Children's workers and families resources during Coronavirus

The Development Team: Mission & Ministry are working to support churches with their engagement with children, young people and families during this time.

Debbie Hill, Development Officer for Children & Families has collated a number of resources, particularly focussed at those working with Children & Families.

The following sections link to resources you might find helpful. Debbie can also be contacted for more information on [email protected].

Follow Debbie Hill on Social Media (Pinterest and Twitter)

• Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/debbieh1605/
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Coronavirus Advice - an update 25 May 2021

At the time of writing, we are in the process of moving from Stage 3 to Stage 4 in the Government’s roadmap. The Church of England have produced a summary of these stages as an infographic. Churches have been seeking effective ways forward to continue to connect with those families they normally come into contact with, including baby, toddler and Sunday School groups.

There are a number of organisations and bodies offering Guidance to Churches. The Church of England posts regular updates on its Coronavirus page and the National Youth Agency (NYA) is also a helpful and detailed source of advice which is updated almost as soon as the stages are confirmed.

Whether your church is meeting online or as gathered church (with appropriate social distancing measures) the overarching principle must continue to be safety for everyone. 

Messy Church has produced its own guidance for Messy Churches considering meeting together in person - this document should be used in conjunction with the Church of England guidance found on its coronavirus page. Returning Safely to Messy Church

Please read the guidance carefully. If you are still unsure what is the correct way forward, please me on [email protected] with your query and I will do my best to advise.

Safer Working Online (materials appropriate for those working with children and families)

Working online is a valuable way of supporting and engaging with young people. However, it is paramount that this is done in a safe and appropriate way. You can access documentation to support your engagement online by clicking the links below.

• Video Conferencing with Children and their families - 7 April 2020
• Code of Conduct for using Zoom - 7 April 2020
• Social Media Guidelines
• Risk Assessment Example
• REGISTER TEMPLATE
• Template Online Communication Consent Form

Safer Working in person

• Risk Assessment for in person meeting - May 2021

Bereavement Resources

• Clergy funeral and bereavement resources - Resources from the Church of England
• Best Practice Principles - A guidance document for Supporting Children, Young People and Families through bereavement in the community during social distancing. 
• Resources for Bereavement - A Diocese of Ely guidance resource
• Support for families and children during bereavement. - Pinterest
• Death, Grief and Hope - a Church Army resource to help youth workers help young people who have been bereaved during the Covid 19 crisis.
• Supporting Children With Bereavement - a Child Bereavement UK video resource

Support for Mental Health and Staying Safe Online

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) 
  • Support For Parents and Carers (children)
  • Young People's Support (young people)
  • Support for Teachers and Schools
  • Children and Young People’s Mental Health and wellbeing support - Covid 19 pathway
• AppAwareness from INEQE Safeguarding
• Review of Apps your children may be using - NSPCC - NET Aware
• Screen Time Guidelines Balance - from Childnet International

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