Advice and information for children and young people with SEND, and their families.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations
Vaccinations are available for children aged five to 11 who are at a higher risk of being very unwell from COVID-19, any child or young person aged 12 to 17 and any adult.
- Information from the NHS on the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 15.
- Easy read leaflets Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-easy-read-resources (opens new window) on GOV.UK
- Mencap has advice for people with a learning disability Go to https://www.mencap.org.uk/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine (opens new window)
- The National Autistic Society has information about the vaccines Go to https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/coronavirus/health/information-about-upcoming-coronavirus-vaccines (opens new window)
- Watch a video about the vaccine for people with a learning disability and autistic people Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3_uVzexkBU (opens new window)
- Watch a young autistic man talk about his experience of having the vaccine Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppdvdf7hUws (opens new window)
- COVID-19 vaccination resources for children and young people on GOV.UK
Children's Personal Budgets/Direct Payments
If you use Direct Payments to employ Personal Assistants (PAs) then you must have a plan in place if the PA can't come to work because of the coronavirus.
This might include family or friends or alternative staff members coming in to support you.
If staff or family or friends are not able to provide the care you need, then email: InclusionService@bristol.gov.uk
In your message you should give us your:
- full name
- child's name
- contact telephone number
We'll respond to you no later than the next working day.
If you can't email us then call the office. Our reduced staff will take your details and send the email on your behalf.
All non-urgent matters which do not require immediate action will be dealt with by our home based staff.
Emergency payments available for families returning to school
The Bristol City Council Local Crisis Prevention Fund (LCPF) is available for children and young people, if you need help to cover payments for:
- food
- school uniforms
- shoes
- stationery
The payments are awarded in supermarket vouchers. You won't have to pay anything back.
You can apply for the emergency payment on the Apply for an emergency payment page. If you need help applying, you can ask the child's or young person's teacher or health professional to help you.
Other information and advice
Advice and Support
You can get advice and support from:
- Childline: call 0800 1111 or visit Childline website Go to https://www.childline.org.uk/ (opens new window)
- Bristol Samaritans : call 0330 094 5717 or visit Bristol Samaritans website Go to https://www.samaritans.org/branches/bristol/ (opens new window)
- Child Mind Institute article: Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus Go to https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/ (opens new window)
- Elsa Support: Coronavirus Story for Children Go to https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/coronavirus-story-for-children/ (opens new window)
- SEND And You (SAY): call 0117 989 7725 or visit SEND And You (SAY)
- Mencap: information and easy read guide Go to https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/health/coronavirus (opens new window)
- Bristol Support and Advice Line (SAL): telephone and online support to parents/carers, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, call 07464 357574 or email sal@bibic.org.uk
- Contact: find the latest information for families with disabled children, and support available
Mental health
You can get advice about mental health support from:
- CAMHS (if young person is currently under CAMHS) call 01454 862431 or if you are concerned that you're not able to keep your child safe or they're not able to keep themselves safe then take them to the Accident and Emergency department at Bristol Children's hospital or call for an ambulance
- Find mental health services in Bristol
Emergency
Emergency information:
- Police: call 101 for non-urgent or 999 if urgent and an immediate response is needed
- NHS: check if you have coronavirus symptons Go to https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 (opens new window)
- Safeguarding children: call the First Response Team on 0117 903 6444
- Access and Response Team (for Safeguarding concerns) call 01454 86 6000 (during working hours)
- Emergency duty team
- SEND hospital passport and NHS COVID-19 grab and go form
