Kinship One Minute Guide - Health & Well Being
Purpose: To help Special Guardians support children’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing and identify sources of help.
Understanding health and emotional needs
- Children in kinship care may experience trauma, loss, disrupted routines or early adverse experiences.
- These experiences can affect emotional regulation, behaviour, sleep, toileting and social confidence.
Supporting emotional and mental wellbeing at home
- Create predictable routines and consistent boundaries.
- Use calm explanations and offer choices to reduce overwhelm.
- Help children label feelings and use self-soothing strategies.
- Prioritise connection through shared activities and positive attention.
Accessing specialist support
- Wellbeing support through Health Assured, including counselling, a helpline, coaching, legal information and medical advice.
- Life-story work and therapeutic support.
- Local mental health and wellbeing services, including NHS services, Early Help and CAMHS.
Promoting physical health
- Ensure access to GP, dental and vision checks.
- Encourage activity, healthy eating and good sleep routines.
- Be aware of conditions such as FASD and how they can affect development.
Looking after your own wellbeing
- Access counselling, coaching and Special Guardian peer-support groups.
- Attend training about trauma, behaviour and attachment.