Covid-19 vaccine: Prioritise staff working with vulnerable children, say sector leaders
Fiona Simpson
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Sector leaders have called for staff working in close contact with children, including those in nurseries and children’s homes, to be among the first to be offered the coronavirus vaccine.
Following the introduction of the new England-wide lockdown this week amid a surge in Covid-19 infection rates, millions of people were told to stay and work at home. But for many practitioners working with vulnerable children and families that is not possible, and face-to-face services continue.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson announced on Monday that early years settings would stay open during the lockdown despite the closure of schools to most pupils.
However, CYP Now understands that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is still in talks with the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education over which sectors will be eligible for occupational vaccination in the next phase of vaccine rollout.
Early years leaders have warned that “thousands of nursery places will be lost by the spring” if staff are not prioritised for the vaccine.
June O’Sullivan, chief executive of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) which runs 39 nurseries across the capital, said that without the vaccine settings may be forced to close due to staff shortages, risking provider’s ability to receive funding for 15 hours free childcare places and grants for the most disadvantaged children.
O’Sullivan said: “The government must vaccinate all nursery and childcare workers as part of the 13.2m ‘priority' people – along with immediate access to free testing, currently available to other essential workers.
“So far, ministers have failed to give any valid explanation as to why the early years is not being prioritised after society's most vulnerable groups and NHS workers have been given the jab.
“Funding from local authorities for the most vulnerable children could be under threat if nurseries are forced to close because staff are off sick with the virus or needing to self-isolate; or if parents are too nervous to bring their children to nursery.
“We saw this during the first lockdown when some of the children living in our most deprived communities kept children indoors for weeks and needed to be coaxed into bringing their children back to nursery. This is deeply concerning as thousands of nursery places will be in jeopardy by the spring – and thousands of valuable early years learning lost.
“Nurseries are the lifeline in keeping people in work and the economy afloat which is why this essential service must be fully supported by the government."
A petition to prioritise teachers, school and childcare staff for the vaccine has so far amassed more than 300,000 signatures meaning it is set to be debated in parliament.
Social care workers are currently listed in the government’s “priority 2 group” meaning they are likely to be vaccinated following the first phase of rollout to those over 50 years of age, and all those 16 years of age and over in a high-risk group. However, it is unclear whether social care staff working with children are included in this category.
The Independent Children’s Homes Association has called for children’s homes workers to be included in this category and is currently in talks with the DfE over the situation, chief executive Peter Sandiford said.
It is also believed that some local authorities have listed children’s home workers among social care staff in their planning for the vaccinations.
Foster care providers have previously called for foster carers to be prioritised for the vaccine over a shortage of sufficiency due to the pandemic.
The Fostering Network argued that foster parents and the children they care for have a higher risk of contracting the virus, as they regularly meet with social workers and other professionals as part of their care.
Many fostered children also regularly meet with their birth families to maintain contact with their biological parents.
Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: “We believe foster carers should be part of the second phase of vaccinations given to those at ‘high risk of exposure and/or those delivering key public services’.”
Jenny Coles, president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, said: “The children’s services workforce, including those working in education settings, front line social workers and staff in children’s homes have continued to support vulnerable children and families throughout the pandemic, either through virtual means or face-to-face contact in a safe environment. The support and care that all parts of the workforce provide is equally important in meeting children’s needs. The government must do all it can so that these essential workers, as well as foster carers, are protected as a matter of priority.
"During the first national lockdown, we were able to adapt to different ways of working. Having improved access to PPE initially allowed us to resume home visits for the most vulnerable children, but the current lockdown and spread of the virus has understandably increased people’s anxieties. ADCS continues to urge government to include children’s services staff in its priority list for receiving access to appropriate testing and the vaccine. Despite the new and increased restrictions, many of our staff will remain on the front line providing vital support for those children and families that need it the most. It is essential that we can ensure their safety as quickly as possible.”
