Other information for Parents, Carers and the Community
There are many Eastern European families in Norfolk who may not understand, due to their cultural differences, what is classed as a safeguarding risk in the UK. The Cultural Competency team have created the following translation cards for the four most popular Eastern European languages, to advise families what to do if they have any contact with the local authority around safeguarding.
Are you worried that your child is being bullied?
Bullying UK have a really useful website with lots of advice on what you can do.
Are you affected by someone else’s drug and alcohol use? This leaflet explains what you can do and how to get help.
There is help and support available for children, young people and families on tackling drug and alcohol issues. Go to the Unity Service for more information how the Matthew Project can help.
For more information on drugs you can also visit the Talk to Frank website.
Are you wondering how best to support, and perhaps advocate, for your child? Norfolk LGBT+ Project provide advice and support for families of LGBT+ individuals. They understand the confusion that some parents may have when your child comes out to you, they are here to support you and answer any questions that you may have. Go to Norfolk LGBT+ for more information.
There is a new national initiative called Shelf Help available in all of Norfolk’s public libraries to support young people 13-18 and their friends and families if they are dealing with mental health issues and to raise awareness of common issues, including advice and information about issues like anxiety, stress and OCD, and difficult experiences like bullying, body image and exams. Go to Reading Well for more information on Shelf Help.
Useful websites and resources on online safety to help keep your child safe when they are online:
UK Safer Internet Centre
Provides awareness and support to children and young people, parents and carers, and the children’s workforce.
CEOP-Child Exploitation and Online Protection
The homepage for the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. Provides information on staying safe online, offenders that the police are looking for and also provides a facility to report abusive contact.
Childnet
A charity who helps make the internet a safer place for children and young people. There are top tips, games, and online safety advice to help you get the best out of the internet and stay safe online.
Parents and Carers resource sheet | Childnet
Information and resources for parents to keep child safe online. Along with signposting information, reporting and top tips.
Parents' and Carers' Guide: Let's talk about life online | Childnet
The Guide gives advice on how to discuss online safety, how to handle difficult conversations or situations. Each section has examples of questions to use to start conversations around safe internet use, and key messages to share with your child.
Thinkuknow.co.uk
This website, developed by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, provides information for young people on how to stay safe online.
Get Safe Online
Provides advice on online safety, and has specific sections aimed at parents, educators and young people.
Internet Watch Foundation
Provides information on policy and legislation regarding internet safety. Provides a facility for reporting illegal internet content.
Internet Matters
https://www.internetmatters.org
Supports parents and professionals with all aspects of children’s digital well-being. Includes numerous guides and resources sorted by age from pre-school through to teenagers.
Online Grooming- a guide for Parents
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/online-grooming-guide-what-parents-need-to-know/
Protecting children from online pornography
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/protecting-children-from-online-pornography/
Tackling Online Hate and Trolling https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/tackling-online-hate-and-trolling/
NSPCC-Keeping Children Safe Online Webpage
Keeping children safe online | NSPCC
SWGfL
https://swgfl.org.uk/resources/checklists/
Downloadable Social Media Checklists which set out how to go through profile settings and apply a checklist to help keep you safe online.
Own It
Whatever you need – help and advice, skills or inspiration – we have it covered.
Ofcom-Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report 2023
Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2023 - Ofcom
A report from Ofcom that provides detailed evidence on media use, attitudes and understanding among children and young people.
Tips on supporting different aged children with online safety:
Supporting Birth to-5 years:
Supporting preschoolers online (0-5s) | Internet Matters (youtube.com)
Early years online safety resources - Internet Matters
Supporting to 5-7 year olds:
Digital safety at a glance - 5-7-year-olds (internetmatters.org)
Supporting young children 6-10’s years:
Supporting young children (6 -10s) online | Internet Matters (youtube.com)
Internet-Matters-Age-Guide-6-10s-Jan23.pdf (internetmatters.org)
Supporting 8–10-year-olds:
Digital safety at a glance: 8-10-year-olds (internetmatters.org)
Supporting pre-teens Supporting pre-teens (11 - 13s):
Supporting pre-teens (11 - 13s) online | Internet Matters (youtube.com)
Internet-Matters-Age-Guide-11-13-Jan23.pdf (internetmatters.org)
Supporting teens 14 plus:
Supporting teens (14+) online | Internet Matters (youtube.com)
Internet-Matters-Age-Guide-14plus-Jan23.pdf (internetmatters.org)
Many young people self-harm. If you are concerned that your child is self harming, you can find out more information here about what you can do.
What is a young carer?
- A young carer is a person under 18 who provides practical and/or emotional support for another person, usually a family member because of a health condition. They may be providing care for a parent, grandparent or guardian, or helping their parents care for another child in the family.
- The person they care for may have a disability, a long-term or temporary physical or mental illness, or have issues with substance misuse.
- There are over 5000 Young Carers in Norfolk but many are ‘hidden’ because they do not realise they are a young carer. This may be because they consider it simply is ‘how life is’, or because of fears of stigma/other people becoming involved in their situation.
- Being a young carer can have a significant impact on their physical and mental health, educational attainment and their transition into adulthood.
What support is available for young carers?
Norfolk County Council have commissioned a specialist support service for young carers and their families across Norfolk, looking after the needs of the young carer themselves, as well as the whole family. The Young Carers & Family Service is a partnership of voluntary sector organisations, young carer groups and youth work providers. The partners are:
• The Benjamin Foundation
• Caring Together
• GYGYC
• Holt Youth Project
• MTM Youth Services
• Suffolk Family Carers
• Voluntary Norfolk
• West Norfolk Carers
Young carers or any member of their family can ask for support directly, or a professional such as a teacher, youth worker or GP, can make a referral on their behalf. Call the Carers Matter Norfolk Advice Line if you are seeking or would like to discuss support for yourself or for someone else. It is FREE to call and advisors are available 7 days a week. 0800 083 1148 You can also make an online referral at www.youngcarersmatternorfolk.org
You will find more details about the Young Carers service, the partners and other young carers groups and support available, including information about Young Carers Needs Assessments and Young Adult Carer Transition Assessments in this Sources of Young Carers Support in Norfolk which has been prepared by Caring Together and their Norfolk Young Carers Forum project.
- Safer Homes leaflet - advice about cutting the host of keeping warm.
- Nurturing Wellbeing – strategies and resources for families to support and boost children and young people’s emotional wellbeing.
- Me, You and Baby Too is an online programme designed to help expectant and new parents cope better with the relationship changes they may experience when a baby arrives
- Flourishing Families Tool – If you feel that you need a little extra help meeting your child’s needs, use the flourishing families tool to find out what support might be available for you.
- Keeping Children Safe – NSPCC guidance, tips and advice
- Involvement Strategy – Our Children and Young People’s Involvement Strategy
- Child Safety in clubs and activities Leaflet for parents
- Survival guide to child protection for Roma parents
- Triple P Transactions Group are for parents who are divorced, separating, or separated, and are finding it difficult to communicate in a healthy form, and the child/ren are getting caught in the middle of their conflict.