Tag: Barnardo’s

Barnardo’s: Children need support as they return to school

Children will need significant emotional support as they return to school, Barnardo’s says, as a poll for the leading national children’s charity suggests hundreds of thousands of children could refuse to go while others feel nervous, upset and scared.

The new poll suggests that the children of more than 440,000 parents across the UK could be refusing to return to school.

Almost a quarter of GB parents of children aged 18 and under surveyed (23%) say their children are nervous about going back to the classroom, and 4% say their children are refusing to return.

A tenth of the 1,000 parents surveyed by YouGov said their children were scared about it and 5% said their children are upset about going back to school.

Barnardo’s says it is vital for all schools to be allowed to have a “readjustment period” of at least a term where teachers can prioritise staff and pupil wellbeing, instead of being back to ‘business as usual’ from day one. 

The charity also says the Government must ensure schools have the tools, skills and resources to support children and give a higher priority to their mental health and wellbeing in the longer-term.

Barnardo’s is calling on teachers to talk to their pupils about how they are feeling and what they need to make their return to school easier. To help with this the UK’s leading children’s charity has produced two booklets of wellbeing exercises to help children reflect on life during lockdown.

There may also be children who need additional support from Barnardo’s See, Hear, Respond partnership which brings together all the people required to help a child or young person return to school to identify the practical and emotional support they need.

Covid-19 outbreak, as well as side effects of the measures to contain it, have exposed the country’s children and young people to an unprecedented level of trauma, loss and adversity.

Some children and young people will have experienced domestic abuse, poverty or child abuse for the first time. Others will be grieving for loved ones, and we know the virus has disproportionately affected BAME communities.

Some children will be fearful of catching the virus and others will be experiencing separation anxiety after spending so much time at home with their family.

The Barnardo’s pamphlets are useful resources to help teachers work with their pupils on how they are feeling, managing change, and changes to their routine and relationships. Both are available to download from the Barnardo’s website.

Barnardo’s See, Hear, Respond (SHR) programme, funded by the Department for Education, and delivered in partnership with more than 70 national and local charities, is aimed at children and young people in England who may have become vulnerable because of coronavirus.

It supports them with issues around bullying, hate crime and racism or anxiety. It also works with children moving into secondary school, or who have been excluded or suspended, and who may also need significant help. 

Trained therapists work closely with children, parents or carers, and their school, to help them get back in the classroom.

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said: “Returning to school for the first time in months will undoubtedly be nerve-wracking for many children, their parents and their teachers. 

“The pandemic and lockdown have been hugely traumatic for young people – separation from friends, anxiety about the virus and financial pressures at home have taken a serious toll on their mental health.

“It’s vital that children go back to the classroom, but with so much continued uncertainty about the virus, it’s natural that some will be fearful – above and beyond the usual first-day jitters.

“The Government must now work with schools to reassure children and their families that schools are safe – otherwise some pupils may simply not return. Messages also need to be culturally sensitive, reflecting the heightened concern amongst BAME communities, who have been hardest hit by COVID.

“When classes do begin, teachers must be supported to focus on mental health and wellbeing, so children can address feelings of trauma, bereavement and anxiety, and readjust to being in the classroom. 

“Lockdown has been especially hard for vulnerable children who are now facing not only an ‘attainment gap’ but also a ‘trauma gap’ compared to their classmates. Barnardo’s specially trained staff are available through our See, Hear, Respond service to support them, and I urge teachers and parents to get in touch.”

Any teacher, child, young person, parent or carer can call the support line on 08001 577015 to request help.

Professionals can refer children and young people at www.barnardos.org.uk/see-hear-respond. 

Children, young people, carers and parents can find support at www.barnardos.org.uk/c19

Appendix 1 – Back to school coping strategies from Barnardo’s (taken from the booklets available to download from the Barnardo’s website)

For primary school children

Ask them to write down some words about how they are feeling and either draw or write what their face looks like
– Ask them whether their feeling is comfortable, uncomfortable, a bit of both
– Ask them to explain why they think they feel this way
Remind them it is okay to feel all feelings. There is no such thing as a bad feeling.

Tell them if they are feeling sad, angry, worried or frustrated they can take steps to calm down.
–      Ask them to write down some things that make them feel calm

Talk to them about some of the things that have changed because of the pandemic like not being able to hug and keeping a safe distance
–      Ask them to list which ones are in their control and which ones are not

For secondary school children

Ask them to keep a monthly mood tracker to see how they are feeling in the morning and evening of each day.
– Remind them all feelings are okay but if they notice a pattern of low mood it can be helpful to talk to someone about it

Ask them to write down their go-to strategies for when they are feeling stressed.

Ask them to write down what they do, or how they feel, when they are at their best.
–      Remind them if they are not feeling at their best they could talk to someone they trust and see if they could help make a change.

Schools: Time For A Clean Slate, says Barnardo’s

Barnardo’s warns of missed opportunity if Government does not change education system when schools reopen

The Government could miss a once in a generation opportunity to put mental health and wellbeing at the heart of the education system if it does not make changes when schools reopen their gates.

This is the warning from Barnardo’s in its report Time for a Clean Slate: Children’s Mental Health at the Heart of Education, which is released today.

The UK’s largest children’s charity works in schools across the country supporting pupils with their emotional health and wellbeing and says the Government must realise it cannot make them return to the ‘business as usual’ from the pre-pandemic days.

This is because the Covid-19 outbreak, as well as side effects of the measures to contain it, have exposed the country’s children and young people to an unprecedented level of trauma, loss and adversity. 

Some children, who were already extremely vulnerable will have been badly affected. 

For example, children and young people living in lockdown or socially isolating in challenging and unsafe home environments may have lost their ‘safe space’ at school. Some children and young people will have experienced domestic abuse, poverty or child abuse for the first time. 

Others will be grieving for loved ones, and we know the virus has disproportionately affected BAME communities.

Some children will be fearful of catching the virus and others will be experiencing separation anxiety.

As schools start to return, Barnardo’s says they should be allowed to use at least a term as a ‘readjustment period’ where they can be flexible with the curriculum, so they can work through the emotional effects of the pandemic.

This would enable teachers to help their pupils reintegrate into the school environment, re-socialise with their friends, and change the structure of the day so there is more of a focus on pastoral care, play, creative outlets and outdoor activities.

The call comes as the results of a survey, undertaken by Barnardo’s for the report, revealed 88% of school staff said the pandemic is likely to have an effect on the mental health and wellbeing of their pupils.

And 26% said they did not feel confident they had the tools, skills or resources to support their pupils in this way.

Barnardo’s would also like to see the Government act on the proposal by the chairman of the Education Select Committee, Robert Halfon, to introduce a catch up pupil premium for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils.

But this funding should not just be about ‘catching up’ academically and schools should be able to use it flexibly to support these pupils in a holistic way, including for support with mental health and wellbeing.

And the UK’s leading children’s charity is calling on the Government to go much further than this in the longer term.

It wants the Government to seize this opportunity to bring about a sea change in the education system – to prioritise child welfare and wellbeing, so that it is on a par with academic achievement.

With the current system weighing heavily on the side of academic performance, Barnardo’s is concerned that schools are finding it difficult to meet the needs of the most vulnerable pupils and to prioritise welfare and wellbeing.

This echoes the views of the school staff surveyed, with more than two thirds (67%) saying they want to see changes in the curriculum structure and exams process.

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said: “When it comes to this pandemic, we are all in the same storm, but we are not in the same boat.

“We know children who were already vulnerable before the crisis have been badly affected, and with families now under increasing financial and emotional pressure, more children are now living in poverty and at risk of abuse. Many more are struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health problems, now largely hidden from the view of teachers and professionals.

“When children return to school, there must be additional resource available to help overcome not just the ‘attainment gap’ but also the  ‘trauma gap’ faced by vulnerable pupils.

“The Government should also take this once in a generation opportunity to rebalance the school system, recognising that children rely on school to keep them safe and well, just as much as they need it to pass exams.

“We urge the Government to work with schools, local authorities, the NHS and charities to place wellbeing at the heart of the curriculum and school culture, so that every child has the support they need to thrive.”

Time for a Clean Slate Mental Health at the Heart of Education – Barnardo’s

Young BAME carers struggle to get right support, Barnardo’s reveals

Young Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic children who care for ill or disabled relatives are more likely than other young carers to be isolated from support services, a new report by Barnardo’s has revealed.

Continue reading Young BAME carers struggle to get right support, Barnardo’s reveals

Children’s charity celebrates Adoption Week Scotland

Children’s charity Barnardo’s Scotland is supporting Scottish Adoption Week, running from 20 – 26 November, celebrating adoption in Scotland; raising awareness; dispelling myths and encouraging prospective parents in Edinburgh and the Lothians to come forward. Continue reading Children’s charity celebrates Adoption Week Scotland

Volunteer opportunities with Barnardo’s

The school holidays are well and truly over, some children started school for the first time and for others school, college and university life is a thing of the past. And at the other end of the spectrum, planning for retirement is front of mind – But all of these life changes have one thing in common – opportunity!

Barnardo’s Scotland is offering volunteering opportunities in their 100+ shops across the country.  Whether you’re dipping your toe back in to the workplace; want to make good use of extra hours; share your experience or looking for a change of direction, Barnardo’s Scotland would love to hear from you.

The charity currently has volunteers nationwide from all walks of life, ages and abilities, but is keen to recruit more people willing to donate their time.

Deriel Watt, area business manager for Barnardo’s Scotland shops in Edinburgh is keen to hear from people willing to volunteer in one of the seven shops across the city including shops in Leith, Meadowbank, East Craigs or Stockbridge.

She said: “Volunteers are crucial to us.  Volunteers are vital to running our business; in fact we simply couldn’t exist without them. They are an important part of our success and are an integral part of Barnardo’s Scotland.

“Volunteers can gain valuable experience and a lot of enjoyment out of joining their local store team.”

Volunteers get involved for many reasons – to support Barnardo’s Scotland’s work and cause; to do something unusual and inspiring or to learn new skills and improve their CV. It is also an opportunity to meet new people.

Billy Farrell, retail volunteer manager, said:  “Volunteering is fun and rewarding. It can also be a stepping stone to a new career and help you to gain the skills you need for a new role or job. Depending on a person’s interests and skills, Barnardo’s Scotland can find the right volunteering opportunity to suit you.”

*Barnardo’s Shop at 150 Leith Walk is holding a volunteering networking evening on Thursday 28 September.

All Barnardo’s volunteers are given full training and support. If you are interested in volunteering in a shop, please ring 07768 707 384 for details of your nearest store or go to www.barnardos.org.uk/volunteering.

Childrens’s charity offers exclusive Forth Bridge experience

Your View at the Forth Rail Bridge

Forth Rail Bridge

Thousands of people may have been unsuccessful in the new Queensberry Crossing Experience ballot, but Barnardo’s Scotland is offering an equally exclusive experience promising spectacular views of all three bridges and beyond.  Continue reading Childrens’s charity offers exclusive Forth Bridge experience

Born To Fail? Barnardo’s to launch ‘Believe in Me’ campaign

Wake up call for parents as 87% of young people in Scotland today say they lack confidence and doubt they will succeed in life.

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That’s the stark findings from the UK’s number one children’s charity, Barnardo’s.  

  • 87% of 11-18 year olds lack confidence.
  • Only 20% feel confident about the future
  • 64% say grown-ups are ‘not very good’ at telling them they believe they can succeed.
  • 45% of parents agree there’s more pressure on young people today than when they were young, while 65% admit their expectations of children range from high to too high.

The new research is a wake-up call for parents and adults about the importance of expressing belief in children and young people. The majority of children asked said that a supportive adult – be that a parent or other family member, carer, teacher or employer – is the most important thing to help them pursue their goals and have a bright future.

64% say grown-ups they know are ‘not very good’ at telling them they believe they can succeed.  And almost two thirds of the parents questioned accepted that their expectations of children are high or too high.

The survey on behalf of Barnardo’s shows that British youngsters feel increasing pressure to perform in all aspects of their lives, but don’t necessarily have the support they crave to help them cope.

Martin Crewe, Scotland Director of Barnardo’s, said: “Barnardo’s has been supporting children for 150 years, and today we help 248,000 young people and families every year.  We know how vital it is our young people believe in themselves, and much of our work across our 996 services hopefully gives them the confidence to believe that anything is possible.”

Four thousand secondary school children and parents were surveyed and the results were announced as Barnardo’s unveils its new Ten Year Strategy to help 300,000 more vulnerable children and their families across the country.  At the heart of the strategy is the Barnardo’s founding ethos that no child that needs help is ever turned away.

Barnardo’s is setting out its ambitious ten year strategy to transform the lives of millions of young people from every background across the country in front of an invited audience at the Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood later today. It will also launch a major new marketing campaign, called ‘Believe in Me’, to support the strategy and stress the importance of believing in children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wodHu-I5Xg&authuser=0