Looking after yourself during your learning journey
Learning new things, exploring challenging topics and balancing your apprenticeship with everyday life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whatever you’re experiencing, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to manage everything on your own.
At The Childcare Company, we want you to feel supported throughout your learning journey. Whether you’re looking for advice, information or someone to turn to, this page brings together useful resources and organisations that can help you look after your wellbeing, understand your rights and find the support you need.
Take a moment when you need one, and remember that asking for help is a positive step.
What is Trigger T?
Some learning topics can bring up difficult thoughts, feelings or personal experiences. That’s why we take a thoughtful, trauma-informed approach to learning.
You may notice a Trigger T symbol within your learning materials. This highlights content that could be sensitive or challenging and links you to this page, where you can explore helpful information, guidance and external support services.
If a topic affects you, it’s okay to pause, take a break and speak to someone you trust before continuing.
Explore support and wellbeing resources
Below, you’ll find a list of trusted organisations and useful resources offering advice, guidance and support across a range of topics.
Whether you’re looking for information about mental health, safeguarding, family support or online safety, these resources can help you find the right support when you need it.
Remember, support is always available
Your learning journey is about more than gaining a qualification. It’s also an opportunity to develop your confidence, strengthen your skills and grow in your role supporting children and young people.
If something you’ve learned about has affected you, give yourself time to process it. Taking a break, talking to someone you trust or accessing specialist support can be a helpful first step.
If you have a concern about safeguarding, your workplace or another learner, please speak to your training team or contact The Childcare Company’s safeguarding team.
You don’t have to face a difficult situation alone. There is support available, and it’s okay to ask for help.
Explore support and wellbeing resources
If you would like to understand ADHD better, explore available support or find information about assessment and diagnosis, ADHD UK provides resources created by and for people with ADHD.
Resource: ADHD UK – information, advice, self-assessment tools and guidance on finding support.
Every child has the right to feel safe, and everyone working in childcare has a responsibility to help protect children from harm. If you have concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing, it’s important to know where to find advice and how to raise a concern.
These resources can help you understand safeguarding, child protection, online safety, neglect, abuse and exploitation.
Resources:
- NSPCC: Information and advice about safeguarding children and child protection.
- GOV.UK: Guidance on safeguarding children and protecting them from harm.
- The resources above also covers online safety and drugs advice – Information to help you understand potential risks and how to respond.
If you have a safeguarding concern relating to your learning, workplace or another learner, contact The Childcare Company’s safeguarding team using the appropriate contact details provided by your training team.
Domestic abuse can affect anyone, and recognising the signs or knowing how to support someone can be difficult. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, confidential advice and support are available.
Resources:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: Call 0808 2000 247.
- GOV.UK: Advice on how to help someone experiencing domestic abuse.
- NSPCC: Information about protecting children from domestic abuse.
- Victim Support: Advice and support for people affected by domestic abuse and other crimes.
If you feel unsafe, seek help from a trusted person or a specialist support service.
Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and supported while learning. Abuse between learners, whether it happens in person or online, should always be taken seriously.
If you have experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour, bullying, harassment or abuse involving another learner, you can seek advice and support.
Resource: Ofsted – information about reporting concerns relating to education and training providers.
You can also speak to your training team or contact The Childcare Company’s safeguarding team if you need help or are unsure what to do next.
Balancing your apprenticeship, work and responsibilities at home can sometimes be challenging. If you need advice about family life, parenting or relationships, support is available.
Resource: Family Lives – information, advice and support for parents and families, including help during difficult or challenging times.
Helpline: 0808 800 2222.
Your mental health matters just as much as your learning and professional development. If you’re feeling worried, overwhelmed, low or simply need someone to talk to, reaching out can help.
You don’t need to wait until things feel unmanageable before seeking support.
Resources:
Samaritans: Call 116 123, free, day or night, 365 days a year. You can also email jo@samaritans.org or explore their self-help resources.
Your training team: Speak to your Development Coach if you need support with your learning or are finding things difficult to manage.
If you need urgent medical or mental health support, contact NHS 111 for advice. If you or someone else is in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 999.
If you’re concerned about your physical health or need medical advice, it’s important to seek appropriate support.
Resource: NHS 111 – get advice about medical problems and find out what to do next.
For a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999.
Being safe online is important both in your personal life and in your professional role. Understanding online risks can help you protect yourself and the children and families you work with.
These resources provide advice on online safety, harmful content, cyberbullying and reporting concerns.
Resources:
- NSPCC: Guidance on keeping children safe online.
- UK Safer Internet Centre: Online safety advice, professional support and information about reporting harmful content.
- Childnet: Resources and guidance for children, young people, parents, carers and professionals.
- UK Council for Internet Safety: Information and guidance on online safety.
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive. Understanding special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can help you provide inclusive support and recognise when a child or family may need additional help.
Resource: SENDIASS – information, advice and support for children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers.
You can also explore the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice for further information about SEND provision and responsibilities.
Autism UK – Changing attitudes towards Autism, advice, information, and guidance. Education and children’s services, adult services, diagnostic services, Employment advice, Professional development, and best practice.
Women’s Aid provides information and support relating to domestic abuse, including services available across England.
Stonewall UK – Stonewall has a range of resources around equality, diversity and inclusion and promoting and inclusive workplace.
Mencap UK – Mencap have a range of resources on relationships and sex ensuring learners with Special educational needs or disabilities are not left behind.
Equality act 2010 – link to the government website for the equality act 2010, with references to the 9 protected characteristics of the act.
Prince’s Trust – LGBTQIA+ Resources including: –
The Beaumont Society – offering help and support to the Transgender community.
Gender Intelligence – dedicated to increasing awareness of trans community issues especially for young people aged 8-25
LGBT Foundation – (formerly the LGF), believes in a fair and equal society where all LGBT people can achieve their full potential and works to ensure LGBT voices are heard and their needs are met.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing – are a unique community initiative that promotes the health, wellbeing, and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Scotland. They provide support, services, and information to improve health and wellbeing.
London Friend – aim is to improve the health and mental well-being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered people (LGBT) in and around London
Switchboard – provide help and advice for LGBT people. Contact them to find details of local services.
Amnesty International – A global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. Campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all.
British Red Cross – How they support refugees, Asylum Seekers and vulnerable migrants.
Police UK – A single resource national website for policing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Support services, Advice and guidance, Performance and how the UK is policed.
TCM Group – A single solution to almost every single complaint, quarrel, disagreement, and feud at work.
CIPD – Dealing with bullying and workplace conflict.
ACAS – If you’re treated unfairly at work or being bullied.
KCSIE – Keeping children safe in education – Statutory guide for schools and colleges
Wellbeing & Mental Health: Able Futures – Support for Mental health at work. Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Bereavement, Mental Wellbeing, Sleep, Eating and Drinking, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Apprenticeship provider and employer resources.
For age related issues: AGE UK – There for older people that need them. Whatever the situation.
Eating Disorders: Beat – UK leading eating disorder charity. Founded in 1989 as the eating disorder association. Mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders. Information, advice, and guidance: NHS
Body Dysmoprhia (BDD): Explains what it is possible causes, treatment and access to support. MIND
Hearing & Sight Loss: RNID – National hearing loss charity, making life fully inclusive for deaf people and those with hearing loss.
RNIB – National Sight loss charity, helping with living wish sight loss, careers advice and help with cost of living
Criminality: NCA (National Crime Agency) – Modern slavery and human trafficking advice.
Childline – Information, advice and guidance around bullying, abuse, safety, and the law, also advice on forced marriage 0800 1111
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Anti-Terrorism Hotline – 0800 789 321
