Safeguarding Bulletins
Parent Guides
Below are links to some useful Parent Guides, produced by the National College, to help you talk to your children about a range of safeguarding and wellbeing issues.
We will update this page regularly so check back for any new content.
If there is a specific issue you would like advice or support with, please contact us and we will help signpost you to relevant resources or support options.
Combating Online Bullying
Defined as “ongoing hurtful behaviour towards someone online”, cyber-bullying makes its victims feel upset, uncomfortable and unsafe. In the digital world, it has numerous forms – such as hurtful comments on a person’s posts or profile; deliberately leaving them out of group chats; sharing embarrassing images or videos of someone; or spreading gossip about them. Cyber-bullying can severely impact a young person’s mental health … so, in support of Anti-Bullying Week, we’ve provided a list of tips to help trusted adults know what to look for and how to respond to it.
In the guide, you'll find tips such as playing online games with your child, talking about your child’s online life and being prepared to listen without showing any judgement or criticism.
Mental Health Conversation Starters
Talking to children about mental health hard sometimes: even to the point that adults can put off raising the topic, not wanting to unearth problems or discuss overwhelming subjects that we perceive our child is too young or not ready for. Rather than keeping children in the dark, however, this guide is designed to help you confidently talk about mental health, so that youngsters feel comfortable talking about their own worries and end any stigma before it begins.
In the guide, you'll find tips on talking about mental health naturally, being open and honest and asking twice.
At times, growing up can be a stressful experience. It’s not unheard of for young people to fret about things that could potentially go wrong in their lives – and what implications this would have for their life. In some situations, this can go beyond feeling uneasy about the future and become full-blown anxiety, which affects their mental, emotional and even physical wellbeing.
While worry and anxiety can originate from many different places, it's immensely important for parents and educators to understand the effect this can have on youngsters – and how best to support them if they’re going through a difficult time. This guide provides insight into the ramifications of worry and anxiety, and how you can help children manage – and hopefully overcome – these challenges.