Public Health England has launched a new Psychological First Aid training to help support children and young people affected by COVID-19. The free online course teaches how to provide practical and emotional support to children and young people affected by COVID-19 and related issues such as lockdown, bereavement or isolation.

The course is aimed at parents, caregivers, teachers, health and social workers, charity and community volunteers and anyone who regularly comes into contact with children and young people aged between zero and 25. It is free, takes up to two hours to complete (split into three sessions that the learner can complete at their own pace and no previous qualifications are required.)

This follows the training launched last summer for adults - Psychological First Aid in Emergencies Training - for frontline staff and volunteers to equip them to provide support and recognise people at risk of distress.