Online resources for support, safety, learning and play.
We’ve put together a list of resources for you and your families. Below you will find links to important information for carers and children and young people in out-of-home care on health, safety as well as educational and fun!
If you need support or have questions, don’t forget to reach out to our Carer Support Team on 1300 782 975, 9am – 5pm weekdays.
Some useful numbers to keep handy for you and your family:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- Child Protection Helpline: 132 111
Please note, while we recommend the resources below, My Forever Family NSW is not responsible for the content of these websites and downloadable resources.
Covid-19 and Me 2020!
This resource is aimed at helping children and young people in out-of-home care capture their experience of the pandemic as part of their Life Story!
Developed by Settlement Services International (SSI) in collaboration with My Forever Family NSW and the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA), this booklet is designed to complement Life Story work and can be used as a ‘point in time’ addition to the resources currently available.
Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)
DCJ are constantly updating information for carers and their families, including some frequently asked questions – facs.nsw.gov.au
Health and wellbeing
The Department of Health have a website with the most up to date information on COVID-19, official medical advice, a symptom checker and helpline – health.gov.au
Emerging Minds have curated information on how to discuss the situation with children and manage any anxiety that may arise – emergingminds.com.au
Who International have released a guide to healthy parenting, to help parents interact constructively during a time of confinement – who.int
Service NSW have highlighted changes to their service as well as government updates, advice and information – service.nsw.gov.au
Raising Children, an Australian parenting website have put together information for parents and carers on health, wellbeing and how to manage self-isolation and social distancing for families and children – raisingchildren.net.au
Headspace are the experts in helping young people be aware of and manage their mental health. They have created tips and a downloadable fact sheet for young people affected by stress as a result of COVID-19 – headspace.org.au
The Council for Intellectual Disability have released a great easy to read guide on Staying safe from coronavirus – cid.org.au
Shared parenting in the time of COVID-19, a resource to support families in shared parenting to communicate, connect and keep calm – Institute of Child Protection Studies
Sydney University have put together some great resources to help build family time practices for children in permanent care. There are four great resource for keeping families connected at a distance.
- Social online games for children and families
- Conversation starters for children or young people and families
- Family time from a distance – without technology
- Family time – tips for using video chats
Safety online and tips for use
The eSafety Commissioner have information on how to stay safe online as we spend more time there – esafety.gov.au
Learning and play
If your child has fallen behind at school, now may be the time to register for a tutor FREE through Foster the Future, a program designed for children and young people in out-of-home care – Foster the Future.
Big Life Journal is an online resource to build healthy mindsets in children and they have released a free stay-at-home printable care package – biglifejournal.com
Sesame Street have put together some fabulous, fun resources for families to play, laugh and learn together, featuring the famous furry friends – sesamestreet.org
Just for fun
Sydney Aquarium and live streaming some of their residents throughout the day – Sydney Aquarium
Join the great David Attenborough on an interactive journey through The Great Barrier Reef – attenboroughsreef.com
Taronga Zoo have set up live streaming of some of their animals, take a look at what they get up to – taronga.org.au
Cosmic Rainbow Yoga for kids – Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed especially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world.
Watch the videos on YouTube or download the app.
Paint and hide rocks or go on a rock hunting trip with the kids. Find out more at #NSWRocks
Make some art – JacksonPollock.org is a website by Miltos Manetas that lets you splatter and blob colours onto a virtual canvas. No paint mess to clean up!
The Australian Museum is running online experiments and activities.
Virtual Zoo Lessons with Taronga Zoo.