Wednesday 31 August 2022
 Do you know someone who is going to university in September?
Students heading to university in September are being encouraged to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations ahead of Freshers’ Week to protect themselves against a range of potentially life-threatening illnesses such as meningitis, septicaemia and measles.
The three vaccines students should get up to date with are:
- MenACWY – protecting against 4 common strains causing meningitis and septicaemia
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MMR – protecting against measles, mumps, rubella
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HPV (for female students) – protecting against cervical and other cancers caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) together with genital warts
Anyone who is unsure about their vaccine status can check with their GP practice to see if they are up to date and fully protected. Ideally, students should have any vaccines they have missed at least two weeks before leaving for university. If that’s not possible, they should arrange to have any missed vaccines as soon as possible with their current GP or their new GP practice if they are moving to a different area.
 New course of highly popular Let’s Talk Teenagers sessions starts this Autumn
The second series of the highly successful webinars for parents of teenagers is set to kick off this autumn, covering a range of new topics.
Let's Talk Teenagers is a series of online support sessions and an opportunity for parents and carers of teenagers to hear about the challenges young people are facing today and discover ways to help them navigate their way through them.
The latest sessions, starting on Tuesday 13 September and running weekly until 4 October, with an added session on Wednesday 5 October, cover topics such as exploring teenage relationships, mental health and emotional wellbeing, anger and challenging behaviour, bullying and online challenges including preventing radicalisation.
There will be an updated toolkit available after the courses for everyone who signs up to this free event, which also covers topics from earlier sessions such as drugs and alcohol, body image, self-care and social and emotional changes.
Find out more or book your free place via the Eventbrite website.
Courses aimed at parents and carers, or pre-teens are being planned for November, so watch this space!
 Helping your child prepare for school
While the prospect starting a new school year will be exciting for many pupils, some might feel anxious. That’s perfectly normal. Lots of children will feel the same way.
Young Minds has helpful information and advice on supporting your child with school anxiety. There’s also tips for working with your child’s school if your child is having difficulties and finding extra help if you need it.
Here are a few things you can do to make their return to school as comfortable as possible:
Friendships and school. Your child may have remained in contact with school friends either in person or online over the holiday, but for some their social circle may have shrunk a little, and returning to school may feel a little daunting. So encourage positive talk about school. Ask them what they are looking forward to, and if they’re worried, encourage an approach like ‘if this happens, you could…’
Talking to your child about how they are feeling about going back to school and try not to make assumptions. Ask them if they are worried about anything, but also if they’re feeling positive. No matter how your child feels, let them know that it is completely normal.
Try not to leave shopping for uniform or stationary to the last minute if possible. Know what they need and whether you have it, (and whether it still fits!). Being ready for day one will add to that sense of calm!
Give your child your full focus when they return from their first day back. Don’t ask too many questions, but be attentive and positive. They’ll probably be tired, so plan a relaxing evening.
Seeking support if you need it. If your child experiences difficulties while they’re at school, please contact your child’s school to make them aware, so that you can work together to support your child. If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, speak to the school and your GP.
Not putting pressure on yourself. It might take a little while for children to get used to the change, and that’s normal. There’ll be ups and downs. Try your best to support, reassure and comfort them, without putting pressure on yourself to make it better.
 Don't forget to apply for free school meals
All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 at state schools in England automatically get free school meals.
However, if you receive certain benefits, you are encouraged to apply for free school meals when you enrol your child in school, as this can help your school to attract additional ‘pupil premium‘ funding to support your child's learning.
Please apply through our website, as this is the quickest and easiest way and will result in you getting an instant decision. Alternatively, call our Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019.
 Get a healthy start this Autumn
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four years old, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card, with money added every four weeks to buy cow’s milk, fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried, and tinned pulses and infant formula milk based on cow’s milk.
You can also use your card to collect Healthy Start vitamins to support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding and vitamin drops for babies and young children suitable from birth to four years old.
Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme, and how to apply, on the NHS website.
 Help with childcare costs
The cost of childcare can take up a large chunk of the family budget. Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support.
There are several government schemes to help families with childcare costs, each one tailored to different needs, incomes and children’s ages. They're not just to help pay for nurseries and childminders during term time, they can also cover wraparound childcare before and after school as well as help during the holidays.
To find out about all the schemes, visit the government's Child Care Choices website and enter your details to see how you can save money on your childcare.
You can find local family support and childcare providers via our Pinpoint website.
We have a duty to ensure there is enough childcare to meet parents’ needs. Use our online form to tell us if you haven’t been able to find the childcare you need.
 Travelling to school
We encourage all children to walk, cycle or scoot to school if they can, because teachers tell us that pupils who travel actively arrive more alert and ready for learning as well as generally happier.
Active travel also helps parents and carers stay fit, helps the environment, and gives you all time back in your day because you won’t be stuck in traffic. Even if your family can only make the change a couple of days a week, or for just one leg of the journey to and from school, it will make a big difference.
If your child isn’t able to walk, cycle or scoot, could they use public transport instead? Or perhaps they can combine the two? And if you do have to drive your child to school, please consider parking a 10 minute walk away to help keep the school entrance clear of traffic.
We provide free school transport to more than 16,000 pupils across Devon. Families who qualify should have received information from us regarding arrangements for the new term, and the majority of school bus passes have now been sent out. However, we are aware that the postal strikes recently have delayed some deliveries, and therefore if you have not heard from us, or you have a query, please call us on 0345 155 1019.
When it comes to buying school uniform, the costs can add up. The Recycle Devon website has tips and advice to help families plan and get the most wear out of their school uniform.
If it's a little tight or too short, but otherwise in relatively good condition, can you alter it? Our website has tips to help you. Or could you hand it on to someone else, or sell online or donate to a clothing bank or charity shop?
Websites such as Freegle, Preloved, Gumtree or Freecycle are all good places to pick up bargains!
The Recycle Devon website also has advice when choosing uniform on what materials to look for that are durable and longer lasting. And tips to help you spruce up the uniform you have by removing ink or biro stains.
You can read more about it in the story on our news page.
Or visit our Recycle Devon website for more information.
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