Coronavirus daily round-up: Monday 1 June
Fiona Simpson
Monday, June 1, 2020
Schools and nurseries across England have opened their doors to some pupils as the government begins to ease lockdown restrictions.
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Each day, CYP Now will summarise the key issues affecting the children and families sector as it tackles the effects of the pandemic. The daily update signposts children’s services practitioners and leaders to the latest developments, expert views, advice and resources.
Schools and nurseries reopen to some pupils
Schools and nurseries have reopened to early years and reception pupils as well as those in years one and six.
The government gave the go-ahead for schools to welcome back some students into settings where class numbers are limited to 15 and social distancing measures are in place from today (1 June).
However, a new report by the National Foundation for Educational Research suggests just 46 per cent of parents will send their children to school this week.
DfE updates guidance on attendance fines, exclusions and SEND
The Department for Education has updated guidance which affects vulnerable pupils as schools reopen.
It has removed the fines for unauthorised absences until 30 June but has relaxed guidance relating to children subject to exclusion or under an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Timeframes to review temporary and permanent exclusions have been relaxed until 30 June.
Local authority duties surrounding EHC plans have been further relaxed, following initial changes in April, to loosen timeframes around the annual review of plans for children transitioning into a different phase of education and the implementation of any actions noted in the outcome of tribunals.
Council refuses to implement relaxed duties
Barking and Dagenham Council has refused to adjust safeguarding practices for vulnerable children despite the government relaxing legislation surrounding the statutory duties of local authorities.
The changes were introduced in April sparking debate across the sector.
Councillor Maureen Worby, cabinet member for health and social care integration at the east London council, said: “We do not welcome these changes which reduce rather than enhance the safety and wellbeing of the most vulnerable children in communities across the country.
“Children in care are already at risk of being isolated, lonely, and frustrated by the restrictions placed on everyone as part of the lockdown and the support of social workers and other care staff is more important than ever before.”
NCS launches first phase of volunteering scheme
The National Citizen Service (NCS) has launched a new scheme aimed at involving teenages in helping charity shops reopen after its summer programme was cancelled due to Covid-19.
The Million Hours Initiative is launching, in collaboration with the Charity Retail Association, to recruit an army of 9,500 young volunteers to support shops as they reopen from 15 June.
The new volunteers will be able to sign-up to help out charities including Barnardos and The Air Ambulance Service from 8 June, the NCS said.
Message of support for young people lights up Piccadilly Circus
A new message of hope for young people by London street artist STIK has lit up the capital’s 783 square metre Piccadilly Lights.
The artwork entitled “We Are Together” has been unveiled as part of Young Westminster Foundation’s (YWF)’s new campaign to support disadvantaged young people during the coronavirus.
The aim of the campaign is to highlight the impact of coronavirus on the one in three young people growing up in poverty in the borough left without the vital technology needed to access education.
YWF hopes to raise much-needed funds to help young people get online, stay connected and access support during the coronavirus crisis.
