With the prospect of home learning continuing beyond the February half-term holiday, following the Prime Minister’s announcement (Wednesday 27 January 2021), Hampshire County Council is highlighting the support and advice available for parents and carers who are helping their children to learn remotely.
Councillor Roz Chadd, the County Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills said: “We are very proud of the fantastic response from the whole community of childcare and educational settings to the challenges of remote education.
“This is a journey for all of us. All settings have been creating curriculum plans to suit the totally different contexts and developing brand new skills and resources. In turn, children have been adapting to the different ways in which they are being taught.
“Families are also unique, with different environments, age ranges of children and available resources. We understand that it is not easy coping with the different demands to ensure their children are engaging fully and we want to ensure they are aware that there is a wealth of helpful advice available which complements the support they will be getting from their child’s school or nursery.”
Guidance from Government states that parents are not expected to act as teachers, or to provide the activities and feedback that a school or nursery would - but should do their best to help children and support their learning.
Additionally, on the County Council’s coronavirus webpages, Education Service Updates include links to advice for parents and carers and ‘Get help with remote education’ guidance can be found on gov.uk, together with advice on ‘Supporting your child’s education’ across all phases of early years, primary and secondary education. The BBC has also developed an online source of information for parents and carers who are supporting their child’s online learning
Additionally, young people thinking about the next steps for their education or training and employment after secondary school can access the County Council’s Skills and Participation Service’s online careers guidance
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the importance of looking after mental and physical wellbeing has been promoted frequently. Alongside the range of information and support available from a wide range of organisations, the County Council’s website includes wellbeing advice and its Educational Psychology Teamprovides expertise, training and support to schools to enable them to help pupils to maintain good mental health and well-being. The Educational Psychology Team also has a telephone contact line which parents and carers can access for advice.
A Freephone Crisis Line is also available for children and young people, across Hampshire, aged from 11 to 17 years old. Operated by Havant and East Hampshire MIND, the line provides access to help, support, and advice for young people experiencing difficulties with their mental health. For more details visit the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Crisis Line for Children and Young People website.