Back To School

As sure as that slight autumnal chill signifies the end of summer, it's almost time to go back to school.

For parents of those returning to - or even starting - full-time education, here's a round-up of various useful links to help your child stay healthy and happy throughout their school days:


The First DayThe first day at school is a memorable milestone for little ones, but it doesn't have to be a difficult experience for either parent or child. Parenting expert and mother of three, Dr Pat Spungin offers some advice to help make the transition as easy as possible:
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/childhealth1-5/pages/firstdayofschool.aspx

Ofsted's tips to prevent first day fears at primary school:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/PreparingFortheFirstDayAtSchool/DG_4016576


Lice
It's been a long time since 'Nitty Nora, the Biddy Explorer' did the rounds, so head lice can unfortunately be part of primary school life. Here's some practical advice to treat 'nits' with a video clip from a pharmacist explaining why children get them more than adults:
http://www.nhs.uk/planners/birthtofive/pages/headlice.aspx


Walking to School

It's well worth the little planning required to walk your children to school. Not only will it improve both parent and child's fitness levels, but it saves on petrols costs too. Even two or three times a week will be beneficial. To demonstrate how this can be incorporated with your daily routine, here's a video of Mum Nina starting a new walk-to-school routine with her two young children:
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/onabudget/pages/walktoschool.aspx

Of course, walking is great for fitness and building confidence, but it's important that children and teenagers cross the road safely:
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/roadsafety/pages/pedestrians.aspx


Healthy Lunches
Since Jamie Oliver's campaigned for healthy school dinners, getting a nutrituous balanced meal at the canteen isn't so difficult. If you'd like to fine-tune your child's lunchbox too, here's some useful ideas:
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/childhealth6-15/pages/lighterlunchboxes.aspx

Still stuck for ideas? Here's a whole host of recipes for healthy lunches for kids that the whoel family will enjoy:
http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/pages/lunch-recipe-book.aspx


Bullying
If your child is dreading the return to school, it could be that they've been bullied. If you suspect this, here's some advice and further links to helpful organisations:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Bullying/Pages/Bullyingadviceforparents.aspx

Despite so many children and teenagers owning their own mobile phones and computers these days, cyberbullying is a new phenomenon for many parents:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Bullying/Pages/Cyberbullying.aspx


Young Carers
If you have young relatives who are carers, school can be both a haven from the pressures of home as well as causing extra difficulties in juggling homework:
http://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/young/your-life/pages/school.aspx


Special Needs
If your child has a disability, the major event of starting school for the first time or moving up to secondary can take on extra significance:
http://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/guide/kinds/pages/schooltransfers.aspx

New Children & Young People's Panel

The process recently set in motion to make radical changes to Children's & Young People's Health Services is progressing fast. The core aims are to offer fair access to all services to people around the county - no matter where they are - and that those services should be of consistent quality throughout.


One way that the NHS Cumbria decision-makers are ensuring that the soon-to-be appointed service provider is up to the task, is to set up a fairly informal panel consisting of two relatively small groups: Children and their parents, plus a group for just young people, up to around nineteen years of age. One of the roles of the panel is to interview the prospective health providers and assess their suitability. The panel would also be asked to meet on an occasional basis to make sure newly-evolving services are staying on track.

In all, we're looking for up to ten families and ten young people to take part in the panel, which is a unique opportunity for people with experience of the Health Service - good or bad - to influence how it should be for the next years. Travel expenses will be provided together with the usual tea, coffee plus a light bite to eat. If anyone would like more info, contact me, Elle at ellemc143@gmail.com or on 0779 5640455.