Advice for families
Families, parenting and healthy relationships
Managing family life can be tough - limited time to rest, balancing work and childcare commitments, supporting your child's schoolwork, keeping in touch with others and staying safe. There is a wide range of free advice and support available on-line to help you manage a calm, stable family life during the winter months. Many families experience extra pressures on family relationships and income during this period. If you need essential support to meet basic needs, such as help with food or bills, you can request help on our community support pages.
Support for parents
Speaking to your children about their education during COVID-19
Barnardos - See, hear, respond
NSPCC: Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice and support for parents and carers
Young Minds - Supporting a child returning to school after lockdown
Unicef: Supporting your child’s mental health as they return to school during COVID-19
Mental Health Foundation: Returning to school after the coronavirus lockdown
Healthy relationships with your child
Safe parenting - putting your child first
Supporting children with additional needs
Adult relationships
Support for parents [154.46KB]
You can also access free digital support on the One Plus One website
Parent Resources FAQs [205.4KB]
If you have a social/family support worker, you can talk to them about the 'Relationships Matter' programme or call 0191 433 3355 for details. Alternatively you can complete an enquiry form on the Relate website.
Domestic abuse
Home may not be the safe place it should be. Contact Northumbria Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency and dial 55 if unable to speak.
Gateshead Domestic Abuse Team can be contacted directly on 0191 433 3333.
Keep well, stay in control
Just like our physical health, our emotional wellbeing needs care and attention.
NHS: Stress, anxiety and depression
Life balance
Supporting and engaging your children
Activities for children of all ages
Gateshead Libraries Children's Team - Twitter
Activities for younger children
Family Information Service and directory
Support for home schooling
Many parents are now responsible for home schooling alongside work and other commitments. Most schools are providing useful links to learning resources on their websites, through direct email or on social media platforms. Extra help is available online.
Wellbeing of children and young people
It's normal for your children to feel worried or anxious right now.
Guide to mental health support for children and young people [1.55MB]
Eating disorders
Managing your child's sleep
ICON - Babies cry you can cope - Advice and Support
Sleep Advice Service - Cerebra
The Lullaby Trust - Safer sleep for babies, Support for families
Healthy sleep tips for children - NHS
Self harm
Staying safe online
More time at home often means more screen time for children. Keep it safe - supervise and set parental controls.
If you have concerns about the safety of a child you should phone Gateshead Children's Services on 0191 433 2653 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm or 0191 477 0844 out of hours, evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Further details are available on our worried about a child in Gateshead webpage.