Guidance for families during COVID-19 outbreak
Last updated: 5 March 2021
Although national lockdown has been effective and cases have now fallen, the levels of infection still remain high and still pose a high risk threat to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
For the latest government advice for those shielding and protecting people visit the Council for Disabled Children's website or contact your child’s school.
Returning to school
From 8 March, school attendance is mandatory for all children and young people, unless they receive a positive test result, have to self-isolate or are clinically extremely vulnerable.
We advise that you speak with your child before returning to school to explain how they can be safe. For information you can:
- download the government's easy read guide
- download the government's parent guide
- visit our return to school page for helpful advice
Those who are aged 16 to 19 (or 19 to 25 with an educational health and care plan) should attend the majority of their planned hours at school or college.
If your child is unable to attend school or college, your child's education setting will make appropriate arrangements for you to be able to continue your education at home. They will also notify your child's social worker (if they have one) and agree with the social worker the best way to maintain contact and offer support to your child. Alongside this, they will also put in place support to check that your child can access education at home, and to check on their wellbeing.
If you have any concerns about your child attending school or college, we ask that you contact them directly.
Testing and self isolation
Details of the rules around testing and self isolation can be found on our returning to schools page.
Clinically extremely vulnerable children
Last updated: 21 February 2021
The government advice for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) is to continue to go outside for exercise, but to avoid busy areas to minimise the chance of coming into close contact with others. This exercise should be limited to once per day and you should not travel outside your area. Otherwise, please stay at home as much as possible.
Doctors have been reviewing all those who were initially identified as CEV to confirm whether they are still thought to be at highest risk. Your GP should have been in contact with you to discuss this, please follow the guidance provided by them.
Children who live with someone who is CEV should still attend school or college. Information for parents is available from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Information and support for parents and carers
Our services
- School transport for SEND children and young people
- Free school meals
- How to look after your mental health and the wellbeing of your family
- Short break activities with face to face clubs
- Our latest service updates
National government support
- Shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
- Learn what you can and cannot do on the government website
- Home education resources (non SEND)
- Home education resources (SEND)
- Home education resources for under 5s
- Home education resources to support children with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)
NHS support
- Visit the NHS youth health service for looking after your mental health during coronavirus.
- What is coronavirus? (easy read)
IASK support
Online support
- Follow Kent PACT on Facebook
- Download The Keep Safe easy read guidance posters for families during coronavirus
- The Positive Approaches to Support website is for families who care for children, young people or adults with a learning disability or developmental difficulty (including those who are autistic)
- View the latest government guidance which has sought to balance the need for children and young people requiring Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs) to be in their school or college, whilst ensuring that the safety of all staff and pupils has been considered.
- BBC Bitesize have put together some useful tips and guidance to support parents in coping with homeschooling, lockdown and your child's mental health.
- Mencap offer a large amount of online easy read guides dealing with how to: