Coronavirus round-up: Friday 15 May
Fiona Simpson
Friday, May 15, 2020
Education and early years leaders have called on the Education Secretary to publish the data used to inform plans to reopen schools ahead of a meeting with the government’s chief scientific advisers.
- 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.
Teachers’ unions to meet government advisers
Early years and education unions will today meet with the government’s scientific advisers over plans to reopen schools and early years settings.
Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer and Sir Patrick Vallance, chief scientific adviser will be among those attending the briefing.
Teachers’ unions and early years groups are set to seek assurances that opening settings to some children on 1 June will be safe for staff and families.
Unions including NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union and the National Education Union have called on the government to publish scientific data behind the plans.
Adults ‘uncertain’ over how to report suspected child abuse
Over a quarter of adults are unsure of where to seek help if they suspect a child is being abused during lockdown, new research from the NSPCC shows.
The charity surveyed more 2,000 adults across the UK and found that 25 per cent are not confident they would know where to seek help if they thought a child or young person was being abused or neglected.
The survey shows more adults are worried about the impact of the lockdown on children suffering domestic abuse than any other type of harm.
First national data standard for youth work launches
The Centre for Youth Impact has launched the first national data standard for youth work along with key stakeholders across the sector.
The centre has developed the first version of the national standard as an online form including questions about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on organisations.
The aim of the initiative is to provide a simple process for youth work providers to share information about their situation, and develop a national picture of the current challenges faced by the sector as a whole, The Centre for Youth Impact said.
Call to give councils power to close schools
Councils should be given powers to close schools or early years settings where testing shows new clusters of Covid-19 cases, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.
The LGA said councils were working with schools to facilitate a safe phased return which will see three- and four-year olds and children in Year 1 and Year 6 among the first to take up childcare and school places.
It is calling for schools to be given greater flexibility about whether to reopen such as in communities with a high proportion of black, Asian and minority ethnic residents, proven to be at higher risk of contracting the virus.
In addition to powers to close settings where new Covid-19 cases were detected, local authorities should have sufficient resources to provide staff with necessary protective equipment, it added.
Olympians and paralympians encourage children to get fit at home
Following the cancellation of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Team GB and Paralympics GB have launched the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge.
The project led by youth engagement programme Get Set, with funding from Sport England and Spirit of 2012, is supporting millions of 5- to 11-year-olds and their families from across the UK in getting active together while staying at home.
The campaign allows all forms of activity to be logged on the Travel to Tokyo website and provides resources and information for teachers and parents of children of all ages.
