Latest News for Parents & Carers

You will have seen the announcements over the past few days about school closures for everyone except children of critical workers and vulnerable children, in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. The government has now published questions and answers about these changes.

The BBC soap opera Eastenders has begun a new storyline that explores what it’s like coming to terms with hearing loss and living as a deaf person, following character Ben Mitchell’s hearing loss.

Derby City Council now has a webpage dedicated to the Coronarvirus or COVID-19. There is also a national Coronavirus Helpline set up by the Department for Education.

Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline between 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday:

Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

Here’s some useful information from the World Health Organisation on coping with stress during this uncertain time.

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World Health Organisation – Coping with stress during the 2019-nCov outbreak

It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. Talking to people you trust can help. Contact your friends and family.

If you must stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle – including proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contacts with loved ones at home and by email and phone with other family and friends.

Don’t use smoking, alcohol or other drugs to deal with your emotion. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker or counsellor. Have a plan of where to go to and how to seek help for physical and mental health needs if required.

Get the facts. Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions. Find a credible source you can trust such as WHO website, or a local or state public health agency.

Limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you and your family spend watching or listening to media coverage that you perceive as upsetting.

Draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you to manage previous life’s adversities and use those skills to help you manage your emotions during the challenging time of this outbreak.

A new helpline has been launched to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday