Advice for parents, caregivers and children affected by Southport attack published
Researchers at The University of Manchester have published advice for parents and caregivers of children and young people affected by the stabbings in Southport this week.
Two children died following a stabbing in Southport at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Stockport yesterday.
Nine more children were injured, with six in critical condition. Two adults were also injured according to Merseyside Police.
The free leaflet, from the University’s Parenting and Families Research Group available here was developed for the Manchester Arena bombing and then for the Grenfell fire, with trauma experts from around the country.
It is designed to help those affected through the critical first few days after the trauma, but also in the months that follow.
The leaflet is designed to help parents and caregivers cope with their own emotions and stress and will help them to understand common reactions in children and how best to care for them.
Professor Rachel Calam, who helped develop the leaflet said: “ This is a tragic incident; parents, children and teachers will need good psychological support to help the navigate through the coming days and months.
“What they are going through might include difficulties sleeping, thoughts and memories of what has happened popping into mind, bad dreams, irritability, feeling low, behavioural problems and avoiding activities they used to enjoy.
“This leaflet is advises them how keep going in such difficult times, and that experiencing some distress like that is entirely normal. There is no one way of feeling after a trauma.
“We developed this information to help anyone wondering how best to help their child through such a frightening and upsetting experience. We hope you find it helpful.”
For more For more family advice, visit the NHS MindEd website here.
Download the advice here
