S2 #09 What can parents do 'in the meantime' while they wait for a professional assessment with Safeguarding expert Kayla Shepherd

Waiting can be stressful. While the waiting lists for child mental health assessments get longer, our anxiety ramps up. Parents and children wait in limbo. Feeling helpless. Do professionals hold all the answers? What can we do ‘in the meantime’ period while we wait for a professional assessment?

According to Safeguarding expert Kayla Shepherd, staying in this anxious state can disempower us, and keep us focused on our losses. The key to coping with our anxiety while we wait, is to understand both the risk and protective factors our children are facing as they struggle to process big changes like bereavement, moving house, moving school, losing friends. These keys will help us to feel less frightened. Taking action at home, and at school, enables us to stay in a solution-focused state which is key to counteracting feelings of helplessness.

Kayla is Managing Director of Safety Mode Ltd and Chair Of The Board Of Trustees at Andy's Angels. She leads safeguarding training courses about the risk and protective factors, teaching parents how to open difficult conversations with teenagers, how to assess whether your child is becoming addicted to online gaming, and maintain a sense of connection and belonging.

She also set up a Grief Play Cafe for children in her community following the death of her husband which brings grieving families together to share their stories.

A rich conversation full of practical strategies you can implement immediately.

Don’t let the waiting period derail you.

About Kayla and Safety Mode Ltd

Kayla is an experienced instructor having developed her career in childcare and training. After managing several local nurseries, Kayla developed a passion for training and mentoring. 

In 2016 Safety Mode Limited was born, offering dynamic training and mentoring for businesses, parents and individuals, Specialising in First Aid, Safeguarding and First Aid for Mental Health for children, young people and adults.  

Please find our free awareness of children's mental health Facebook lives on our Facebook page here: (1) Safety Mode Limited | Facebook with guest speakers talking about Sleep, risk factors of children's mental health, how to build self-esteem and confidence in children and how art and music can support our children and young people's mental health and well-being.

LinkedIn
www.safetymode.co.uk

Connect with Amanda Seyderhelm

Visit my website to download my free eBook 10 Simple Play Therapy Techniques You Can Use To Help Your Child With Grief, Loss and Change

If you are supporting a bereaved child, or know someone who is, you can purchase my books - Isaac and the Red Jumper (for 4-10 yr olds) and Helping Children Cope with Loss and Change

@TheKidDecoder on Twitter
@amandaseyderhelm on Instagram and LinkedIn