasts to grow. You might feel itchy or uncomfortable when this happens, but it's completely normal

Changes in your vagina: your vagina and vulva will grow bigger, and you'll start to produce a clear or white liquid (vaginal discharge) - this is normal and is how your vagina keeps clean and healthy.

Periods (menstruation): more information on periods can be found here

7 Puberty changes that only boys experience:

Shoulders get wider: Your body is filling out and changing shape during puberty, so you'll notice your shoulders become wider

Muscles get bigger and stronger: Your muscle mass is also building during puberty, so you'll notice your muscles grow and strength improve, particularly your upper body strength

Your voice will 'break' as you go through puberty and will become permanently deeper.During this process, you might find that your voice is very deep one minute and then goes very high the next. This is completely normal

Penis and testicles will get larger. Your penis and testicles will grow in size during puberty, and your scrotum will gradually become darker in colour

You may get erections. This is when your penis gets hard and stiff

Testicles start to produce sperm. Semen, which is made up of sperm and other bodily fluids, might be released when you have an erection. This is called ejaculation. Once sperm is made and ejaculation happens, if you had sex without protection you could get someone pregnant

You might get wet dreams. This is when you ejaculate and release semen in your sleep. This is a completely normal part of puberty

Getting help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links:
NHS- Stages of puberty Childline- Puberty for boys

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The information on this page has been taken from Health for Teens which introduces a new and different way for young people aged 11-19 to learn about their health. Their website features bite-sized information on a comprehensive range of physical and emotional health topics for teenagers, including healthy eating, body image, managing stress, advice on relationships, puberty, sexuality and much more.

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Who has parental responsibility for looking after children, and how to apply for parental responsibility if you were unmarried to the mother or are not on the birth certificate

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A wealth of resources and additional signpostings.

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Browse Parent support Couple support Bereavement support CareLine Top Tips leaflets Helping parents survive and thrive Raising children can be a physical and emotional rollercoaster! And that's why

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Support for parents | NSPCC

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Sleep is essential for our mental health. Disturbances to our sleep can impact negatively on our health and wellbeing, as well as on our energy levels and ability to focus and go about our lives.

We know that young people with ASD frequently report difficulty with getting to sleep, waking frequently in the night, waking too early, waking up feeling exhausted or oversleeping.

Factors which are thought to affect sleep include physical and psychological factors. Physical factors include breathing problems, epilepsy, constipation and hyperactivity. Psychological factors include anxiety and low mood.

Young people with ASD can experience some additional sleep problems; including sensory sensitivities (e.g., food, light, touch), difficulty understanding the purpose of sleep/giving up control, and abnormal melatonin regulation.

Sleep problems in young people with ASD tend to impact on the whole family, and can often affect all family members' well-being. In addition, sleep problems can have various negative effects on the young person themselves. For example, they may experience daytime sleepiness resulting in an impaired performance at school. The young person may also experience irritability, hyperactivity and behavioural problems due to sleep deprivation.

a conductive sleep environment should be:

A familiar, safe, calm, safe, calm setting

Have comfortable bed and bedding (think of the material of the sheets/duvet covers)

The correct temperature - many young people wake in the night because they are too hot or too cold.

A darkened, quiet room (consider black out blinds, white noise machine)

Non-stimulating (i.e., are there too many pictures on the walls, toys to play with, easy access to phone/tablet/TV?).

No negative associations (e.g., try to avoid bedroom being used for time outs)

Separate from play areas.

things to encourage:

Regular daily exercise

Bedtime routines- introduce a pleasant bedtime routine, which could include quiet activities (Lego, colouring, and reading), bath (unless too stimulating), change, drink or snack, and upstairs to bed. For younger children you can use a visual timetable to show each part of the bedtime routine; to ensure consistency, familiarity and to help their understanding. Try to stick to the same routine each night.

Snacks to promote sleep (oatmeal, milk, peanut butter, cherries, bananas, wholemeal toast)

Consistent bedtime and wake times - 7 days a week.

Thinking about problems and plans before bed- for anxious children, it can be useful to talk through any concerns and plans for the next day, to help alleviate any worries.

Falling asleep without parents.

things to avoid:

TV/screen time (this includes phones and tablets) in the hour before bed.

Daytime naps (over age of 3 years)

Over excitement near bedtime.

Late evening exercise.

Caffeine containing drinks late in the day.

Sugary drinks/snacks.

You could consider asking for more specialist help from your GP/Paediatrician if:

You are unable to cope with your young person's sleep problem.

They are having difficulties due to their sleep problem (e.g., struggling at school)

Their sleep problem is affecting their quality of life.

The Children's Sleep Charity also has lots of useful information and resources.

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Sleep is essential for our mental health. Disturbances to our sleep can impact negatively on our health and wellbeing, as well as on our energy levels and ability to focus and go about our lives. We know that young people with ASD frequently report difficulty with getting to sleep, waking frequently in the night, waking too early, waking up feeling exhausted or oversleeping.

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Managing aggression in your children

It is important to try and set some time aside to find out if they are struggling with this, it might not be easy for them to open up straight away and you may have to keep approaching them gently until they can open up. You might want to leave a book for them to write their feelings in if they do find it hard to talk. If they are not much of a writer, maybe give them a memory stick and they can store their thoughts digitally. Let them know that you love them very much and are there for them but need them to meet you halfway. You can ask them questions that will help them to explore their anger, like how it makes them feel when they hit that point, how it makes them feel after, etc.

Feeling angry and upset at times is natural and acceptable and most people do at some point or another, so let your child know this. Try to acknowledge their feelings, but set limits: "I know you feel angry, but I don't want to see any hitting; biting; shouting or swearing."

Keep a diary so you can write down the incidents as there may be a pattern and note down the triggers. Are there particular events that set your child off? If you start to see when, you can sometimes work out why.

If children see problems solved with raised voices or fists, they learn to follow suit. If you want to stop a child being violent, you may first have to address what is happening around them, it may be difficult to explore this but if there is conflict in your family life or perhaps communication is often through shouting, they may have learned this behaviour.

Learn how to defuse an angry situation. Lower your voice instead of shouting and look them in the eye. Talk with and listen to your child when they're calm. Look at why they might be feeling bad before looking at what they may do to control their behaviour.

You can't wave a magic wand and vanish away a child's unhappy feelings. What you can do is help them learn how to manage what they do about them. So encourage them to say, "I feel angry/left out/put down", instead of hitting out.

It isn't easy loving or showing affection for a child who is being hurtful. But they need to be shown that they are acceptable. Separate who they are from what they do by saying, "I love you and always will, but I don't love what you're doing."

Be positive and praise them when they do well. Blaming, shaming, or punishing children can make them feel worse about themselves and so even more aggressive.

Further resources

Coping with a potentially violent child is very challenging and no parent should expect to have to do this alone. You can get support from us directly from one of our family support workers via our helpline on 0808 800 2222, or you can email us at askus@familylives.org.uk or talk to us online via our service.
Watch our video on dealing with difficult behaviour from your child or teen

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Challenging behaviour in children can be hard for a parent, learn how to manage this by reading our advice.

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Contact Name

Jane Levers Professional Lead for School Nursing

Telephone

02380 874000

Website

www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/

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Helpline 0808 800 22 22

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Parenting and Family Support - Family Lives (Parentline Plus)

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Parenting and family support from Family Lives (formerly Parentline Plus) through our website, online chat, helpline 0808 800 2222 and parenting classes. Text CHAT25 £1 to 70070 to donate £1.

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Mental Health and Wellbeing Support in Eastleigh | Solent Mind

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Emotional wellbeing and mental health support for people living in Eastleigh from Solent Mind

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Tuesday and Thursday mornings
01962 876 239

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The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

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The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

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One hour of calming wintry cosiness ❄️ The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse - BBC - YouTube

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One hour of calming wintry cosiness ❄️ The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse - BBC

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The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes

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A blog with a wide range of accessible resources and information

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THIS ARTICLE INCLUDES A FREE PRINTABLE

- Dr. Harriet Braiker

Is your child self-critical and easily frustrated? Do they feel uncomfortable with new challenges or particularly tricky tasks? If so, your child may be a perfectionist .

To many people, this doesn't seem like such a bad thing. After all, what's wrong with setting high standards and pushing yourself to improve?

In reality, perfectionism can be unhealthy and damaging, especially for young children.

Dr Carol Dweck, a Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, defines two different types of perfectionism:

1. The first type is excellence-seekers. They push themselves because they are intrinsically motivated to achieve. This type is healthy and is associated with a growth mindset .

2. The second type is those who strive for perfection to avoid judgment and appear perfect to others. This type is associated with a fixed mindset and causes people to be self-critical, , and quick to give up .

Before you move on, be sure to sign up for our FREE weekly printables carefully crafted to teach your children's growth mindset, resilience, and much more. Sign up below to make sure you're on the list!

Once signed up, you will immediately receive our popular Parent's Guide to a Growth Mindset.

If your child shows signs of unhealthy perfectionism, try using these strategies to help them worry less and accomplish more.

Encourage high standards, not perfection

Helping your child avoid perfectionism doesn't mean you should have low standards. Encourage your child to strive for excellence and hold themself to high standards, but don't emphasize perfection.

Psychologist Randy Frost, a professor at Smith College, has studied perfectionism for decades. While he cautions against pursuing perfection, he also points out, 'Most people who are successful set very HIGH standards for themselves. They tend to be happy'.

Miriam Adderholdt, author of 'Perfectionism: What's Bad About Being Too Good'? seconds this opinion. 'There's a difference between excellence and perfectionism'.

Excellence involves enjoying what you're doing, feeling good about learning, and gaining confidence. On the other hand, perfectionism results in always finding mistakes, no matter how well you're doing. Striving for excellence can be motivating, but striving for perfection is ultimately demoralizing.

Understand this distinction, and convey it to your child as well. Children take cues from their parents when it comes to perfectionism: If your child feels you expect perfection, they will strive to be 'perfect' to gain your approval.

Avoid using the word 'perfect' altogether, even as . This can cause children to feel they MUST achieve at an impossibly high level. If, for example, your child brings home a report card with all As and one B, don't focus on the B. Pushing your child to achieve perfection can hurt both confidence and performance.

Teach your child the power of 'yet'

Another way to combat perfectionism is to teach your child about 'the power of yet'. When your child says they can't do something or haven't achieved something, chime in with those three letters: 'YET!'

Use our printable 'My Power of YET' to practice this with your children (it is available as part of our Growth Mindset Printables Kit PDF ). The printable also includes the 'goal ladder' technique which we explain in this article , in more detail.

Be an example of someone who's not perfect

Children who are perfectionists often believe that other people-especially the adults in their lives-are perfect.

Instead, ask your child for advice.

Organizational psychologist Adam Grant explains that when he experiences setbacks, he asks his children for input and advice. By talking about his shortcomings, he normalizes imperfection for his children. If his children later share similar struggles, Grant reminds them of the advice they gave to him.

By showing your child that you aren't perfect and you're okay with that, you'll help him develop a healthy attitude about achievement as well.

Emphasize the fun

Children rated factors like positive coaching, being a good sport, trying hard, team friendships, and learning and improving as far more important in terms of 'fun'.

Next time you pick your child up from practice, ask 'Did you have fun today'? instead of 'How many goals did you score today'? or 'How did you do today'? This shows that you care more about your child enjoying the activity than about winning or achieving perfection.

When you do talk to your child about performance, emphasize the new skills they are learning and the areas in which they're improving. Focus on the process of learning and the enjoyment of this process instead of solely stressing achievement.

Recognize negative thoughts

Teach your child to recognize negative thoughts and the inner voice that demands perfection. Remind your child that it's okay to have these thoughts, but they can use tools to address them.

For young children, you can use the 'balloon technique'. Tell your child to catch self-critical or negative thoughts, then imagine blowing them into a balloon and letting it go. They can then replace the negative thought with a more positive one or an affirmation like, 'I'm doing my best'.

More helpful strategies for dealing with perfectionism

Allow for downtime. It's common for parents to overschedule their children and push them into all sorts of activities. Ensure your child also has time each day to relax, recharge, and not worry about achievement.

Demonstrate unconditional love. Ensure your child knows that your love isn't conditional on performance. Go beyond just saying this; make sure you're not demonstrating excitement, interest, or pride only when your child accomplishes something.

Be mindful of your criticism. Children worry about their withdrawing approval when they disappoint or get something wrong. So be aware of how you express criticism or frustration. Help your child evaluate their performance and talk about how they can improve.

Be supportive. Ask your child what they need to achieve what they want. Maybe they need more sleep or more help from you.

Talk about learning from . Remind your child that everyone makes mistakes - we learn more from our mistakes and than we do from our successes.

If your child is too hard on themself, has unreachable expectations, and avoids challenges, they may be a perfectionist. Luckily, you can work with him to develop a healthier attitude about achievement. Eventually, your child will grow to understand that perfection isn't possible for anyone, and that's perfectly okay.

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5 Effective Ways to Help Your Perfectionist Child

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Is your child self-critical and easily frustrated? Does he feel uncomfortable with new challenges or particularly difficult tasks? If so, your child may be a perfectionist. To many people, this doesn't seem like such a bad thing. After all, what's wrong with setting high standards and pushing yourself to improve?

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National charity helping people with Anxiety - Anxiety UK

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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.

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Counselling, advice and support for children and young people across HampshireHampshire Youth Access (HYA) is a partnership of 10 leading agencies providing counselling, information, advice, and support to children and young people aged 5 to 17 across Hampshire. We also give advice and information to anyone concerned about a child or young person's emotional wellbeing.

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Every parent needs a little help from time to time. We're on hand, in communities and online

We know that supporting parents means better outcomes for the child. We've seen the difference this support can make. That's why we offer help and guidance, in person and through our online services.

Our parenting programmes support families and care-givers around the UK. They're designed to help parents and children bond, learn, or overcome difficulties:

Incredible Years shares tips and ideas to help a child learn, in school and in life.

Incredible Babies teaches new parents how to support their baby in the first year of their life.

HENRY focuses on health, exercise and nutrition for the really young.

And through the Freedom programme, we help mums and children who have suffered domestic abuse.

These and more are available through children's centres. We also run courses online or by text message, reflecting how parents want to engage.

Parent Talk offers free, down-to-earth advice for parents of children aged 0-19. All our content is written or curated by our parenting coaches, based on their experience working with children, young people and their families.

Parents can browse articles, or chat to a parenting coach for individual advice and emotional support. It's all free, and no topic is too big, small, or embarrassing.

Our online advice services were brought together and relaunched on one microsite this year, in response to an increased demand. We've been working with seven local authorities to deliver a live chat service tailored to local needs. We're now working on rolling this out to help us reach more people.

90% of parents rate the service four or five out of five.

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Every parent needs a little support from time to time. That's why we offer help and guidance online and in person.

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Children and Family Services Southern Health A-Z

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Children and Family Services Southern Health A-Z

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About the service

Hampshire Healthy Families was launched in 2020 as a partnership between the Trust and Barnardos. The service is commissioned to support families, parents and carers of children aged from 0-19 years old and to deliver the Healthy Child Programme across Hampshire. This is done by providing access to Health Visitors and School Nurses as well as other services and regular courses to help support child development.

What we do

The Trust's Children and Family Services are split into specialist teams that focus on everything from vaccinations to healthy living advice. Take a look below for more information.

Health Visiting

Health visitors are all nurses or midwives who have completed additional training in public health, which includes child development. Health visitors lead the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. This national programme consists of a series of developmental reviews, screening tests, vaccinations and information to support parents. Click here to find your local health visiting service.

You can also get support and advice from a Health Visitor by texting our ChatHealth service below.

School Age Immunisations

The School-Age Immunisation Service offers vaccinations to children (aged 4-16) across all Hampshire schools and children who are home educated. The team also work closely with teachers, school nurses and other health professionals to ensure young people receive their vaccinations at the right time. Visit the School Age Immunisations website for more information.

School Nursing

The School Nursing service works in partnership with children, young people and their families to ensure that pupil's health needs are supported within their school and their community. This includes those attending a school within Hampshire and those that are home educated (except Southampton and Portsmouth city schools).

Parents and young people can also get support and advice by texting our ChatHealth service below.

Family Nurse Partnership (FNP)

The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a voluntary programme usually offered to first time young parents aged 19 or under.

We know from research that a healthy pregnancy gives babies the best possible start in life. The relationship parents have with their babies right from the start is crucial for their future health and happiness.

Our family nurses' will provide you with information and support you to make decisions which:

Increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy

Help manage labour

Improve your child's development

Build a positive relationship with your baby and others

Help you plan for the future

Enable you to make lifestyle choices that will give your child the best possible start in life

Enable you to achieve your aspirations (such as finding a job or returning to education)

Research also shows that parents who take part in this programme are more likely to achieve what they want for themselves and their children.
What's involved?
Your family nurse will visit you every one or two weeks from the start of pregnancy until your child is at least one year. Home visits usually last about an hour.

You will share different ideas at each visit with your family nurse and decide together what topics to talk about. Your family nurse will help you develop new skills and make plans for a healthy, happy future for you and your baby.
Contact the Family Nurse Partnership
Email: fnpshft@southernhealth.nhs.uk

Tel: 0300 003 0338

Child Health Information Services (CHIS)

CHIS are responsible for all child health information records for children across Hampshire. The team also help to deliver information to parents around the time their child needs to be vaccinated.

You can find out more about the age they are given and the vaccinations required on the Child Health Information Service website.

ChatHealth 0-5

ChatHealth 0-5
ChatHealth 0-5 is a text messaging service set up to support parents, carers and families of under 5's in Hampshire.

The service is run by local health visitors who have a wealth of experience of working with mums and dads-to-be, babies, toddlers and young children.

The Health Visiting Team are able to support with questions from parents, carers and families relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including crying babies, infant feeding, starting baby on solid foods, sleep and behaviour problems. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services and other support.

How to use it: Text the dedicated number 07520 615720.

Chathealth 11-19

Chathealth 11-19
The ChatHealth text service is an easy way for young people 11-19 to confidentially ask for help with a range of issues. The service is manned by qualified school nurses who have a wealth of experience of working with young people.

ChatHealth allows young people in Hampshire to text messages to a dedicated number 07507 332160; the messages are then delivered to a secure website. Once received, the school nurse will respond to the text within one working day.

ChatHealth is available Monday to Friday from 9am-4.30pm (excluding bank holidays). Any young person who texts the service outside of these hours will receive an automated message with advice of where to get help if their question is urgent.

The School Nursing Team are able to support young people with questions relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including self-harm, relationships, bullying, weight, anxiety, drugs, smoking, stress, body worries, alcohol and sexual health. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services and other support.

Young people are still able to request to see a School Nurse face to face in school or a community setting.

How to use the service: Text the dedicated number 07507 332160

ChatHealth for parents of children and young people in Hampshire aged 5-19.

ChatHealth offers a simple, convenient & confidential text messaging service for parents of children and young people in Hampshire aged 5-19.

The ChatHealth advisor team is made up of school nurses working within Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. These nurses all have extensive experience of working with and supporting parents of children and young people.

ChatHealth allows parents in Hampshire to text messages to a dedicated number 07507 332417; the messages are then delivered to a secure website. Once received, the school nurse will respond to the text within one working day.

ChatHealth is available 9 am - 4.30 pm on Monday to Thursday and 9 am - 4 pm on Fridays (excluding bank holidays). Any parent who texts the service outside of these hours will receive an automated message with advice of where to get help if their question is urgent.

The Team are able to can support parents with questions relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including healthy lifestyles, toileting, behaviour, sleep, emotional wellbeing and health conditions. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate services and other support.

Parents are still able to request to see a School Nurse face to face in school or receive support via a telephone call (with exception of private schools).

Children in Care

The Children in Care service works in close partnership with children, young people, their carers and local authorities to ensure that children and young people's health needs are supported whilst they remain in care and as care leavers.

If you live in care and away from home, you may want to speak confidentially to someone about your worries. The Children in Care Team can listen and help you to get further help and support.

What does the service provide?

Health assessments

Health advice and information for Children in Care

Support for children in care to attend health appointments

The team can also arranage for referals into other services such as; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Sexual health clinics, GP services and stop smoking services .

If you would like to speak to the Children in Care team, please call them on 02382 310475 or email admin-childrenincare@southernhealth.nhs.uk.

If you would like to read more about our integrated health and wellbeing service at Swanwick Lodge Children's Home in Southampton, click here.

How to find us

Children's Management Office, Tom Rudd Unit, Moorgreen Hospital, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, Hants, SO30 3JB

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Hampshire Healthy Families was launched in 2020 as a partnership between the Trust and Barnardos. The service is commissioned to support families, parents and carers of children aged from 0-19 years old and to deliver the Healthy Child Programme across Hampshire.

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Barnardos: Children with a parent in prison

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Barnardos: Children with a parent in prison

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Children who have a parent in prison can feel isolated and ashamed and most feel unable to talk about it because they’re scared of being bullied. Read more.

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https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/pages/faqs/category/tell-my-child

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You and your child may experience a real sense of loss, missing the company of the loved one who is in prison.

The typical "stages of grief" model may help you understand how your child reacts:

Your child may show signs of disbelief and laughter, and askif the person telling them the news is joking. In response, they may switch to auto-pilot and try to carry on as normal; or they may have an extreme reaction, sobbing uncontrollably.
Supporting your child through shock:
Do not appear alarmed at the child's response - especially if it seems inappropriate (eg laughter). It is important to reassure your child that feelings of numbness/disbelief are normal. When you are explaining the situation to the child, it is important to keep your language clear and simple so that there is no misunderstanding. Importantly, reassure the child that you are there for them and will listen to and answer their questions

Your child may not accept the loss and pretend that nothing has happened, refusing to believe that their family member is gone. This may result in them lying about the situation, to others and to themselves
Supporting your child through denial:
Give your child time to process and accept the truth - denial is a protective mechanism and the child will move passed this with time. It is also important to talk openly with the child - reassure them that they can talk to you about what has happened and that they won't get in trouble for asking questions about imprisonment

Your child may be mad at the world and blame others. They may get easily frustrated and over-reactive, blowing up over the smallest event. They may also use anger to cover up their hurt/sadness, and lash out at those not involved in the situation
Supporting your child through anger:
If they are hurting themselves/others, explain that whilst it is OK to feel angry, it is not OK to hurt themselves/others. You could encourage your child to have an outlet for their anger in a safe way - eg exercise (running) or hitting a pillow. It is important to reassure the child that they should not feel guilty about being angry at their imprisoned family member - this is a natural response and does not mean that they do not love their family member. It is also key that you remain constant and do not get upset if they get angry towards you: this will reinforce the fact that you are there to support them no matter what.

Your child may try and "make deals" to change the situation - e.g "if Dad comes back I will be good forever" or "if I make the house clean and tidy, Mum will come back"
Supporting your child through bargaining:
Explain that there is nothing they can do that will bring their loved one back - the family member is not in prison because of them and therefore they can't do anything to get them out of prison. Be aware that even in spite of your reassurances, your child may continue to bargain as it makes them feel that they are doing something helpful for their loved one.

Guilt can be seen as anger turned inwards - your child may blame themselves for their family member's imprisonment.

Your child may also feel guilt for any enjoyment they feel, either because they think they shouldn't be happy whilst their loved one is away, or because they feel they shouldn't be happy if their loved one isn't happy - eg feeling guilty for enjoying an ice-cream when Dad can't enjoy an ice cream in prison
Supporting the child through guilt:
Reassurance is key for feelings of guilt - it is important to tell them that they are not to blame. It may also be helpful to explore with your child how and why they feel responsible, and then respond to their reasons by explaining how and why they are not responsible. It is also helpful to encourage your child to talk about how they are feeling/what they are thinking

You may see signs of depression in your child - they may not want to be with their friends, they may withdraw and refuse to go to school, they may continuously cry, and there may be significant changes in their appetite and sleep patterns.
Supporting the child through depression:
Ensure that your child knows that their feelings are important - especially as they may have low self-esteem and feelings of worth. It is also helpful if you can encourage your child to participate in their usual hobbies, sports and existing friendships. It is important to note that there is a difference between showing signs of depression and suffering with depression, and if you become concerned about the child's mental health, you should talk to a GP.

This is where the child acknowledges and believes that the loss is real, and they show signs of being willing to move on - e.g "My brother isn't here anymore" and "I am going to be OK".
Supporting the child through acknowledgment:
Help your child to understand that it is OK to become interested in life again and that this is not disrespectful to their imprisoned family member. You can also reassure the child that although things have changed, this does not mean that they won't have a happy life or an exciting future ahead of them.

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We often hear from parents and carers who are struggling with what to tell their children when a loved one goes to prison. Often they are torn between wanting to hide the truth from the children to “protect” them, and the desire to be open and honest with their children. Here you can fin…

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https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/emtas/new-referrals/asylum-refugee-guide

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Definition of terms 'asylum seeker' and 'refugee'

In most countries a person must apply for asylum before they are recognised as a refugee. An asylum seeker is someone who arrives in a new country and makes an asylum application. It is then up to the Government to decide if their claim meets the definition of a refugee, as below.

The 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees defines a refugee as someone who has fled their country due to 'a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion'.

Hampshire has relatively few asylum seekers and refugees, although the numbers have risen significantly since 2016. This means that many of them are isolated and very vulnerable. Schools will need to be flexible in their approach and should seek the advice of EMTAS regarding appropriate provision.

Who are unaccompanied asylum seeking children/young people (UASC)?

An unaccompanied asylum seeker (UASC) is a person who, at the time of making their asylum application, is under 18 years of age or who, in the absence of documentary evidence, appears to be under that age and who is applying for asylum in his/her own right and is without adult family member(s) or guardian(s) to turn to in this country. A child is not unaccompanied if he/she is being cared for by an adult prepared to take responsibility for them.

Some of the children and young people seeking asylum attending schools in Hampshire will be unaccompanied. This means that they arrived in the UK without an adult family member or guardian accompanying them. Some of these children/young people will have been placed in Hampshire by another Local Authority. Many of these children and young people will have experienced trauma including the loss of their parents and/or siblings, or will have lived in war conditions. Schools receiving UASC should contact both EMTAS and the Virtual School for advice.

Safeguarding

Trafficked children/young people

Trafficking is when a child/young person is moved either within a country or into a new country for the purpose of exploiting them. They may be controlled by harm, including physical and sexual abuse, or threats of harm to themselves or their family. Fear of Voodoo or Juju may also be used. They are made to work to pay back the cost of their travel to the UK - their debt bond. Children and young people who are not trafficked do not have this debt as usually a family member paid for their travel to the UK before they left their country of origin.

Some of the asylum seeking and/or refugee children and young people in Hampshire schools will have been trafficked. Usually they will already have been identified as trafficked before starting their education in Hampshire. In these cases, detailed information will have been given to the school by the child/young person's social worker on how to keep them safe whilst at school. All UASC will be assumed to have been trafficked until proved otherwise in order to safeguard them.

Occasionally, a child/young person may not already have been identified as trafficked prior to commencing their education in Hampshire. If any school has suspicions that an asylum seeker/refugee may have been trafficked they should immediately report their concerns to the child/young person's social worker, if they have one. If they do not currently have a social worker, Hampshire's Child Protection team should be contacted. They will then initiate a multiagency response to keep the child/young person safe including notifying the Willow team, Social Care, the police, the Home Office and Barnardo's Child Trafficking Advocacy Service. If appropriate a referral will be made to the National Referral Mechanism. The school will be kept fully informed of any strategies that they need to use to keep the child/young person safe.

Inducting an asylum seeking child/young person or refugee into your school

The way that an asylum seeking child/young person is inducted into their new school is key to their future success in education in the UK. It is essential to plan their induction carefully as early as possible. If it is not clear whether a particular child/young person is an asylum seeker/refugee or not it is advisable to proceed with induction as if they may be as much of the following advice is good practice in the induction of any child/young person entering the UK education system from abroad.

As soon as a school knows or suspects that it is to admit an asylum seeking child/young person it should start the process of collecting as much information about the child/young person as possible. In the case of an UASC this process will be part of an Education Planning Meeting (EPM) set up by one of the agencies involved in supporting the UASC such as the Virtual School. A referral to EMTAS should also be made at this stage.

It is also important to try and find out if the child/young person has been to school before in their country of origin. It is quite common for UASCs to have very fragmented education or no formal education prior to coming to the UK. Children/young people who are accompanied may also have experienced disruption to their education due to the situation in their country of origin meaning that regular school attendance may not have been possible.

Decisions then need to be made about which year group to place the child/young person in (in most cases this will be their chronological year group) and which groups or sets to place them in (middle to higher are recommended). For secondary aged asylum seekers/refugees their timetable and subject choices (if applicable) also needs to be considered. Thought also needs to be given to what type of support the child/young person will need. EMTAS can advise schools about this if required.

Pastoral/Welfare

It is important to recognise that asylum seeking/refugee children and young people will almost certainly be showing signs of trauma, particularly if they are UASC. They may have witnessed horrific events. In the case of UASCs, their parents and other family members may have been killed or the children/young people may not know if they are dead or alive. The journey to the UK will also have been quite traumatic in many cases. All asylum seeking/refugee children and young people are also having to cope with living in a new country where they initially may know no-one, learning a new language and starting school possibly for the first time in their lives. They may be living with people who do not share their cultural background, language or religion.

Schools can play an important part by providing stability and a normal routine for asylum seeking/refugee children and young people. It is important that class teachers, subject teachers and any other relevant staff are aware that these children and young people may be suffering from the effects of trauma, loss, separation and change and that this may affect their behaviour in school as well as at home.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Maslow's hierarchy illustrates the psychological needs that asylum seeking children and young people will have on their arrival at their new school. It is worth noting that cognitive needs are a long way up the pyramid. It is therefore unlikely that a newly arrived child/young person will achieve or be motivated to achieve academically if their needs lower down the pyramid are not met. The quality of the pastoral and welfare support provided by the school is therefore of utmost importance.

Assessment

There is no single 'test' that schools can administer on admission to assess a newly arrived asylum seeking child/young person or refugee. The assessment process needs to be on-going and ideally initiated within the first two weeks of admission. This will enable appropriate provision to be offered and appropriate learning targets put in place. It is good practice to review the progress and placement of the pupil at least termly.

EMTAS will complete an initial assessment following a referral by a school which will include a Profile Report detailing the pupil's level of proficiency in their home language, an initial assessment of their level of proficiency in English and background information including their past educational experiences. Academies who have not bought into EMTAS will incur a charge for this service.

Actions to take following the completion of the child/young person's Profile Report

Once complete, the profiling process will have identified the areas where the child/young person will need additional support. The school can now decide how to provide this support and should start to provide it as soon as practicable. EMTAS can provide schools with further advice on appropriate support if required. For UASCs some of this support could be funded through the Pupil Premium Plus grant. Other asylum seekers/refugees may qualify for Pupil Premium if their family is receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The child/young person's need for support will change over time so it is important to review the support on offer regularly to check that it is still needed and appropriate.

EMTAS is able to provide a range of types of support for pupils in maintained schools and academies who have bought in to the service. Other academies are able to purchase support if required.

Support available from EMTAS

Hampshire EMTAS can:

provide detailed guidance on asylum seeker/refugee issues including admission to schools/colleges, teaching and learning, pastoral advice, resources, useful contacts

provide a bilingual assistant to translate or interpret

conduct an initial assessment, including writing a Profile Report detailing the pupil's previous education and current achievement levels to enable early and correct placement

provide advice on appropriate teaching strategies

provide advice on the best course of action regarding GCSE choices/other courses when admitting pupils into Year 10 or Year 11

provide in-class support for the child/young person

provide training for school staff

loan the school resources such as bilingual dictionaries, bilingual storybooks for primary aged children and ICT resources such as Talking Pens.

Parents

Entitlement to compulsory education

Children/young people who are asylum seekers or refugees have the right to free education. This includes young people aged 16-19 who are entitled to attend school sixth forms or Further Education(FE) colleges.

School admission

Schools must by law treat any application from a child/young person seeking asylum in the same way as any other application. The fact that the child/young person may speak little or no English does not matter.

Free school meals

If your family has been issued with vouchers from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) then your child is entitled to free school meals (and milk, where provided).

School uniform

Schools may be able to provide you with some school uniform items for your child.

At the discretion of Hampshire Local Education Authority school uniform grants may be available.

At school

Please ask the school to obtain a bilingual dictionary for use in school.

If you have a problem or are worried about your child's education, please speak to the class teacher or form tutor.

At home

Continue to use your own language at home. Children who speak their first language well will become better speakers and users of English. Talk to your child about their lessons. This will help your child to understand more.

Unaccompanied asylum seeker children FAQs

Information for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking children

This booklet "Welcome to Hampshire" was written for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people. Their carers may also find it useful as it contains a wealth of information about life in the UK.

The following document was produced jointly with the Virtual School to help clarify how to access support and pupil premium funding for asylum seekers and refugee pupils: EMTAS and Virtual School UASC Support options

Audio files

You can listen to audio sections of the Welcome to Hampshire booklet being read aloud in English, Arabic, Farsi or Pashto.

Good practice guidelines/other useful documents

From 1 November 2017, the government published a strategy setting out their commitments to safeguard and promote the welfare of unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children. Statutory guidance around unaccompanied migrant children, who may be victims, or potential victims, of modern slavery was published at the same time, together with DfE responses to the latest consultation around the care of unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-and-refugee-children.

Links to all of these documents can be found below:

To read more about best practice in relation to refugees and asylum seekers, see the Hampshire EMTAS blog.

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Definition of terms 'asylum seeker' and 'refugee' In most countries a person must apply for asylum before they are recognised as a refugee. An asylum seeker is someone who arrives in a new country and makes an asylum application. It is then up to the Government to decide if their claim meets the definition of a refugee, as below.

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Helping Children to Understand Domestic Abuse

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Helping Children to Understand Domestic Abuse

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Talk to Frank - honest information about drugs

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Talk to Frank - honest information about drugs

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https://www.talktofrank.com/

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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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https://mensadviceline.org.uk/

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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.

Men's Advice Line evaluation survey

Have you spoken to our Advisors? Tell us about your experience

Take our survey

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Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men | Men's Advice Line UK

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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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https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/

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What is Bullying and Harassment?

Bullying and Harassment can be defined in many different ways and can be described as unwanted conduct of behaviour designed to cause harm or distress to another person. It can be characterized as offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient. Bullying can be related to age, sex, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality or any personal characteristic of the individual, and maybe persistent or an isolated incident. The key is that the actions or comments are viewed as demeaning and unacceptable to the recipient.

Bullying falls under four main categories, psychological, Verbal, Physical and Cyberbullying and its effects can have far-reaching consequences. Bullying can have an impact on anyone, children and adults in school or at work. It can seriously affect someone's physical and mental health. Sustained bullying can cause stress, emotional issues, social problems, physical disorders and in some serious cases, self-harm or even death.

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Information and advice about all forms of bullying

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Bullying - Help and advice for adults and children affected by bullying at work, bullying at school or cyberbullying with information to help stop bullying

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https://karmanirvana.org.uk/

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Our goal is to end Honour Based Abuse in the UK. We run a national helpline, offer training to professionals, gather data to inform policies and services, and campaign for change.

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https://www.safe4me.co.uk/support-services/

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Support services provided by Hampshire County Council, including those in partnership

Hampshire County Council provide a range of support services and information directories for children and young people, families and professionals, click the relevant link to access full information from the HCC website.

Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs): Links to CSP localities, partner agencies and hate crime reporting.

Family Information and Services Hub: information and details on how to access services, organisations and activities in Hampshire, plus advice and support available on a range of needs.

Parent and Family Support: Directory of support, advice and services for parents, carers and other family members

SEND Local Offer: Local support, events and services for children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND), including for parents/carers and professionals

Support for Young People: Services and information to support young people with education, training, caring for others, relationships and health.

Youth Directory: Part of the family information and services hub, this directory provides access to a full list of all services across the county for children and young people, including those in care.

Organisations and specialist services providing support to children, young people, families and professionals in Hampshire

Charity dedicated to ending violence against women and children by offering safety, support, advocacy, and empowerment to survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking. Through a variety of tailored services, in a non-judgmental environment, it ensures all victims and survivors of abuse and violence have access to specialist support. Services include Domestic Violence and Abuse, Sexual Violence, Stalker, Female Offenders, Armed Forces and IRIS, a DVA prevention scheme aimed at professionals. Click here for more details of each service.

Click here for full contact details for all individual services

Barnardos

Deliver local services to children and young people in Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Southampton. Its specialist 4-U services* (u-turn, miss-u, with-u, for-u) provide quality, independent and confidential services to children and young people. for the 4-U services information leaflet.

U-Turn: Information and support to children and young people up to age 18 who is at risk of, or experiencing, Child Exploitation of any form. Available in all 4 LSCB areas. Online Referral (professionals): www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/services/barnardos-4u-services-u-turn-child-exploitation

*Miss-U, With-U and For-U services currently only available in Portsmouth and IOW

Hampshire Specialist Parenting Support Service: Programmes for parents/carers of children aged 5-17 with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, challenging behaviour or displaying anti-social behaviour including child to parent violence. Parents/carers can self-enroll or be referred by a health, education or early help professional.

Breakout Youth (LGBTQ+)

Hampshire and Isle of Wight local LGBTQ+ Support Charity offering a confidential support service for young people aged 11 to 21, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or unsure of their sexuality or gender identity. The service is based in Southampton, Romsey, Basingstoke, Andover, New Forest and the Isle of Wight.

Catch-22 (Substance Misuse Support)

Hampshire 24/7 specialist treatment service provides targeted family support for children and young people U25 effected by substance misuse. Free and confidential support is tailored to include 1-2-1 and group work (including in education settings), a 24-hour help line, pharmacological support and needle exchange. Young people can self-refer or via a professional, family member or friend.

Hampshire Youth Access Counselling & Support Services (HYA)

Partnership of 11 leading agencies providing counselling, information, advice and support to children and young people aged 5 to 17 across Hampshire, and support to anyone concerned about a child or young person's emotional well-being. HYA also provides a free resource library with downloadable packs and information for parents, young people and professionals.

The 11 organisations forming the HYA partnership provide the services listed below, click the relevant locality link for more details.

HYA Referral Form for Professionals, Parents and Young People can be completed to refer 5-17 year olds to the service.

Hate Crime: Third Party Reporting Centres (TPRCs)

Provides a 24/7 alternative option to reporting hate crime other than to police. More information and location of reporting centres can be found on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner's website: www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/taking-action/hatecrime/third-party-reporting-centres

Hampshire Domestic Abuse Service

Provided by Stop Domestic Abuse (formerly SDAS)andThe Hampton Trust to help, and offer access to support services, for victims and survivors of abuse, children living with domestic abuse, perpetrators and professionals seeking advice.

Inclusion Recovery Hampshire

Supporting those affected by drugs and alcohol in Hampshire and IOW (exc. Southampton & Portsmouth) to provide the best care possible for all age groups who are using drugs/and or alcohol, or affected by problems associated to them. Services are delivered at 9 main hubs located in Aldershot, Andover, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, New Forest and Winchester.

Let's Talk About It (Sexual Health Service)

Solent NHS Trust Sexual Health service provides Contraceptive & Sexual Health (C&SH) and Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) services across Hampshire, providing confidential and non-judgemental specialist support for:

anyone at risk of Sexual Exploitation (ROSE clinic)

anyone with a Learning Disability (SHIELD clinic)

anyone involved in commercial sex work (TULIP clinic)

for men who have sex with men (Clinic Xtra)

Online service includes ordering free testing kits, local clinic locator, online booking and referral information for professionals.

MIND (Helpline)

Havant & East Hants MIND provide a freephone mental health crisis helpline for children and young people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, giving immediate access to safe and confidential support for 11-17 year olds experiencing difficulty with their mental health. Support includes listening to needs/concerns, supporting specific issues such as anxiety, self-harm and low mood also offering advice on mindfulness techniques and emotional coping skills

HEH Mind Main Office (Havant)

Motiv8

Creating safer communities for young people and their families by providing safe spaces to develop skills, tools and resilience to overcome challenges - aiming to give young people better life chances, reduce offending, anti-social behaviour and disengagement with learning. Services available in Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport and Fareham areas.

Havant Office: 023 9247 0484

Gosport & Fareham Office: 023 9252 5026

Web: motiv8.org.uk/

Bicycle Recycling: social enterprise initiative providing, jobs, training to improve life chance for young people. Centres in Gosport and Portsmouth

No limits

No Limits offers free and confidential information, advice, counselling, support and advocacy for children and young people under the age of 26 who live in Southampton and Hampshire. Services available include support for drug and alcohol issues; homelessness; sex & relationships; education, work and training; money and debt, and also includes advice for parents.

Relate Children & Young People's Counselling

Confidential support for children and young people aged 8-18 to talk to trained counsellors about relationship problems at home, at school, with peers or about anything else troubling them. Relate also offer family counselling for parents to help their child cope with changes or a difficult situation.

Counselling also available by phone or webcam, more information about these services is available on the Talk to Someone webpage, or contact the local Relate office from the list below for more details about specific services offered.

Simon Says

Specialist support service for children and young people U18 in Hampshire who have a significant person in their life who has died or is dying. The charity also provides support to schools and colleges in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Solent Mind

Provide a range of projects and services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight which aim to prevent mental health issues through developing skills and knowledge, and to offer direct support to children, young people and families affected by a mental health problem. Main contact details for Solent Mind, and details of youth service projects local to Hampshire are listed below.

Advocacy Service changes to VoiceAbility: From 1 April 2020 the Hampshire and Southampton advocacy service transferred to VoiceAbility, contact details below:

Heads Up: Mental health project run in local schools, colleges and universities in Southampton and New Forest, informing and educating young people through assemblies and workshops to equip them with coping strategies to manage their own well-being. Also provide support for parents and staff. Click the relevant link to access the information leaflet: young people or education professionals.

Upturn: Mental health project based in Fareham and Gosport, working with young people age 8+ and their families to provide support and education, through classroom-based workshops, small groups or one to one sessions. Young people can self-refer, refer through school or CAMHS. Click here for the Upturn info leaflet.

Youth Affinity: a partnership with the Prince's Trust and No Limits to support young people aged 16-25 in Hampshire to achieve good well-being and overcome barriers that might affect mental health. Contact the team for more information about locations and referrals.

Wellbeing & Talking Therapies for Young People: Well-being centres across Hampshire organise groups and activities for young people. For up to date information, contact local well-being centres directly from the details on the webpage:

Web: www.solentmind.org.uk/our-services/wellbeing-services/

Solent Mind supports italk: A free talking therapy service for those aged 16+ offering face to face, over the phone or online support in Hampshire, through GP or self-referral. More information available at www.italk.org.uk.

Stop Domestic Abuse (formerly SDAS)

Local provider of specialist services for all those affected by domestic abuse, including families, perpetrators, police, schools and local organisations. An online support page for professionals provides referral information, links to forms and downloadable resources/posters.

Up2U is a free service for anyone over 16 who recognises that they use abusive behaviours in their relationships and want to change. for the Up2U info leaflet. Further details about this service can be found on the professionals page.

Head office (Havant)

Hampshire Service: Referrals (exc. Portsmouth & Southampton)

The Hampton Trust

Deliver domestic violence prevention programmes to perpetrators and those affected by domestic violence, including a range of services for young people aged 7 - 24.

Young Adults Relationships Programme: specialist domestic abuse service for 16-24 year olds living in Hampshire or Southampton, helping them avoid using abusive behaviours. Self-referral or client referral options.

Linx: support for young people struggling with things in life which impact on their feelings and behaviour relating to Adverse Childhood Experiences, helping them achieve goals and make positive changes.

Turnaround: group programme addressing issues faced by children aged 7-11 who have experienced distress caused by domestic abuse in their home.

THT also provide services for adults, referral pathways and professionals training, contact them for more information about programmes, referral criteria and service locations.

Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

Provides non-judgmental medical care, practical help, emotional and psychological support to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted, recent or historical. Service can be accessed with or without reporting to police. Treetops also provides information for family and friends of victims, and specialist support for parents/carers of U18s who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

Other sexual assault/abuse services across Hampshire

Basingstoke Rape and Sexual Abuse Crisis Centre (BRASACC)

Provides free confidential support and counselling for anyone who has been raped, sexually abused or sexually assaulted at any time in their lives, including ISVA support for anyone age 16+. BRASACC also provides support to parents, partners, families, friends, and workers from other agencies.
Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre Winchester (RASAC)
Provides a free, confidential listening and support service (not medical) for all genders and ages who have been raped and/or sexually abused at any time in their lives and who are suffering sexual trauma as a consequence of their unwanted experiences.

Now provides help service for under-18s in Winchester, Test Valley and North Hampshire.

Call: 01962 807037 (office 09:30-3:30pm Mon-Fri)

Call: 01962 868 688 or 01962 864 433 (Advice & Support Line)

Text (SMS): 07860 027793

Email & Referrals: rasac.org.uk/contact/

Web: www.rasac.org.uk

Main office is in Winchester, additional counselling services available at The Bridge, Andover.

Victim Care Service

Provides free, confidential support for victims of crime aged 4+ who live anywhere in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. VCS aim to help people cope and recover from the effects of crime, even if not reported to the police. Funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, VCS is delivered by Victim Support.

Yellow Door

Provide a wide range of free specialist therapeutic, outreach, supportive and preventative services around the issues of sexual abuse and violence for adults and young people across Southampton and West Hampshire. More information about specific services and eligibility areas can be accessed via the following web links:
Main Office Domestic Abuse Team (DAT)
Diversity & Inclusion Advocacy (DIA)

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA service)
STAR Project Therapies & Family Services
YMCA

Deliver a range of services for children and families at venues across Hampshire and Isle of Wight which include youth clubs and groups, nursery/pre-school care, parent groups, holiday clubs, residential camps, training, venue hire and housing.

Hampshire Youth Services: Weekly youth clubs and groups for 8-14 year olds currently run in Andover, includes sessions for those with additional needs, offering a range of indoor and outdoor activities. Contact the YMCA centre for more information.

YMCA Housing Basingstoke: Provides safe, secure and comfortable supported housing for young people age 18-30 in Basingstoke. For more information and application pathways contact the local YMCA Housing Team.

For a full details of all Hampshire YMCA services, click the relevant locality area link:

Y Services

Supporting communities and organisations to develop high quality youth work projects which meet the needs of young people in the local area. Services include outreach and youth work sessions for young people age 11-19, voluntary opportunities for young people, and dedicated support for LGBT+. Services available across Havant, Hayling Island, Fareham, Gosport, Winchester and Portsmouth.

Specialist support in Hampshire for stalking, domestic abuse and sexual violence, delivering holistic services that reduce harm and increase safety for all victims and survivors of domestic abuse - women, men and children.

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Hampshire County Council provide a range of support services and information directories for children and young people, families and professionals, click the relevant link to access full information from the HCC website. Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs): Links to CSP localities, partner agencies and hate crime reporting.

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On Thursday 30 November from 2:30am - 7:30am, you won't be able to contact Childline whilst we do some important maintenance to our systems. This means that 1-2-1 chats, calling and messages to Childline will be unavailable. You'll still be able to use the Childline website for advice and information.

If you're in danger or it's an emergency, you should always call 999

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Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.

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https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/

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Celebrating 10 years of Talk PANTS!

Pantosaurus has helped 1.5 million parents Talk PANTS and keep their children safe from sexual abuse.

Developed in consultation with children, parents, carers and teachers, Talk PANTS is here to help children understand their body belongs to them, and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.

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Our PANTS activity pack makes it easy to talk to your child about staying safe from harm. With a word search, dot-to-dot and maze game, you can help them learn without using any scary words.

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Make a change today! Discover healthy recipes, food swaps, nutritional advice, and top tips and activities to help the whole family stay healthy.

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https://www.hampshirehealthyfamilies.org.uk/

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Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Barnardos are working together to deliver the Healthy Child Programme throughout Hampshire. This website provides details for access to health visiting and school nursing services, workshops for healthy eating and support with post-natal depression.

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Hampshire Specialist Parenting Support Service

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Hampshire Specialist Parenting Support Service

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Provides evidenced based parenting programmes for parents and carers who have children aged 5-17 who:
1. Have a diagnosed Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC)
2. Have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
3. Are experiencing mild-moderate conduct disorder
4. Have behaviour that challenges
5. Are teenagers displaying anti-social behaviour including child to parent violence

We offer the following programmes with wrap-around support:
Cygnet (for ASC) Core programme, with additional supporting siblings and puberty, sexual health and relationships modules
The Parent Factor for ADHD
Family Links The Nurture Programme
Teen Positive Parenting Programme
Talking Teens

Parents and carers can self enrol on to a parenting programme or can be referred by a health, education or early help professional.

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Hampshire Specialist Parenting Support Service

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Provides evidenced based parenting programmes for parents and carers who have children aged 5-17 who: 1. Have a diagnosed Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) 2. Have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 3. Are experiencing mild-moderate conduct disorder 4. Have behaviour that challenges 5.

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https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjLBUKxcmd1dkknvGTT3FRQ9pb70mGUWW

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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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.

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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.

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Campaigning for change

We fight to change laws to make society safer for children. Our Wild West Web campaign has pushed for new regulations through the Online Safety Bill to make sure websites, apps and games are safe for children to use. But the draft Bill doesn't go far enough to protect children.
Help us end the Wild West Web

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Understanding online safety is tricky for all ages - we have advice and guides to help you learn about staying safe online as a family.

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Welcome to the UK Safer Internet Centre, where you can find online safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe online.

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Promoting Online Safety for Children - The Children's Society

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Promoting Online Safety for Children - The Children's Society

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Promoting online safety for children | The Children’s Society

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Understanding online safety and the risks of being online, including grooming and bullying, is vital to keeping children safe online.

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Skip to content

What we do

Help & advice

Helpful information and guidance on a range of key online safety topics.

The Childnet Film Competition 2024 is open!

Do you know any young people aged 7-18 who are passionate about film? Can they tell a good story, create animation or inspire positive change? Would they like to make a short film about online safety?
Then enter the competition now!

Download brand new interactive resource ReelLife!

An interactive resource to help young people aged 9-14 identify the potential risks of social media.
Check out the resource...

Try out the Childnet Digital Leaders Programme today!

A youth leadership training programme empowering young people to educate their peers about online safety.
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Blog

The latest advice and guidance on key online safety issues, as well as information on the latest apps and games.

Free resources to help you teach about online safety.

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Childnet - Online safety for young people

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Helping make the internet a great and safe place for children and young people.

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What parents need to know about age appropriate content

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What parents need to know about age appropriate content

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What parents need to know about age-inappropriate content

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What parents need to know about setting up smart devices

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What parents need to know about setting up smart devices

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Sexual Trauma & Abuse Restorative Therapies

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Sexual Trauma & Abuse Restorative Therapies

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Welcome to the START website. START is a new sexual trauma service, operating across Central, West and North Hampshire, bringing together the previous RASAC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service) supporting Central, West and North Hampshire and BRASACC (Basingstoke Rape and Sexual Abuse Crisis Centre), also operating in the North of the county. RASAC has been in operation since 1995 and BRASACC since 1985.
The core service offered by START is a confidential, specialist counselling and support service for anyone who has experienced sexual abuse and/or sexual assault, resulting in sexual trauma. The services are offered to everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, cultural or religious background. The duration of counselling varies by individual, with an agreement covering the services we will deliver and the commitments to be made by the client, agreed at an initial assessment interview. The counselling service is free, within NICE guidelines, but for those living outside our core geographic areas, we offer a chargeable service.

In addition to counselling, we offer Peer Support Groups in locations across the county and therapeutic residential week-ends, focused on enabling clients to better manage the impact of their trauma. We also have Friends of START advisory panels which help us to improve our services and organise fundraising events.

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START - Sexual Trauma & Abuse Restorative Therapies

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Welcome to the START website. START is a new sexual trauma service, operating across Central, West and North Hampshire, bringing together the previous RASAC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service) supporting Central, West and North Hampshire and BRASACC (Basingstoke Rape and Sexual Abuse Crisis Centre), also operating in the North of the county.

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Preventing and Responding to Domestic and Sexual Abuse

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Preventing and Responding to Domestic and Sexual Abuse

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Stop Domestic Abuse's services cover the whole of Hampshire, including Southampton and Portsmouth.

All of our services can be accessed by calling

Our Advice Line for all parts of Hampshire is open for victims, perpetrators and their family and friends and professionals from 9.30am-5.30pm Monday-Thursday and 9.30am-5.00pm on Friday.

Emergency Refuge Accommodation - OUT OF HOURS

If you experience any difficulties getting through please contact the mobile numbers below.

If you need refuge accommodation out of our normal working hours on
Monday-Thursday evenings please call 07771 125991.

If you need to access emergency refuge accommodation at any time over a
weekend or on a bank holiday please call 07501 378314.

Please do not call these mobile numbers between 9.30am-5.30pm Monday-Thursday and 9.30am-5.00pm on Fridays (unless it is a Public Holiday) as they won't be answered.

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Our Advice Line for all parts of Hampshire is open for victims, perpetrators and their family and friends and professionals from 9.30am-5.30pm Monday-Thursday and 9.30am-5.00pm on Friday. If you experience any difficulties getting through please contact the mobile numbers below. If you need refuge accommodation out of our normal working hours on Monday-Thursday evenings please call 07771 125991.

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Text YM to 85258.

Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.

All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.

Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.

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Get Urgent Help | Support If You're Struggling

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Text YM to 85258. Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors. Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

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Where to get urgent help for mental health - NHS

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Where to get urgent help for mental health - NHS

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you are not able to speak to your local NHS urgent mental health helpline

you need help urgently for your mental health, but it's not an emergency

you're not sure what to do

111 will tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone.

You may be able to speak to a nurse, or mental health nurse, over the phone.

A GP can advise you about helpful treatments and also help you access mental health services. You may be able to refer yourself to some services.

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Where to get urgent help for mental health

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You may need urgent help for mental health for many different reasons. Some people call it a crisis, an emergency or a breakdown. It's important to know that support is available, whatever you're going through.

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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

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Shout - UK's 24/7 Crisis Text Service for Mental Health Support

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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.

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Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Read more.

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Are you feeling sad or worried about school?

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Are you feeling sad or worried about school?