1. Print resources

 

  • Reading Well for Children – The booklist is targeted at children in Key Stage 2 (aged 7-11), but includes titles aimed at a wide range of reading levels to support less confident readers, and to encourage children to read together with their siblings and carers

https://reading-well.org.uk/books/books-on-prescription/children

 

  • Reading Well for Teens – The booklist is targeted at teenagers (13–18)and includes a range of reading levels and formats to support less confident readers and encourage engagement.

(This scheme was launched in October 2022, and was developed as a refresh to the 2016 Reading Well for young people “Shelf Help” scheme and to support young people in a post-pandemic context)

https://reading-well.org.uk/books/books-on-prescription/teens

 

  1. General medical conditions and health advice

 

  • Information from the Patient website on a wide range of topics about children’s health

https://patient.info/childrens-health

 

  • Common health questions about children’s health – from nhs.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/childrens-health/

 

  • Information sheets from Great Ormond Street Hospital on general medical conditions

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/general-medical-conditions/

 

 

  • General health advice for children from Great Ormond Street Hospital

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/general-health-advice-children/

 

  • Easy ways to eat well and move more (the new home of Change4Life)

https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/

 

  1. Organisations providing support for children’s health

 

  • Papyrus – dedicated to preventing young suicide and promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in younger people (under the age of 35)

https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

 

  • Big Deal – for young people to find information and support related to gambling, either for themselves or for someone they care about.

https://www.bigdeal.org.uk/

 

  • YoungMinds – mental health charity for children and young people

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

 

  • Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families – includes resources for young people, parents and healthcare professionals to support mental health

www.annafreud.org/

 

  • NSPCC – National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children – working to prevent abuse, help rebuild children’s lives and support families.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/

 

 

  • Barnardo’s – working to support and protect children and young people facing a wide range of issues, from drug misuse to disability, from sexual abuse to domestic violence.

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/

 

  • Rainbow Trust – supporting families with a seriously ill child

https://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/

 

  • Action for Children – protecting and supporting children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support

https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/

 

  • Save the Children – supporting children in poverty in the UK

https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/what-we-do/child-poverty/uk-child-poverty

 

  • Charlie Waller Trust – providing mental health training, resources and consultancy with a focus on children and young people

https://charliewaller.org/

 

  • Place2be – providing parenting advice from child mental health experts, including practical tips to support children’s wellbeing and behaviour

https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/

 

  • Child Accident Prevention Trust – working to reduce the number of children and young people killed, disabled or seriously injured in accidents.

https://capt.org.uk/

 

  • Macmillan Cancer Support – talking to children and teenagers

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/diagnosis/talking-about-cancer/talking-to-children-and-teenagers

 

  1. Facts and figures

 

  • Child health profiles 2023 – providing an overview of child health and wellbeing for each local authority in England

2023 Child health profiles – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

  • Child and maternal health – fingertips public health data form the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities

https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/child-health-profiles

 

 

  1. Other resources

 

  • MindEd – a free learning resource about the mental health of children, young people and older adults

https://mindedforfamilies.org.uk/

 

  • Royal College of Psychiatrists has a detailed section on help for the whole family

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/parentsandyouthinfo.aspx

and provides guidance on all mental health problems and treatments, with downloadable leaflets. www.rcpsych.ac.uk

 

  • Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 took place in February, but there are some useful resources for families on the theme of connection

https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/families/

 

  1. Podcasts

 

  • Wide range of podcasts available from Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/podcasts

 

 

  1. Local resources

 

  • Check out what activities your local public libraries are running for children and their families

 

  • Have a look for any local children’s mental health services / online resources in your local area (e.g. MindMate in Leeds) and also via your local CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services) team