COVID 19 Children and Families Information
Welcome to our page with information for Families and Children.
Looking for activities for children to do during lockdown ... Take a look at our childrens activities page.
Sutton charities, Sutton council, and health services have come together to explain what support is available for families this November, and throughout winter.
Please have a read and connect with someone if you need support.
For family information and advice, call us on: 020 8770 6000
Family Information Service, Sutton Open Monday – Friday 9am - 5pm
Call us if you want to find out where to get support and the latest information about services for you.
We are working together to provide the right support at the right time for children and families.
If you need help as a result of Covid-19, call the Sutton Community Hub on 020 8770 5000, option 6.
Click the image on the left to download the full support information
Key service information
- Health visiting teams are providing home visits and virtual visits and there are virtual support groups available each week.
- School nurses will still be there to support children and families of school-aged children in order to meet their physical and emotional health needs.
- 4 Children’s Centres will remain open and will provide daily drop-in parenting support sessions, Monday - Friday: at Tweeddale Children’s Centre, Green Oak Children’s Centre, Amy Johnson Children’s Centre and Thomas Wall Children’s Centre.
- Libraries are still offering access to public PCs (45 bookable minute sessions) alongside pre-packed (Covid-19 safe) children’s books. We’re also offering a ‘Select and Collect’ service for library users alongside digital resources which include virtual Rhymetimes and Storytimes.
- The Sutton Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop will remain open. People are able to leave their homes to visit the One Stop Shop and get the support they need - no appointment needed - just drop in. The One Stop Shop is every Wednesday, 9.30am - 11.30am, at Sutton Baptist Church, 21 Cheam Road, Sutton SM1 1SN
Advice for parents during coronavirus
Whilst coronavirus is infectious to children it is rarely serious. If your child is unwell it is likely to be a non-coronavirus illness, rather than coronavirus itself.
Whilst it is extremely important to follow Government advice during this period, it can be confusing to know what to do when your child is unwell or injured. Remember that NHS 111, GPs and hospitals are still providing the same safe care that they have always done. Here is some advice to help
Click here to download the poster on the left
Mental Health
The Mental Health Foundation has put together a webpage that provides information on different ways to get help for your mental health and how to access this support. They have also put together some specific advice on how to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.
Any adults who need crisis support over the weekend please see the following UK helplines:
Samaritans: Call 116 123 for free, anytime
Crisis text line: Text SHOUT to 85258
CALM (for men): Call 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year
Sutton CAMHS continues to provide a service to young people and their families during this difficult time. They will only invite young people in for a face-to-face appointment when they think this is essential. All other contact will be made remotely. They continue to offer a crisis/duty line Mon- Fri 9am-5pm on 020 3513 3800 which young people or families can contact for advice and support if they have concerns. Outside of office hours the number to call is the mental health support line on 0800 028 8000.
A useful guide about improving mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other sources of information and resources which might be helpful for families include:
Anna Freud – National Centre for Children and Families advice on Coronavirus
Anna Freud – Resources for Self-Care Activities
British Association for Counseling Psychotherapy (BACP) – Coping with anxiety
Carers UK – Coronavirus Guidance
Place 2Be Improving Children’s Mental Health - Coronavirus: Helpful information to answer questions from Children
Mental Health Foundation: Talking to you children about scary world news
Young Minds: Looking after your mental health whilst self-isolating
Mind: Coronavirus and your well-being
The Children’s Society: Coronavirus Advice and Support
Save the Children: Relaxation activities to do with children
Save the Children: 7 tips on how to talk to kids about coronavirus
University of Reading: Supporting children and young people with worries about Covid-19
Podcast with Dr John Goldin (Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist) on how to talk to children about coronavirus
Action for Happiness: Coping Calendars