- Home
- Children and Families
- Family Support Information
Family Support Information
Bereavement Support
Bereavement Support
Winston’s Wish www.winstonswish.org.uk - provides good publications and excellent school and parent resources on line.
Cruse www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk - 1:1 counselling for adults and teenagers
Jigsaw4u www.jigsaw4u.org.uk - offer support groups for bereaved children and adults, offer support to schools, home visits, and on-going support over time.
Compassionate Friends www.compassionatefriends.org.uk - Support for families after a child has passed away.
Simon Says www.simonsays.org.uk - Child bereavement support services and helpline
Domestic Abuse
Domestic Abuse
For anyone who feels they are at risk of abuse, it is important to remember that there is help and support available to you, including police response, online support, helplines, refuges and other services. You are not alone.
Call 999
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police - the police will continue to respond to emergency calls.
If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, dial 999, listen to the questions from the operator and respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can. Then follow the instructions depending on whether you are calling from a mobile or a landline.
If you call from a mobile
If prompted, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard - this will transfer your call to the police.
Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.
If you call 999 from a landline
If only background noise can be heard and BT operators cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, then you will be connected to a police call handler.
If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick up again.
When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about your location should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.
Other Domestic Abuse Support
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Refuge runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which you can call for free, and in confidence, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. Its website provides guidance and support for potential victims, as well as those who are worried about friends and loved ones. It also has a form through which you can book a safe time for a call from the team.
Women’s Aid https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/ has a range of direct services for survivors, including a live chat service and an online Survivors’ Forum. They have developed additional advice specifically designed for the current coronavirus outbreak. You can also find your local domestic abuse service on their website. They also provide information on the support helplines available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Your Sanctuary https://www.yoursanctuary.org.uk/ offer support and empowerment to anyone affected by Domestic Abuse and enable children to be seen, heard and validated. We challenge mind sets to change attitudes and facilitate informed choices
Hestia
Hestia https://www.hestia.org/domestic-abuse provides a free mobile app, Bright Sky, which provides support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.
Men’s Advice Line
The Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.
Telephone: 0808 801 0327
Galop - for members of the LGBT+ community
http://www.galop.org.uk/ runs the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse specialist helpline.
Telephone: 0800 999 5428 Email: help@galop.org.uk
Chayn
Chayn https://chayn.co/ provides online help and resources in a number of languages about identifying manipulative situations and how friends can support those being abused.
Sexual assault referral centres
Sexual assault referral centres https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Rape-and-sexual-assault-referral-centres/LocationSearch/364 continue to provide non-judgmental advice and support services to victims and survivors of sexual assault or abuse.
Interviews, forensic examinations and sexual health and counselling services are offered in a comfortable environment where staff will ensure that victims and survivors will be managed safely to comply with coronavirus guidance. Please call your local sexual assault referral centre to arrange care and support, which may be provided in person or remotely depending on your needs.
‘Honour’-based abuse
If you are suffering abuse from your family or community because they say that you have compromised their ‘honour’, or if they are trying to force you into marriage, you can get help. Karma Nirvana runs the national honour-based abuse helpline.
Telephone: 0800 5999 247
Email: support@karmanirvana.org.uk
BME specialist services
Imkaan https://www.imkaan.org.uk/ is a women’s organisation addressing violence against black and minority women and girls.
Disability specialist services
These services are run by deaf and/or disabled people.
Stay Safe East http://staysafe-east.org.uk/ provides specialist and holistic advocacy and support services to disabled victims and survivors of abuse.
SignHealth https://signhealth.org.uk/ provides domestic abuse service support for deaf people in British Sign Language (BSL).
WhatsApp or Facetime: 07970 350366
Telephone: 020 3947 2601
Email: da@signhealth.org.uk
Economic abuse
If you are concerned about how coronavirus may affect your finances and leave you vulnerable to economic abuse, please see the advice provided by HM Treasury on what support is on offer.
The charity Surviving Economic Abuse has also provided additional guidance and support.
Support if you are worried about hurting someone
If you are worried about hurting the ones you love while staying at home, call the Respect Phoneline for support and help to manage your behaviour. This is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who are harming their partners and families. It takes calls from partners or ex-partners, friends, and relatives who are concerned about perpetrators.
Telephone: 0808 802 4040
Educational Psychology Hotline
Educational Psychology Hotline
The Educational Psychology service runs a telephone hotline for school staff every Wednesday afternoon.
During the COVID 19 pandemic we have extended our telephone hotline to include parents. An Educational Psychologist from each area team will be available to consult about children or broader education issues every week on a Wednesday afternoon. EPs will focus on problem solving, providing information and signposting as appropriate. This is not a formal means of referring an individual child to an EP and consultations about children will be anonymous. The following information will be recorded for administrative purposes: school name, contact name, age and gender of the child and a summary of key issues causing concern. No prior arrangement is necessary – simply call into your area telephone number between 1– 4pm each Wednesday as follows:
North East: 01372 833588
South East: 01737 737777
North West: 01483 518130 (our school is in this area)
South West: 01483 517179
*Please note that these telephone consultations are open to parents and school staff until further notice. If you call and the hotline is busy, business support will take a message for an EP to call you back within 48 hours of your call. We hope that you find this service useful and look forward to your call.
Please find below a resource pack that they have put together to help support all families.
Cost of Living Crisis
We know that people all across Surrey are feeling the impact of increasing costs and pressure on household budgets. If you are struggling to meet the needs of your family, due to finanacial hardship, please take a look at the below:
Surrey County Council
Every household in Surrey will receive a Cost of Living Directory of support, highlighting financial, health and welfare information. Click on the link below to access the directory:
Health and welfare support - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)
Woking Foodbank
"We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK".
Woking Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis
Citizen's Advice
If you don’t have enough money to live on, you might be able to get help to afford essentials like bills and food. This includes the Household Support Fund and cost of living payments.
Get help with the cost of living - Citizens Advice
Sythwood Primary & Nursery School
We don't believe that anyone in our school community should struggle to provide a warm, safe environment for their children. We are able to signpost families to other external support services as well as provide help with school uniform, Foodbank Vouchers or Foodwise support.
Please contact the main school office on 01483 770063 and ask for Mrs Jolly to discuss how we may be able to help.
Mental Health
Mental Health Concerns
We suggest that the person concerned contacts their GP but other options are listed below:
Safe Havens - Mental Health Crisis Line advise that safe havens are still open (6-11pm), but only in exceptional circumstances. There is no social drop in hour between 6-7pm, it is only for people in crisis needing assessment. To ensure they are open before people arrive, please advise people to call the MH Crisis line first to check if they are open (0800 915 4644 – 24 hour).
Samaritans - If you're having a difficult time or worried about someone else. Call for free on: 116 123
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
SHOUT
Text SHOUT to 85258 from anywhere in the UK, 24/7. Shout is the UK's first free 24/7 crisis text line available for anyone, anytime, anywhere. The service is anonymous and off bill. It is powered by a nationwide team of Crisis Volunteers, supported by expert Clinical Supervisors. This is a place to go if you're experiencing a personal crisis, unable to cope and need immediate help. https://www.giveusashout.org/
Mental Health Crisis Helpline (SABP)
Emergency support for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Tel: 0300 456 8342 or SMS: 07717 9898342
Combat Stress:
24-hour helpline providing confidential mental health advice. Open to veterans and those currently servicing as well as families, friends and carers. Call: 0800 138 1619 or email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk
Mental Health Crisis Helpline - 24 hour support for people in Surrey and North East Hampshire experiencing a mental health crisis
0800 915 4644
Safeguarding Children
Safeguarding Children
If you are concerned about the safety of a child or young person you can contact the Surrey Children's Single Point of Access (SPA)
https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/childrens-social-care/contact-childrens-services
NSPCC
The NSPCC has issued guidance for spotting and reporting the signs of abuse on their website.
The NSPCC Helpline is available for anyone with concerns about a child to contact for professional
advice and support.
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Childline
Childline https://www.childline.org.uk/ is available for children and young people to reach out for help and support by phone or using their online chat service. They also provide specific guidance for young people on how to get help and what to do if they are worried about a friend.
Telephone: 0800 1111
Barnardo’s
Barnardo’s provides support to families affected by domestic abuse.
Support For Family Life and Relationships
Support for family life and relationships
Family Lives https://www.familylives.org.uk/ is a charity whose aim is to help support parents and carers to deal with all aspects of family life.
Relate https://www.relate.org.uk/
Highly trained counsellors available to support everyone’s relationships during this difficult time. There is support available through live chat and telephone and webcam counselling. Following the government's latest advice on COVID-19, most face-to-face services are temporarily closed. They have also put together some advice and tips for keeping relationships healthy during self-isolation and social distancing.
Support for single parents
Gingerbread https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/
Support available for single parents including advice around contact arrangements. Gingerbread groups will not be having meet ups for the foreseeable future however any Gingerbread coordinators are encouraging communication through WhatsApp and Facebook as an alternative way for single parents to stay in touch with each other. CAFCASS- Cafcass has put together some guidance to support children and families during the COVID-19 emergency to encourage effective co-parenting and help maintain a child’s routine.
Support for Parents, Children and Young People
Support for parents, children and young people
Register for FREE online parenting courses.
Topics include:
Understanding your pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby
Understanding your baby
Understanding your child 0 to 19 years
Understanding your teenagers brain
The online guides contain advice relevant to expectant parents, parents, grandparents and carers of children of all ages including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Family Links https://www.familylinks.org.uk/free-downloads-for-parents have a selection of free downloads with practical tips and advice for parents. They also have a free online parenting course hosted by Netmums. Although it is hosted by Netmums, it is perfect for Dads too.
Surrey Parenting Handbook
https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/families/publications/the-parent-handbook
This is a reference book for parents and carers of 11 to 19 year olds in Surrey. It includes information and contacts on 20 topics, ranging from alcohol, drugs and substance misuse to support for young carers.
Free NHS apps
The Baby Buddy app https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/baby-buddy/ guides you through your pregnancy and the first 6 months following your baby's birth. It is designed to help you look after your baby's mental and physical health, as well as your own, and give your baby the best start in life.
The British Red Cross Baby and Child First Aid app https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/baby-and-child-first-aid/ provides simple, easy-to-learn skills to help a baby or child in a first aid emergency.
Peanut https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/peanut/ is an app that gives you access to a social network to connect
