As exam season begins, NSPCC encourages parents to provide "safe spaces"

Parents across Essex are being encouraged to give their children time to do things they enjoy, ensuring they have a "healthy balance" during exam season.

This week, pupils across the county will be starting their GCSE and A-Level exams, with the end of secondary school in sight for this year’s sixth form leavers.

They will then run until late June.

Barry Laker works for the NSPCC, helping children across the East of England

He tells Greatest Hits Radio: "Schools, and youth groups will give pupils assemblies and guidance but those sorts of organisations find it hard to have the time to just listen to young people, and that is where parents can offer support."

Mr Laker gives this advice to parents:

"Think about the spaces they have that they feel are safe spaces. That may be something small that makes a big difference, like listening to music in their room, or taking the dog for a walk.

"It's about planning time to relax, we all know triggers in ourselves where we can feel stress building up, and it's about recognising those in your children."

NSPCC Childline service offers support for children through a 24-hour phone counselling service or email service.

This year, A Levels results day will be on Thursday, August 14. From the morning, results will be available to pick up at their school or college.

To find out about the NSPCC support on offer, you can visit their website here.