School advice is just a call away for parents

Parents looking for advice on their children returning or starting school can contact a new dedicated support service.

Children 1st’s Parentline have launched the service before schools start back next week after receiving an increasing number of calls from anxious parents and carers.

Parentline, which is staffed by a highly skilled team from Children 1st, will offer parents and carers specific help and advice about how best to support children with practical and emotional issues as schools reopen.

Mary Glasgow, chief executive of Children 1st, said: “As a parent, I know how tough it has been over the last few months with the schools being closed and all the challenges that has brought.

“Over the last few weeks, lots of parents and carers have been coming to us with worries about their children’s return to school. This includes parents with children starting P1 and S1 who have particular concerns about whether their children will cope.

“That is why we have set up this new service so parents and carers can talk through any worries or fears they have and get advice on how best to support their children.

“Children 1st Parentline is there for every family. Please do get in contact over the phone, online or through webchat if you think a chat might help. ”

Parentline can be contacted over the phone on 08000 28 22 33 or via webchat at www. children1st.org.uk/parentline.

A wide range of additional resources for parents and carers can also be found on the website.