Another 'lockdown', another chance to help.

by Douglas Silas,
Specialist SEN solicitor
​11/1/2021

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So we’re back into another ‘lockdown’ again!

It feels like March 2020 again doesn’t it? Although this time we should probably feel better prepared than the first time. But it’s back to homeschooling and online learning for children and young people, with many exhausted parents trying to teach their children once more (some whilst still working) .

I recall a popular joke going round last Spring/Summer about homeschooling with a child reported as saying: ‘My teacher this year is not very good, I hope that I don’t have them next year!’

Makes you think, doesn't it?

Anyway,  as I realise that there are many people again out there with difficulties or limited time (and I know parents of children and young people with SEN often have it doubly or triply hard), I have decided to once more try and do my bit to support everyone.

So I am starting up my weekly updates once more, to try and help parents and professionals or save them precious time from having to look for things themselves, by signposting them to news or information that I find.

​I hope that this helps people again.

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The first thing I want to clarify here is what the new 'lockdown' rules actually mean for pupils.

​The best summary that I have found is on the website of the Council for Disabled Children (CDC) on a page entitled: 'Changes to national restrictions and temporary school closures' (updated on 5/1/2021),  which states as follows:

"On Monday 4th January 2021 the Prime Minister announced that England will move into new national lockdown restrictions, in response to data on the increased transmissibility of the new variant of coronavirus, in order to bring the virus under control whilst the vaccine programme is rolled out. 

The details set out below are based on the current guidance however, we are aware this is a rapidly changing situation and we will update this page as we receive further information.

CDC is working across its networks including SENDIASS and the DCO/DMO forum to ensure information about the current situation is clear to both professionals and families across a range of agencies. If you have additional questions relating to the guidance or the new restrictions please contact us at cdcquestions@ncb.org.uk.

What has changed for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable children?
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• The Government has reinstated the shielding guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable groups in all areas of England.
• All clinically extremely vulnerable children are advised not to attend education settings.
• It is expected that education settings are able to offer them access to remote education.

​What has changed for schools and colleges?

• All primary schools, secondary schools and colleges will move to remote provision, except for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children who can attend in person.
• Summer Exams will not go ahead as planned. The Education Secretary will work with Ofqual to put in place alternative arrangements and more details will be published in due course.  
• Vocational exams will go ahead as planned in January.
• Alternative provision will remain open.
• Special schools will remain open. 
• Provision will be made for children normally receiving free school meals.
• Continued increase in provision of laptops and tablets to support remote education.  
• Early years settings, including nurseries and childminders, will remain open. 
• Existing rules for childcare support bubbles will still apply.

Who can continue to attend school and college?

The Government states that:

“the problem is not that schools are unsafe for children – children are still very unlikely to be severely affected by even the new variant of Covid. The problem is that schools may nonetheless act as vectors for transmission, causing the virus to spread between households.”

Children and young people can continue to attend school or college if they:
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• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
• are assessed as being in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, including children and young people who have a child in need plan, a child protection plan or who are a looked-after child.
• have been identified as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local authorities (including children’s social care services), and who could therefore benefit from continued full-time attendance, this might include:
  • children and young people on the edge of receiving support from children’s social care services or in the process of being referred to children’s services
  • adopted children or children on a special guardianship order
  • those at risk of becoming NEET (‘not in employment, education or training’)
  • those living in temporary accommodation
  • those who are young carers
  • those who may have difficulty engaging with remote education at home (for example due to a lack of devices or quiet space to study)
  • care leavers
  • others at the provider and local authority’s discretion including pupils and students who need to attend to receive support or manage risks to their mental health

In practice, to ensure high quality education for children and young people who need to continue to attend school or college, this may require creative approaches from settings including consideration of staffing rotas and blended remote and face to face learning based on the individual needs of children, young people and their families."

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I would also like to remind you that the Government still has a page up on its website entitled: 'Supporting your children's education during coronavirus (COVID-19)', which is still useful (although it was last updated in July 2020), which states as follows:

"This page and information for teachers will be updated regularly to include further resources and reflect the latest information and developments.

While staying at home due to coronavirus, parents and carers may be worried about their children’s development and the effect of missing school or nursery.

No one expects parents to act as teachers, or to provide the activities and feedback that a school or nursery would. Parents and carers should do their best to help children and support their learning while dealing with other demands.

Get specific advice on how education can continue at home for children:

• aged 2 to 4
• at primary school
• at secondary school
• with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Alongside any work your children receive from school, you can try using online educational resources covering various subjects and age groups.

Educational programmes to help children learn at home are available from the BBC.

Have regular conversations about staying safe online and tell your child to speak to you if they come across something worrying online.

Mental health and wellbeing

The change of routine and staying at home may make this a difficult time for some children. Public Health England has published advice on how to support your children’s wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.

Guidance is also available to help you look after your own mental health.

Advice on helping children continue their education during coronavirus

Help children aged 2 to 4 to learn at home during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Information on making child development a part of everyday life and play.

Help primary school children continue their education during coronavirus (COVID-19)How to provide support and feedback and structure the day.

Help secondary school children continue their education during coronavirus (COVID-19)How to help your child organise their time.

Help children with SEND continue their education during coronavirus (COVID-19)Resources designed to support special educational needs and disabilities.

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And, although I know that it isn't strictly focused on SEN, as I know that parents and professionals also have or are involved with other children and young people, I want to also signpost you to another page on the Government's website entitled: 'Guidance and support', which further signposts you to additional information, which states as follows:

"Pupil wellbeing and safety

• Parents and carers: what you need to know
• Schools: guidance for full opening
• Face coverings in education
• Free school meals
• Supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing

Testing in schools, colleges and universities

• Mass asymptomatic testing for schools and colleges
• Guidance for schools and colleges on how to administer mass testing
• Ordering home test kits for schools and further education providers

Home learning during coronavirus

• Guidance for parents and carers helping children learn from home
• Find resources to support home learning
• Safeguarding and remote education
• Keep children safe online

Exams and managing a school or early years setting

- Exams and assessments

• Guidance on the summer 2021 exams

- Managing a school or early years setting

• Contingency framework to help you stay prepared
• Running an early years setting during coronavirus
• Running a school during coronavirus
• Running a further education setting during coronavirus
• Supporting children and young people with SEND in schools and colleges

- Recording attendance

• Recording attendance

- Childcare, holiday clubs, and after school care

• How childminders, holiday clubs and after school clubs can operate during coronavirus

- Working safely

• Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care

Funding and support for education and childcare

• Get technology support for children and schools
• Financial support for education, early years and children’s social care
• Check if you can get Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare during coronavirus (COVID-19)

​University students and higher education

• Students returning to higher education for the spring term
• Find information about returning to higher education
• Student loans
• University admissions
• Apprentices, employers and training providers
• Colleges
• Office for Students website: student guide to coronavirus

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 Where can I find further information?

Aside from clicking on the relevant links for more information, I would again remind you of the very useful resources and information provided on the following websites:
 
- IPSEA
- Council for Disabled Children
- Contact
- Scope  
- Special Needs Jungle
 
I would also highlight again the fact that you can now get digital copies of the magazines: SEN Magazine and Autism Eye which are both very helpful to any parents or professionals involved with children/young people with SEN

Keep safe until next week.

With best wishes
 
Douglas

P.S I understand that there are a number of educational or other useful resources now on the web, so I would be very grateful if you could let me know of any that you find that other people may find useful, so that I can direct people to it.

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