Below are external links and services available to support children and families.

Our Safeguarding Policy can be found here

Employment and benefits:

These pages have additional information and will help answer lots of the questions that are being asked. Visit the new Employment and benefits support site (link is external) regularly to keep up to date with the latest guidance and messages on sick pay, existing benefit claims, new claims to benefit, self-employment, housing and more. This site covers all the changes Department of Work and Pension are making to respond to coronavirus – not just to Universal Credit. It also includes a Frequently Asked Questions section.

Food banks:

Please be advised the government have introduced a winter support fund called the Household Support Fund for any families in Medway in need of support over the winter period, preventing the need for foodbank vouchers.

It is highly recommended that families who require foodbank services apply for this fund initially for help with food, bills and possibly other issues e.g. furniture and travel.

The support may be applied for and accessed up to 3 times between October 2021 and 31 March 2022.

You can find out more information and make an application online using the link below: https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200131/council_tax_and_benefits/1481/household_support_fund

• The Food Bank (Medway)
• Medway Street Angels (email only - themedwaystreetangels@gmail.com)
• Gillingham Street Angels are situated at 43 Skinner Street, Gillingham and can be accessed from 10am -1pm daily 
• The Hygiene Bank for families that need help with personal products like sanitary items / personal washing products (phonecall - Emma Thomas on 07940329994)

Medway Child Health Team have put together a bulletin that contains links and advice for children and young people in Medway - click here

Office of Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, has published a newsletter bringing your attention to important updates regarding changes in and measures put in place due to COVID-19 - click here

Medway Support for Families/Self Referrals

Self-referrals

Please click here to access the School Nurse self-referral.

Please click here to access Medway Early Help referral site.

Apps to help children stay safe online

Online safety and guides to using apps and games safely (it might be worth uploading the guides relevant to the context of the school) https://nationalonlinesafety.com/guides

The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most. It can be downloaded for free in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

SafeToNet is an app for parents to help them safeguard their children from online risks like cyberbullying and sexting, whilst respecting their child’s rights to privacy. The SafeToNet Foundation is providing UK families with free access to 1 million licences during coronavirus.