WANT THE BEST FOR YOUR CHILD?

“Today even fewer children come in – just nine. They are happy enough and are enjoying the activities. One of our most vulnerable year 7 students, who had been managing only two hours a day after a long period of school-refusing, did the whole of yesterday, does the whole of today, and I actually see him smiling. For him, this could be the best thing that has happened.”

https://amp.theguardian.com/education/2020/mar/28/i-am-deeply-scared-for-so-many-children-diary-of-a-headteacher-in-lockdown?__twitter_impression=true ... See more

An inner-city head closes her blinds for a cry after a week in which staff have had to buy families electricity and food

“Millions of British people are already struggling to get the food they need and are falling into debt because of the coronavirus pandemic, a survey carried out this week suggests. The Food Foundation, which commissioned the YouGov poll, said the outbreak would lead rapidly to a hunger crisis unless the government acted immediately to get food aid and money to the most vulnerable and isolated people.”

https://amp.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/28/families-borrowing-buy-food-week-of-lockdown?__twitter_impression=true ... See more

Food Foundation warns of crisis as YouGov poll reports 1.5m people worrying about hunger

Thank you to The Center for Social Justice for this nifty infographic explaining what we're doing at Kids Matter to respond to vulnerable children and families living in lockdown👇

#supportsmallcharities #FightTheFear #COFIGHT19 ... See more

“For younger children, the opportunity to play face-to-face, to be tactile and to be close has disappeared overnight, and that is a huge loss to them – and suddenly they have been thrown into an online world.

“My worry is for all those children who are already withdrawn, and who don’t believe that anyone can really help them, that they will no longer have the structure and routine of school to keep them safe.” ... See more

Childline sees ‘huge spike’ in number of counselling sessions linked to pandemic

Have you spotted a rainbow 🌈 of HOPE in your street?

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/amp/52034134

Lots of you have been drawing colourful rainbows to put in your windows to bring a smile to all who see them from the street - and we want to see them! Send them in to Newsround. ... See more

Check out today's 'parent focus' blog – out ever Monday at kidsmatter.org.uk/blogs! Today Mary Stephens talks about Routine & Rhythm in challenging times👇👍🙌

#FightTheFear #COFIGHT19 ... See more

Routine and rhythm: an approach to finding balance in difficult times 30/03/2020 In a time when much is uncertain, a routine can be a grounding force – for parents and carers, children and families in general. Ex-teacher and KM Partnership Manager Mary Stephens offers some tips on how to do adapt ... ... See more

With many children’s centres, nurseries, libraries and youth services closed down or cut, “there will be the best part of 1 million children who have needed a social worker in the past three years now becoming invisible to professionals, just as their families come under unprecedented strain”, adds Longfield.

https://amp.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/25/coronavirus-puts-vulnerable-uk-children-greater-risk-campaigners-warn?__twitter_impression=true ... See more

School closures remove vital safety net. But Covid-19 means there will be even fewer foster carers to pick up the pieces

For some positive vibes this Friday morning, check out our Kids Matter newsletter👇🙌 If you're a subscriber it'll be in your inbox and if you would like to subscribe, get in touch here or at kidsmatter.org.uk😃 ... See more

"Thank you so much for the very supportive Email. We are fortunate in having Laura who, with the suspension of face-to-face activity has time to create really good ways of working in our community which she is doing with enthusiasm and good grace. I know that the Kids Matter resources you are making... ... See more

Like us, our friends National Parenting Initiative are in the midst of creating an area on their website focused on supporting families through the Coronavirus. Here’s one such article, about nurturing your marriage/relationship during this time! ... See more

The NPI parenting programmes aim to turn good parents into great parents by providing a range of parenting courses throughout the UK, offering parenting advice, support, and practical parenting tips. ... See more

“While the majority of single parents are in work – 70% – many are in lower paid or so-called unskilled jobs, or rely on income from insecure work such as zero-hour contracts.

Many fear the impact on their finances from the virus could be devastating if they can no longer work or lose their jobs.”

https://m.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/coronavirus-single-parents-hit-hard-financially_uk_5e75062bc5b63c3b64900ef6/?__twitter_impression=true ... See more

Juggling work, homeschooling and household tasks, single parents, particularly women, will suffer a disproportionate impact from the Covid-19 pandemic. ... See more