Guidance for families during COVID-19 outbreak

Last updated: 23 September 2021

Pupils have been able to attend school since 8 March. Attendance is mandatory unless your child is self-isolating through receiving a positive test result or they are clinically extremely vulnerable.

All staff working in schools, nurseries and colleges and secondary school and college students should take twice-weekly rapid lateral flow tests.

Help from your child's education setting

We advise that if you have any concerns you speak to your child's education setting. For additional 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
• read and subscribe to our latest SEND newsletter

If your child is unable to attend school or college, their education setting will make appropriate arrangements to continue their education at home.

If your child has a social worker, your child's education setting will contact them directly to put support in place to check on your child's wellbeing.

If you have any concerns about your child attending school or college, we ask that you contact them directly.

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.

Information and support for parents and carers

For additional support download one of the following resources:

• What is coronavirus? (easy read)
• Social isolation resources
• Safety information about coronavirus (easy read)
• 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:
  • cope with bereavement due to coronavirus
  • easy read guide explaining national lockdown
  • helping someone in hospital with coronavirus.

Clinically extremely vulnerable children

Last updated: 20 September 2021

Shielding for clinically extremely vulnerable children has now ended.

This means that people who were previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable ( CEV ) will not be advised to shield in the future or follow specific national guidance.

If this applies to you, you will receive a letter informing you of these changes in more detail and providing further information on available support.

For more information visit the government website.