COVID-19 – resources for parents and carers

https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/covid-19-resources-parents-carers

COVID-19 syndrome

Most children and teenagers do not become seriously ill with COVID-19. But doctors have seen a very small number of patients with an unusual condition which seems to be linked to the virus.

Paediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (called PIMS-TS or PIMS for short) is very rare, and most children will not be seriously affected.

We’ve looked at the current evidence and worked with doctors to write a guide for parents, carers, teachers and others who look after children and young people. 

See guide on PIMS

Talking to children and young people about COVID-19

Guidance from Children’s Commissioners

Children’s Commissioners across the UK have created guidance especially for children and young people:

• England

Stay at home activities

• RCPCH & Us has stay at home activities including:-
•  children and young people’s health diary to write or draw feelings and questions and
• an activity pack that has fun things to do at home.
• Change4Life has ideas for indoor games and activities. 

Tips for parents

• Young Minds has tips on how to talk to your child about the virus.
• NSPCC has advice on talking to children who are worried about COVID-19.

Books, posters and colouring in to download

• You can download a poster that explains COVID-19 to children below – shared with permission and thanks to University Hospitals Southampton NHSFT.
• Monkey Wellbeing has posters and colouring in resources for children that include explaining why healthcare workers have to wear protective clothing, why visiting might be restricted and how you can keep in touch. They also have a Thank You NHS rainbow poster for you to colour in.
• Coronavirus – A Book for Children (PDF) which is illustrated by Axel Scheffler and has input from Professor Graham Medley (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) is available and free to download.
• Dave the Dog is Worried about Coronavirus (PDF) is a book for young children to download by Nurse Dotty Books.
• My Hero is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19 is available to download in 30 languages.

Podcast

• Dr Ranj (paediatrician and TV doctor) has a one-off podcast where he answers children’s questions on coronavirus. 

Online resources

• NIHR Children and Young People Med-Tech Cooperative has links to lots of useful COVID-19 related resources for families and young people that cover wellbeing, mental health, physical activity and learning.
• Young Scot has brought together lots of helpful resources to help young people at this challenging time – some of it is Scotland-based, but most is helpful wherever you are in the UK.

Medicines advice

• We have advice for parents on anti-inflammatory medicines (including ibuprofen) and COVID-19.
• Medicines for Children provides practical and reliable information about giving medicines to your child.
• WellChild, a UK charity for children and parents with complex needs, has information for parents and carer, which covers treatment plans, carers, hospital appointments and signposts to other resources.

Visiting hospital

• If your child is in hospital or has a hospital appointment there is advice from NHS England and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland about visiting. More advice will be available from your child’s hospital ward or department.

Staying safe advice from UK Governments

England

• The government has up to date guidance about COVID-19. This includes social distancing for everyone and FAQs on what you can and can’t do, They also have advice on staying safe outside your home.
• If you or a member of your household have the symptoms of COVID-19 follow advice from Public Health England. This includes information on how to get tested and contact tracing. There is also guidance for households with grandparents, parents and children living together. 
• To check if you have coronavirus symptoms and for advice on what to do if you have go to NHS 111 online.
• There is guidance from Public Health England on shielding people most likely to get unwell if they catch coronavirus.

Condition and situation specific resources for families and children

Autism and ADHD

• Paediatrician Dr Max Davie, shared tips in this short film to help people with ADHD stay well.
• The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health has a podcast from Dr Ann Ozsivadijan and Dr Marianna Murin called ‘Autism, a parent’s guide‘.

Cancer

• The Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group has guidance for children and young people with cancer undergoing treatment. 

Cardiology 

• The British Heart Foundation have information on how Coronavirus can affect people with heart or circulatory disease.

Crohn’s and colitis

• Crohn’s and Colitis UK has frequently asked questions on coronavirus, including specific information for children and young people and advice on immunosuppressive medication. 

Diabetes

• Diabetes UK are providing regular updates on coronavirus and diabetes.

Disability and complex health needs

• Contact, a charity for families with disabled children, has an information page on COVID-19, covering education, welfare benefits and the Coronavirus Bill, and more.
• WellChild, a UK charity for children and parents with complex needs, has advice about what to do if your child is unwell but not with COVID-19.
• The Council for Disabled Children has a COVID-19 support and guidance webpage, including easy read posters about COVID-19 and information from other organisations.
• Special Needs Jungle has a collection of information for children with special needs, including how to create an effective space for home learning and advice on your child’s Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).
• Together for Short Lives has a set of frequently asked questions for families of children with serious life-limiting conditions. 
• The British Academy of Childhood Disability has resources for those caring for children with medical complexity or a life-limiting condition. 
• Council for Disabled Children has compiled resources, support and guidance about coronavirus for children and young people.
• Public Health England has an easy read factsheet on looking after your health and body (PDF), which can be used for young people with learning disabilities.
• NSPCC has advice for parents and carers on supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• The Challenging Behaviour Foundation has information and resources for the families of people with severe learning disabilities.   

Epilepsy

• Epilepsy Action has a set of frequently asked questions for people with epilepsy.
• Young Epilepsy have a dedicated space for young people called the Channel which has information on COVID-19.

Mental health and wellbeing

• Public Health England has guidance for parents and carers on supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing, including advice for families of children with physical health issues, learning disabilities and autism, plus those accessing mental health services and young carers. 
• YoungMinds has advice for children and young people about what to do if they are anxious about coronavirus. 
• Every Mind Matters (NHS and Public Health England) has information on looking after your mental health, including supporting children and young people at this time.
• The World Health Organization has a factsheet on helping children to cope with stress (PDF) during this outbreak.
• Parent Club has advice on how to protect your family and how to cope with staying at home.
• Anna Freud (National Centre for Children and Families) has advice and selfcare resources for young people to support their wellbeing. 
• Childline has provided 10 tips to cope during lockdown for children and young people if they’re feeling unwell, worried or upset.
• The University of Reading and University of Oxford have developed advice for parents and carers to help support children and young people with worries about COVID-19. 
• Q Well provides online counselling and wellbeing for adults who may need support during this period. 
• NSPCC has information and advice for parents and carers on a range of subjects that help to keep children safe and support the wellbeing of families during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Overseas visitors

• Diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19 is available free of charge to all overseas visitors including anyone living in the UK without permission. More information is available in guidance from Public Health England.
• NHS Inform has information about free treatment for COVID-19 for all overseas visitors to Scotland, including for refugees and asylum seekers. 

Newborn babies

• NHS England has information about coronavirus for parents of newborn babies, including signs and symptoms to look out for and how to reduce your baby’s risk of catch coronavirus.
• The Institute of Health Visiting and RCPCH have published advice for parents about the 6 to 8 week check for newborn babies during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding 

• The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has information for pregnant women and their families on COVID-19 and pregnancy.
• RCPCH has advice on pregnancy and signposted to breastfeeding / infant feeding support, including advice for mothers with possible coronavirus symptoms.
• NHS Inform (Scotland) has information on COVID-19: Pregnancy and newborn babies.

Renal 

• The Renal Association and the British Association for Paediatric Nephrology have developed information and guidance for children on haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and immune suppression (including renal transplants). 
• Kidney Care UK have coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for people with kidney disease including children.

Respiratory

• The British Lung Foundation has provided information and guidance for people with asthma and lung conditions. 
• Asthma UK has health advice for people with asthma, including shielding advice for high risk groups and help for those feeling anxious. 
• Cystic Fybrosis Trust has a question and answers document for people caring for someone with cystic fybrosis. 

Sensory

• Sign Health has provided sign language videos of the Government’s daily press conferences, alongside latest guidance and resources. 

Social care

• Cafcass has guidance for families on effective co-parenting and childcare arrangements, including information about what to do if you have concerns for your child’s safety.

Young carers

• CarersUK has guidance with resources for carers, including how to create a contingency plan and protect those that you care for.

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Other advice for parents and families

Advice if you are struggling because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you are struggling because of COVID –19 you can find helpful information on the UK Government website. This includes if you are feeling unsafe, worried about going into work, paying the bills, getting food or having somewhere to live or are concerned about your or someone else’s mental health.  

Keeping children safe from accidents at home

• It’s always important to prevent accidental injuries, many of which occur in the home, and especially at this time. The Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents has helpful advice for keeping children safe and a home and garden safety checklist.  

Coping with a crying baby

• During this challenging time stress levels at home may increase. ICON has helpful and reassuring advice and a leaflet (PDF) on coping with a crying baby.

Safeguarding children

• NSPCC has a range of guidance for keeping children safe from harm, including reporting child abuse and neglect. 

E-safety

• The UK Government has advice and support for parents and carers on how to keep children safe online. 
• Think U Know is a resource for children of all ages to learn more about how they can be protected online. 
• The Children’s Commisioner has produced a digital safety and wellbeing kit for parents.
• Internet Matters offers tips and advice for parents on how to keep their children safe online.

Education and exams

• The UK Government has advice on educating your child at home. 
• Indoor Explorer has been developed by paediatricians and provides a range of learning activities for children whilst they are at home. 
• In England, the Department for Education has provided information on the cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A Level exams in 2020. 

Explaining bereavement to children

• NHS has advice to use when a child has lost a loved one or a loved one is dying. 
• The University of Oxford has produced guidance on how to tell children that someone has died, which you can download below.
• Similar advice is also available from Child Bereavement UK and Winston’s Wish. 

Face coverings for children

• The UK Government has advice on the use of face-coverings in children and those who may find it difficult to manage them correctlyin their guidance on staying safe outside your home. Further advice on the use of face coverings is available for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Sleep

• Changes from your usual routine can affect your families’ sleep patterns. Here are some tips from a clinical psychologist in the Evelina London sleep team, about how to help maintain sleep quality.

Financial advice and support

• Citizens Advice has a range of information, including: help you may be access, paying bills, work arrangements and children’s education during COVID-19.
• Turn 2 Us has guidance for accessing benefits during the coronavirus outbreak.

Helplines

For everyone 

• NSPCC provide a Helpline that is staffed by trained professionals who can provide expert advice and support if you’re concerned about a child, if you’re a parent or carer looking for advice or if you’re a professional in need of information and guidance.
• Shout provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text for anyone in crisis. You can text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer 
• The Samaritans have a free helpline that is available 24/7 for anyone who is having a difficult time or is worried about someone else. You can call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

For children and young people

• ChildLine provides a helpline for any child who is worried or needs help. You can call 0800 1111 any time for free or have an online chat with a counsellor.
• The Mix provides a free confidential helpline, crisis text line and online service for under 25s that aims to find young people the best help, whatever the problem.   

For parents and carers

• Young Minds has a Parents’ and Carers’ Helpline if you are worried about a child or young person’s behaviour or mental health. 
• Contact run a free helpline for parents and carers in the UK with a disabled child aged from birth to 25 who want to talk through their issues with an expert adviser.

Surveys and research

The University of Plymouth has launched a nationwide survey to find out how the COViD-19 Stay Home advice has influenced how parents seek help for a sick or injured child. You can take part in the survey or find out more here.

Details of surveys and research looking at children and young people’s experience of COVID-19 can be found here.