Every year we support parents in preparing their children for the move from one school year to the next or to a new school environment and this year is harder than most.

The COVID-19 lockdown has been a challenge for so many families.

Home schooling, a lack of routine and great uncertainty have been hard to manage for many. Conversely, we have also heard from many parents who have seen their children calmer and less anxious, without the pressure of having to go to school, who are already worried about how to support with the anxiety of a return.

Whatever the experience has been, it has been a long time since children were at school, and they will have returned to a much changed environment.

Many parents of children with additional needs are asking how to manage this in a way that their children feel safe and that does not lead to meltdowns and challenging behaviour.

This online session will enable parents and carers to support their children as they return to school under the new circumstances created by COVID.

We recognise that children will have returned to school by the time you may attend our session. We address how to manage all change as well as the difficulties experienced by a recent return to school.

Run by highly experienced facilitators, counsellors and parenting practitioners, this workshop will help parents to understand:

• How children feel and behave when experiencing change.
• How to prepare children for changes such as starting a new school.
• How to support children during and after change by helping them to manage their emotions using effective stress reducing strategies.
• Understand how children learn from new experiences and what to expect.
• Where to access further help and support.

The Supporting Links ethos is not simply to impart information by Powerpoint, but to enable parents to learn valuable skills that will help them to support their children. Our emphasis is on helping parents to use new knowledge and strategies within their own families and, thereby, support their child.

The workshop will take place via Zoom and will incorporate a Q&A session.

The workshop consists of one 2 hour session to be held on Monday, 5th October and will take place online using Zoom. It will begin promptly at 9.30am.

This workshop is provided free to parents by Herts County Council and it is open to all parents and carers of children aged 2-25 years old with suspected or diagnosed Autistic Spectrum Disorder and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who are living in Hertfordshire.

There are a limited number of places which are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Please only book a place if you will definitely be attending. We expect to be fully booked with a long waiting list.

Supporting Links is an independent company.

To ask a question or for more information contact Noushin Rahman-Blake, Supporting Links on 01442 300185 or email info@supportinglinks.co.uk.