NPSCC: Helping kids cope with Back to School worries

And from my own past experience I know there will have been a mix of feelings in households, excitement coupled with nervousness and even dread at the thought of starting a new school, or the prospect of starting the final year of A-Levels or GCSEs. Children may be nervous about starting a new school especially if they haven't been able to explore the schools beforehand and they might be worried about being around large numbers of people again.

From contacts to Childline we know that children may be anxious about bullying, making new friends or keeping up with schoolwork. The pandemic is still here and the reality of starting a new school year in these difficult times could for some children heighten their usual worries and anxieties. So as well as practical back to school routines such as getting back into healthy night time habits, ensuring they've got the correct uniform and equipment ready etc., it's important to listen. Let them know they can always talk to you, a trusted adult or indeed Childline if these first few weeks of a new school year feel overwhelming. It could take time for them to feel comfortable and children may find it hard to talk about their concerns for any number of reasons. So it's important that you're patient and supportive until they're ready to talk. If they still don't feel able to speak to you, let them know that Childline offers free, confidential support on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk where they can also visit the Calm Zone for tips on how to de-stress, and moderated message boards for peer support.

This can be a time which also marks other important milestones; it could be the first time your children walk themselves to school or have their own mobile phone for instance. You know your child best to make the decision as to whether they're ready. With mobiles be open about potential online harms, so children are mindful of what they share and who they speak to online. And practise what you preach! We tell children not to share pictures online of them in their school uniforms, but at the start of every school year many parents do just this. This can be confusing for your child but can be an opportunity to discuss how you are doing this safely, eg privacy settings, small networks on social media.

It's also important to acknowledge that for some children, school is a safe haven. Some young people told Childline they were eager to return to school, as they can seek emotional support from peers, teachers and counsellors. Some felt safe in school as it was a distraction from behaviours such as self-harm and eating disorders.

However your child views the start of the new school year, it's important for us to be there, ready to listen and help our children thrive.