News
Coronavirus: Useful information
7th May 2020
TAGS coronavirus
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We have put together a list of links to useful information and support for families with disabled children during the coronavirus crisis.
Public health advice
Government advice is available on this website. Advice will change over time, so please keep checking.
Here is a simple checklist of things to do if you think you have symptoms of coronavirus.
More detailed information is available on this NHS web page.
If your child is ill and you are not sure whether to call 111, contact your GP or take them to hospital, this guidance might help.
Information for carers
Carers UK have advice for carers, including how to protect the person you care for, contingency planning, and advice for working carers.
Sheffield Carers Centre has resources that can help you think about planning for an emergency, including what steps could be taken if carers become unwell.
Carers who are eligible for Carers Allowance can book their vaccination appointments on this website.
Practical support
Voluntary Action Sheffield have published an interactive map which shows support offered by community aid groups in Sheffield. You can zoom into your neighbourhood to see where you can get information or support; or to offer to volunteer. Please the read advice below the map before proceeding.
If your child has a social worker or a case worker via MAST, SNIPS or the Looked-After Children Team and you would like support with meeting your child’s ongoing care needs, please contact the Children with Disabilities Team on 0114 273 5368. They will be able to help you with concerns regarding prescriptions, groceries, etc.
If you or your partner are a key worker or your child is classed as “vulnerable” (e.g. if they have an EHC plan or a social worker) and they cannot safely be cared for at home, you can apply for emergency childcare using this form.
If you or the person you care for has a medical condition that makes them extremely vulnerable to coronavirus (see list), you should have received a letter from the NHS or your doctor advising you to “shield” for 12 weeks. If you don’t have family members or friends who can support you during this time, you can register for support here. This includes help with food, shopping deliveries and additional care you might need.
Disability Sheffield have created a new Covid-19 PA register. This holds the details of Personal Assistants (PAs) and other support workers (e.g. from day services) who are available for work, and can match people who need support with a potential PA. Please note, the PA register is not able to support people who are looking to recruit PAs for the first time.
Sheffield City Council have set up a coronavirus helpline. You can call 0114 273 4567 between 8.45am and 4.45pm, Monday to Friday, to get advice, signposting and referrals to help you resolve your concerns relating to the coronavirus crisis.
You can access many NHS service online. This page has information on contacting your GP, ordering repeat prescriptions, managing long-term conditions, and maintaining your mental and physical wellbeing.
Covid vaccination
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation have produced a guide to the Covid vaccination for relatives of people with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges.
This YouTube video explains the Covid vaccine for people with a learning disability and/or autism.
Carers who are eligible for Carers Allowance can book their vaccination appointments on this website.
Work and Benefits
Working Families have a list of frequently asked questions about the implications of coronavirus for working parents.
Contact have published information about coronavirus and welfare benefits for families with disabled children.
You can also contact Sheffield Occupational Health Advisory Service if you have questions about caring and work.
Looking after your mental health and emotional wellbeing
The Mental Health Foundation has advice on looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak.
MIND has useful advice about managing mental health, including information about hand washing and anxiety.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy has advice on coping with anxiety about coronavirus.
Information about who to contact if you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis is on the Sheffield Health and Social Care website.
Kooth offer a free counselling service via instant chat messaging for young people aged 11-18 years in Sheffield.
Door 43 at Sheffield Futures run a free support line to help young people (aged 12-18 years) with issues such as low mood, anxious thoughts and loneliness. Call 0808 275 8892, Monday to Friday 5pm-9pm, and Saturday 9am to 9pm.
Contact offer free, bookable 1:1 telephone appointments for parents of disabled children. Their family support advisors can provide emotional support, reassurance and strategies for improving your child’s sleep, reducing their anxiety, behaviour difficulties, and more. Book an appointment
Returning to school
Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust have produced guides for parents on supporting their child’s transition back into school after lockdown. There is a general guide for all parents, and one for parents of children with SEND.
The Sheffield Speech and Language Therapy Service has created social stories to prepare children for their return to school. These cover: Going back to school, Social Bubbles, and Washing your hands
Public transport
On 15 June, face coverings became mandatory for people travelling on public transport. Children under the age of 11 are exempt. Children under the age of three should not wear a face covering. If your young person is over the age of 11 and unable to wear a face covering due to a disability or health condition, you can apply for a Journey Assistance Card from First Bus and Stagecoach that you can show to the driver.
Bereavement support
Healthwatch Sheffield have compiled an overview of organisations and groups that can provide bereavement support.
Listening Ear provide a counselling helpline for anyone who has lost a friend, relative or loved one, from any cause. Call 0800 048 5224 or use the referral form on their website.
Specific conditions and coronavirus
Epilepsy Action have published frequently asked questions about epilepsy and coronavirus.
ADHD Action have published ten tips for households affected by ADHD.
The Down’s Syndrome Association has page with advice on coronavirus.
Rethink have published advice for carers of those with severe mental illness.
The International OCD Foundation have published advice for parents of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The National Autistic Society has published guidance and useful information for autistic people and those who support them.
Diabetes UK have published advice for people with diabetes.
SMiRA have published a guide for parents of children with selective mutism.
SCIE have published a guide for carers of children and adults with autism and/or learning disabilities.
Children with EHC plans
The Coram Children’s Legal Centre has published a useful summary of the rights of children with EHC plans during the crisis.
Sheffield City Council has published information for families regarding temporary changes to the law relating to EHC plans.
Direct payments and Personal Assistants (PAs)
Sheffield City Council have published FAQs about support from children’s social care, including questions about Direct Payments.
Disability Shefffield have published FAQs about individual employers and PAs.
Independent Lives have published advice for people who employ Personal Assistants.
Information and resources for children and young people
Easy Read advice has been published by Mencap and Easy Read Online.
BBC newsround is a good source of information for older children.
BBC Bitesize have published a toolkit for parents of children with SEND, which includes advice on supporting your child’s wellbeing, top tips, activities and personal stories.
Buzz Company have published a workbook about coronavirus.
Mindheart have published a cartoon in several languages.
Sheffield Children’s Hospital have a page where you can download communication boards and social stories with Widgit symbols.
Twinkl have free resources for making visual timetables and a free ebook explaining coronavirus.
Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler has illustrated a free information book about coronavirus for primary school age children.
Widgit offer free 30-day access to Widgit Online, where you can create resources like visual timetables or communication books.
Kooth offer a free online counselling service for young people aged 11-18 years in Sheffield.
Door 43 at Sheffield Futures run a free support line to help young people (aged 12-18 years) with issues such as low mood, anxious thoughts and loneliness. Call 0808 275 8892, Monday to Friday 5pm-9pm, and Saturday 9am to 9pm.
Grampian CAMHS have created Covid resources for under 12’s, teenagers and parents.
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust has produced a set of videos about coronavirus for people with learning disabilities. The videos cover things like wearing a face mask, having a swab test, planning your day, social distancing, plus a host of relaxation techniques. See playlist
Talking to your child about coronavirus
The British Psychological Society has published a advice on talking to your children about coronavirus.
The Mental Health Foundation has advice on talking with your children about news that might be scary.
Young Minds have published advice on talking to your child about coronavirus, which includes ten top tips from their parent helpline.
Place2Be have an article about answering questions about coronavirus from children.
Social stories can also help you to talk to your children about coronavirus.
The Anna Freud Centre has videos for parents, children and schools/colleges, as well as a booklet about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and students during periods of disruption.
Keeping active
The Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Service has published videos with ideas for keeping children active at home.
Activities for very young / non-verbal children
The Sheffield Autism Education Team have information about sensory play, movement breaks and Dough Disco.
The Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Service has created a video with ideas for sensory messy play in the bath.
Variety have produced a guide for making your own sensory kit using everyday household items.
Sheffield Speech and Language Therapy Service has created a series of short videos called “Weekend words”. The videos provide ideas to develop your child’s speech, language and communication through play, daily routines and having fun together at home. A new video is published every Saturday.
Soundabout run live, interactive, multi-sensory music-making sessions on Facebook for people with severe and profound learning disabilities, and live music-making sessions on Youtube for young children with SEND aged 0-5 years.
A note about our services
In line with public health advice, we have cancelled all our events and meetings, and our staff are working from home. You can still contact us on our office number 0300 321 4721, through this website, by emailing enquiries@sheffieldparentcarerforum.org.uk and through Facebook.
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