Notice: 23 February 2021

A round-up of news, guidance and key updates for education settings.

Included in this update:

Director Update

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome back after the half term break. For those of you on leave I hope you had some rest and relaxation!

Yesterday the Prime Minister announced that all schools and colleges will return to full opening from Monday 8 March 2021 as part of the roadmap out of lockdown. In the noticeboard today we have included all DfE updates and guidance that have been released. As before we will ensure that we share key messages with you over the next few weeks including updates at relevant forums.

Additional highlights on the noticeboard today include, details of a newly released online course entitled “Psychological First Aid”, to support anyone who works with children aged up to 25 who have been affected by COVID-19. The Psychological First Aid course offers training on how to provide practical and emotional support to children and young people, please take a look at the full article to find out how this can be used in your setting.

Also launching this week is the local consultation on the Learning Disability Programme, if your setting provides support for adults with learning disabilities please ensure to complete the consultation, more details about workshop dates and consultation survey links will be released soon.

Two educational resources have been included. The first is from Veolia, the recycling and waste contactor for Telford & Wrekin, who are providing free workshops for KS2 to teach children how to look after the environment. The second is from Transport for Wales, who are asking primary school children to join them in naming a new generation of trains!

Have a good week and I look forward to seeing you all soon

Simon

Simon Wellman
Director: Education and Skills

Schools and colleges return to full opening from Monday 8 March 2021

Information from the Department for Education (DfE)

The Prime Minister announced on Monday 22 February 2021 that the Government has set out its plan for the return of all pupils to schools and colleges, as part of the roadmap for leaving lockdown, which was published today.

All schools, colleges and further education settings will open to all pupils from 8 March/

All schools will return to face-to-face education on Monday 8 March 2021.

All primary school pupils will return on Monday 8 March 2021. Primary school staff will continue to take two rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) tests each week at home to identify positive cases more quickly and break the chains of transmission.

All secondary school and college students will take coronavirus (COVID-19) tests as they return to the classroom from Monday 8 March 2021. Schools and colleges will have discretion on how to phase the return of their students over the week beginning 8 March to allow them to be tested on return.

After an initial programme of 3 tests in school or college, students will be provided with two rapid tests to use each week at home. Secondary school and college staff will also continue to be provided with two tests to use each week at home.

Rapid testing

Staff and students in secondary schools and colleges are advised to wear face coverings in all areas, including classrooms, where social distancing cannot be maintained as a temporary extra measure.

Face masks - staff, pupils and students in secondary schools, colleges and universities are advised to wear face coverings in classrooms as an extra precaution.

Specialist settings, including alternative provision, which have remained open to the majority of children and young people throughout the lockdown, are encouraged to work with their secondary school students and their families to agree the most appropriate way for them to access twice-weekly testing.

Wraparound childcare for primary and secondary pupils will resume where this provision is necessary to support parents to work, attend education and access medical care, and to support pupil’s wider education and training.

University students on practical courses who need to access specialist facilities and equipment can return to in-person teaching and learning from Monday 8 March. Twice weekly testing will continue to be available for all on campus.

For the remaining HE students, the Government will review, by the end of the Easter holidays, the options for timing of the return of these students. This will take account of the latest data and will then be a key part of the wider roadmap steps. Students and institutions will be given a week’s notice ahead of any return.

We have updated the following guidance to reflect the changes announced by the Prime Minister on the wider reopening of schools and colleges from Monday 8 March 2021:

Message to education leaders from the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson

First published: 22 February 2021

I would like to thank you for the huge effort that you have put in to provide remote and on-site education for pupils and students during these national restrictions, and indeed all of your hard work throughout the pandemic. I would particularly pay tribute to those leaders of special and alternative provision schools, and special post-16 providers, which have remained fully open to vulnerable children and young people throughout the latest lockdown. I recognise that this has been a very challenging time. I am continually impressed with, and immensely grateful for, the tremendous work in ensuring that schools and colleges have been able to ensure children and young people continue to receive the best education possible.

I am writing to set out in greater detail the easing of restrictions on face-to-face teaching announced today.

When the Prime Minister announced this lockdown, he was clear he would review the situation in mid-February and that the outcome of this review would be dependent upon the most vulnerable people being offered the first dose of the vaccine by 15 February, meaning they should have developed some immunity from the virus by about three weeks later, that is by 8 March.

I am pleased to say that, thanks to the efforts of the NHS, volunteers and scientists, the Government has achieved this target and, following an in-depth analysis of the virus prevalence data, and the data on NHS capacity, both suggest that infection rates have fallen across all ages, including in children and young people.

Today, the Prime Minister set out the next phase of the Government’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19), including where restrictions on attendance at education settings can be lifted. The decision to ease restrictions is made on the balance of risk to public health and educational considerations.

Return

All schools, colleges and further education settings should allow full attendance from 8 March 2021. Wraparound childcare, including childminders should also allow attendance for eligible children. School attendance will be mandatory for all pupils, with secondary schools and colleges able to phase return over the week of 8 March 2021 to allow students to be offered testing on return.

The usual rules and duties around school attendance are in place from 8 March 2021 (including mandatory attendance). All schools should communicate expectations about regular attendance to pupils and parents. Schools should identify pupils at risk of disengagement and develop plans to re-engage them.

Early years settings will continue to be open to all children, as they have throughout the period of national restrictions.

In further education settings, we expect that every 16 to 19 student (or 19 to 25 with an EHCP) will undertake the majority of their planned hours on site. For adults, as is best practice, further education providers should determine the appropriate balance of on-site and remote education and training, based on the type of programme and the student’s ability to engage with the programme remotely.

Higher education providers should recommence in-person teaching and learning from 8 March 2021 for students on practical or practice-based (including creative arts) courses who need access to specialist equipment and facilities. The Government will review, by the end of the Easter holidays, the options for timing of the return of remaining students. This review will take account of the latest data and will be a key part of the wider roadmap steps. Students and providers will be given a week’s notice ahead of any further return.

Based on the recent ONS data, the risks to education, childcare and HE staff are similar to those for most other occupations. Although the public health picture is improving, it remains crucial that steps are taken to reduce and mitigate any risks within education and childcare settings. DfE has worked closely with PHE to develop and refresh the system of controls to reduce the risk of transmission in education and childcare settings, based on scientific rationale.

Rapid testing

Since January, education leaders across schools, colleges and universities have been involved in a fantastic national effort to test their staff and students. Over 4 million tests have already been completed under your collective leadership and I would like to thank you for all the work you have done to set up the programme so far.

Rapid testing will continue to remain a vital part of the Government’s plan to supress this virus, in education and childcare settings and across society. This sort of testing means that asymptomatic people who might otherwise continue to attend educational settings are identified and self-isolate.

Twice-weekly asymptomatic testing is already available for secondary school, most college, primary school, special school, special post-16, school-based nursery and maintained nursery school workforce, including support staff such as teaching assistants and those supporting with wraparound childcare. Secondary schools and colleges have also been able to offer testing on return for their students, and we are now asking those leaders to put this in place for all students across the week of the 8 March 2021 as they return.

Today, we have also announced the further expansion of this asymptomatic testing programme to include offering regular twice weekly testing of secondary school and college students at home, home based testing for secondary staff. Home testing will also be available for Independent Training Providers and Adult and Community Learning Providers by the end of March.

Rapid testing is already in place for those arriving or staying at university. We ask HE providers to offer two tests to all students eligible to attend their university or HE institution upon their return, and twice weekly asymptomatic testing to all students eligible to attend on-site, as well as providing testing for staff.

All staff at private, voluntary and independent nurseries will have access to tests to use twice weekly at home, building on the testing already available to maintained nursery schools and school-based nurseries. Childminders can continue to access community testing, and the Department continues to work with colleagues across Government to review the testing approach available for childminders.

Safety measures

The return to on-site provision for all education, childcare and children’s social care settings will be supported by a range of actions designed to minimise the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). I know how hard you have all worked to implement these measures and this continues to be vital.

We have worked closely with PHE to develop and refresh the system of controls to reduce the risk of transmission in education and childcare settings, based on scientific rationale. The system of controls supports you to assess risk and implement measures to mitigate risk, including ventilating occupied spaces, introducing enhanced cleaning and retaining bubbles of students. We ask pupils, students and staff to continue to do everything they can to adhere to these measures, because it is vital that they are implemented well and consistently.

In addition to the system of controls, where pupils in year 7 and above are educated, we recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and pupils where social distancing cannot easily be maintained when moving around the premises outside of classrooms or teaching spaces, such as in corridors and communal areas. In the same settings for a limited period, we recommend the use of face coverings in classrooms and other teaching spaces, unless wearing a face covering would impact on the ability to take part in exercise or strenuous activity, for example in PE lessons, or for those who are exempt from wearing a face covering as set out in Government guidance.

In primary schools and early years settings, face coverings should be worn by staff and adult visitors where social distancing between adults is not possible. Children in primary schools do not need to wear a face covering.

Education recovery and qualifications

I know you are completely aware that missing face-to-face education has severe impacts for children and young people, with clear evidence that time out of face-to-face education is detrimental for cognitive and academic development, learning, health and wellbeing. That’s why the Government has been clear that restricting attendance in education settings was a last resort, and why education is being prioritised as we begin to ease restrictions.

We will be setting out further measures for immediate support to children, early years settings, schools, colleges and local authorities later this week.

I and Ofqual will also be setting out very soon further details of the alternative arrangements to exams. This follows the consultation which received over 100,000 responses, including from so many of you and your students.

I am very pleased that we are able to return children and young people across England to their classrooms and colleges, to allow them to spend time with their friends and teachers and get back into the rhythms of the school or college year. I would like to thank you again for all the hard work you have done and continue to do to ensure that children and young people can return to face-to-face learning as smoothly as possible.

The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP

Secretary of State for Education

More adults asked to shield who are clinically extremely vulnerable

The Department of Health and Social Care has added a third category to the definition of clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV). The definition has been expanded to include a new group of adults who have been identified through the COVID-19 population risk assessment as potentially being at high risk of serious illness if they catch the virus.

Individuals identified as CEV through this risk assessment are advised to follow guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable people, which has now been extended until 31 March 2021. Anyone newly identified as part of this group will be notified.

Where a member of staff who works within an education setting is advised to shield, they and their employer should discuss how they can best be supported, including working from home.

If individual settings are facing operational challenges in allowing children, pupils, or students to attend, they should work with the local authority (childcare and early years settings), RSC (schools) or ESFA territorial teams (FE providers) to discuss their individual circumstances and seek support.

Sector-specific guidance outlines a number of options for settings to consider if they are facing staff shortages or capacity issues.

Reminder: Don't forget to complete the Educational Settings Attendance Form

Please don't forget to complete the Department for Education (DfE) educational settings attendance form by 2pm each day.

Educational Setting Status Form

The information you provide through the form continues to support the government’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Your data will help us build a national picture of educational provision, including attendance of vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers in school or college. This will enable us to focus support more effectively, help inform the government’s response and ensure children and young people are safe.

The DfE are asking you to provide information on:

the number of pupils or students and workforce on site
the number of pupils or students with a social worker or an education, health and care plan; children of critical workers; and eligible for free school meals
the provision for free school meals for pupils or students on site and those learning remotely
pupil or student absences due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

Further guidance on completing the educational setting status form, and the full list of questions for schools and colleges, can be found in the guidance on recording attendance during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Please provide your data by 2pm each working day.

If your school or college is closed for any reason other than a planned holiday (e.g. on public health advice due to coronavirus, for non-coronavirus reasons or a planned teacher training inset day), please continue to complete the form.

If you have any questions that are not answered by the guidance, please call the Department for Education’s coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline on: 0800 046 8687.

Main changes for Early Years following the Prime Ministers announcement on the phased lifting of restrictions due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Prime Minister has set out the next phase of the government’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19), including where some restrictions can be lifted. The decision to ease restrictions is made on the balance of risk to public health and educational considerations.

We have published today the 13th iteration of ‘actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak’ guidance: Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The Main changes to the guidance for early years:

Face coverings

We have clarified the guidance on wearing of face coverings where social distancing between staff in communal areas is not possible.

Childminders for school-aged children

Childminders can continue to look after all early years children. Until 8 March 2021, childminders should continue to only look after those school-age children (from reception onwards) who are vulnerable or children of critical workers. From 8 March, childminders will be able to look after vulnerable children as normal, and all other children where parents are using the provision to support them to work, seek work, undertake education or training, or attend a medical appointment or address a medical need.

Testing

We have added a section on asymptomatic testing to the guidance confirming that we are now expanding home testing kits to staff in all private, voluntary and independent nurseries, who should start to receive deliveries of Lateral Flow Device (LFD) home testing kits to offer to all their staff for twice weekly testing from next month. This is will help to identify positive cases more quickly and break the chains of transmissions. Childminders can continue to access community testing, and the Department continues to work with colleagues across government to review the testing approach available for childminders. Mass testing for secondary pupils as all schools and colleges fully reopen from 8 March 2021.

Guidance updates

We continue to provide the sector with guidance and support during the period of national lockdown. For information, links to the published guidance are provided below:

Available to download is a letter of thanks from the Secretary of State, Gavin Williamson.

Mass testing for secondary pupils as all schools and colleges fully reopen from 8 March 2021

First Published: 22 February 2021

The government has today (Monday 22 February) set out its plan for the return of all pupils to schools and colleges as part of the roadmap for leaving lockdown, published this afternoon.

The government has been clear that the return to face-to-face education is the national priority and that 2 weeks’ notice would be given ahead of any change. The return to school for all pupils is being prioritised due to the significant and proven impact caused by being out of school to the health and wellbeing of children and young people.

All students will begin to return to face-to-face education on 8 March 2021 with the following testing measures in place:

all primary school children will return on Monday 8 March 2021. Primary school staff will continue to take 2 rapid COVID-19 tests each week at home
all secondary school and college students will take three COVID-19 tests as they return to the classroom from the 8 March at existing school testing facilities. Schools and colleges will have discretion on how to test students over that week to enable their return to the classroom. After the initial programme of three tests in school or college, students will be provided with 2 rapid tests to use each week at home
secondary school and college staff will also be provided with 2 tests to use each week at home
university students on practical courses who need to access specialist facilities and equipment can return to in-person teaching and learning from Monday 8 March 2021. Twice weekly testing will continue to be available for all on campus

Wraparound childcare for primary and secondary pupils will resume from Monday 8 March where necessary to enable parents to access work, education or medical care.

Staff and students in secondary schools and colleges are advised to wear face coverings in all areas, including classrooms, where social distancing cannot be maintained and as a temporary extra measure.

For the remaining university students, the government will review, by the end of the Easter holidays, the options for timing of their return. This will take account of the latest data and will then be a key part of the wider roadmap steps. Students and institutions will be given a week’s notice ahead of any return.

All staff at private, voluntary and independent nurseries will have access to tests to use twice weekly at home, building on the testing already available to maintained nursery schools and school-based nurseries. Childminders can continue to access community testing, and the Department continues to work with colleagues across government to review the testing approach available for childminders.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

I know this is a moment that students and parents up and down the country have been waiting for, and I would like to take this opportunity to give my thanks to all education and childcare staff and parents who have worked so hard to make sure students have continued to receive a high-quality education throughout this lockdown.

The testing of staff and students ahead of their return to secondary schools and colleges, alongside strengthened safety measures, should reassure families and education staff that extra measures are in place alongside the existing bubble system, enhanced hygiene and COVID secure precautions.

We are all well aware that being back in school or college brings huge benefits to young people’s education, development and wellbeing. The classroom is the very best place for education and the return of face-to-face teaching for all pupils will be a welcome move for pupils and parents across the country.

Testing in education settings is already well-established, as recent figures showed four million tests had been conducted across schools, colleges and universities.

Public Health England continues to advise that the existing range of safety measures in place in education settings remains appropriate – including bubble groups, staggering start and finish times, increasing ventilation and hygiene, regular testing and maintaining distance between adults where possible.

Extending the use of face coverings to classrooms is a temporary measure until Easter, and as with all measures the government will keep it under review.

Teachers should continue to be sensitive to the additional needs of their students, such as deafness, in deciding whether it is appropriate to wear a face covering.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

We have rolled out rapid testing to schools and universities at great pace to help drive down transmission rates among school age children, college and university students. I am very pleased that regular testing is now supporting the reopening of schools and face-to-face education.

Around one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising it, so rapid regular testing offers a reliable and effective additional tool to help keep schools safe.

Professor Viv Bennett, Chief Nurse and Director of Maternity and Early Years, at Public Health England said:

We have always advised that schools should be the last to close and first to open. It is vital for children’s wellbeing that we get schools open again.

Staff, parents and pupils can feel reassured by scientific evidence that shows transmission in schools is low and that children are not drivers of infection in schools or the wider community.

The system of controls and the introduction of rapid testing programmes in place in schools offer further reassurance in the measures taken to maximise the safety of the school environment.

Most importantly, we know that infection rates in schools are driven by transmission in the wider community. It remains essential that we all continue to keep or contacts to a minimum and follow restrictions outside the school gates so that schools can re-open and stay open.

The consensus view from SAGE continues to be that missing out on classroom-based education has severe impacts for children and young people, with clear evidence that further time out of schools and colleges is detrimental for cognitive and academic development, learning, health and wellbeing.

Evidence from the Public Health England-led Schools Infection Study continues to show that infection rates in schools mirror infection rates in the wider community, suggesting schools are not the main driver of infections.

Testing sites already set up in secondary schools and colleges should remain operational for students who find it difficult to test themselves at home.

Watch the video on @educationgovuk on the Department of Education (DfE) Twitter - Mass Testing in Secondary Schools.

Watch the video on @educationgovuk on the Department of Education (DfE) Twitter - Home test kits for staff in private, voluntary and independent nurseries.

Rapid testing webinar – 24 February 2021

Information from the Department for Education (DfE)

We are running a webinar on 24 February 2021 between 12pm and 2pm to provide secondary schools and colleges with an update on the rapid testing programme. If you are unable to join the webinar, it will be recorded and available to watch shortly after. Secondary schools and colleges can join the webinar using the following link:

Rapid testing webinar – 24 February 2021, 12pm to 2pm

Bulk registration for asymptomatic testing sites in secondary schools and colleges

Information from the Department for Education (DfE)

The Register test kits for your organisation service can now be used to register (‘bulk upload’) up to 100 test kits for your school or college. This allows NHS Test and Trace to inform the contacts provided with their result after the result of the test is recorded. The ‘bulk upload’ service is an alternative to the Register a coronavirus test (lateral flow test) service.

The digital guidebook has been updated on the schools and colleges document sharing platform. Users of the service may wish to read a copy of the ‘tips for using the bulk upload spreadsheet’ on slide 24 before using the service for the first time.

Changes to LFD Tests within 90 days of a positive PCR test

Information from Public Health England has again changed regarding the need to conduct LFD tests within 90 days of a positive PCR test. The advice dated 5 February 2021 is currently as follows, please note this is subject to change.

School Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – Primary

Testing within 90 days of confirmed Covid diagnosis

If staff/students have recently (within 90 days) tested positive for Covid-19, they are likely to have developed some immunity. People are exempt from testing by both PCR and LFD tests within 90 days of a positive test, unless they develop new symptoms.

However, subjects may choose to take an LFD test after the isolation period. This should only be done after completion of the required self-isolation period. (Government Guidance: Stay at Home Guidance for Households with Possible Coronavirus Infection) If they are found positive on a LFD test, they will be required to self-isolate for 10 days or longer if symptomatic.

They are still required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case, even if this is within the 90-day window.

School Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – Secondary

Testing someone with a recent Covid-19 diagnosis:

If staff/students have recently (within 90 days) tested positive for Covid-19, they are likely to have developed some immunity.

These people are exempt from testing by both PCR (and LFD where a confirmatory PCR is not required) within 90 days of a positive test, unless they develop new symptoms.

However, subjects may choose to take an LFD test after the isolation period. If found positive on LFD test, they will be required to self-isolate for 10 days or longer if symptomatic. This should only be done after the completion of the required self-isolation period (Government Guidance: Stay at Home Guidance for Households with Possible Coronavirus Infection).

They are still required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case, even if this is within the 90-day window.

(Where applicable, for daily contact testing studies/pilots, these individuals may choose to self-isolate for 10 days or take part in daily contact testing with LFD for 7 days. If the LFD is found positive during daily contact testing, they will be required to self-isolate for 10 days.)

Deadline for SFVS moved back from 31 March 2021 to 28 May 2021

Local authority maintained schools must submit the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFV) annually to their local authority, usually by 31 March 2021. Academies are not required to do this.

Local authorities use this information to inform our programme of financial assessment and audit.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Department for Education (DfE) has decided that the SFVS return should be delayed this year. This is to take account of the current pressures schools and local authorities are facing.

For the financial year 2020 to 2021, maintained schools should submit their SFVS to us (Tim Davis, tim.davis@telford.gov.uk) no later than 28 May 2021.
Thanks to those of you who have already submitted this.

Public Health England launches new Psychological First Aid training

Press Release GOV.UK

From Monday 22 February 2021, people who care for or work with children and young people aged up to 25 who have been affected by COVID-19 (or other emergencies or individual crises) will be able to access a new online Psychological First Aid (PFA) training course.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on children, with many reporting that it has made them feel more stressed, lonely and worried.

The online course, developed by Public Health England (PHE), offers training on how to provide practical and emotional support to children and young people affected by emergencies or crisis situations. Children and young people can be very resilient, but crises such as COVID-19 can severely impact their mental health. Getting the right support early on can help prevent problems occurring or worsening.

Those completing the training will be equipped to better identify those children that are in distress and provide support to help them feel safe, connected and able to take steps to help themselves during the pandemic or other crisis situations.

It’s available for all frontline workers such as teachers, health and social workers, charity and community volunteers and anyone who cares for or is regularly in contact with children and young people aged up to 25, including parents and caregivers. It’s free, takes about 3 hours to complete (split into 3 sessions that the learner can complete at their own pace) and no previous qualifications are required.

On completion, participants will have an understanding of what PFA is, be able to identify who would benefit from support and how best to give help across the different age groups and also for those who might need extra support because of different needs.

Clare Perkins, Director of the Mental Health Programme at PHE, said:

The pandemic has caused significant disruption to all of our daily lives. Children are among the worse impacted, being stuck at home and not able to have the essential social interactions with their friends. Many young people are anxious and worried about their future in these uncertain times.

Children and young people will react to the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways. The PFA training course will help professionals, volunteers, parents and carers better identify the signs of those who are struggling and give them timely effective support that is right for them – helping them feel safe and able to help themselves.

PFA is a globally recognised training programme designed to support people during or in the aftermath of a serious event. PHE has adapted this training for those supporting children and young people with advice from a range of experts, including NHS England, the Department for Education and the British Red Cross and is being made available online by social learning platform, Future Learn.

This new course follows the success of the PFA training for COVID-19 that PHE launched in June 2020 which to date has received over 100,000 sign-ups from frontline workers and volunteers. The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team also launched last week an adaption of the PFA course for use in African countries affected by COVID-19.

Children and Families Minister Vicky Ford said:

This new training module is being introduced at an important time. I know how difficult the pandemic has been for children and young people across the country, and this additional support for those working with them every day – whether they are parents and carers, teachers, health and social care workers, or volunteers – is timely and necessary.

It builds on our commitment to supporting children and young people’s mental health now and over the long-term, and the expertise already available like our £8 million Wellbeing for Education Return programme. This includes a webinar for education staff that draws on and complements this Psychological First Aid e-learning. They will both be of enormous value to those who want to help and improve children and young people’s mental wellbeing, including teachers.

Minister for Mental Health Nadine Dorries said:

Children and young people have been uniquely challenged by the events of the last year. I remain absolutely committed to supporting them through this pandemic and beyond, ensuring we equip them with the tools and support they need to stay mentally well.

This training will ensure those who work with children and young people – including parents and caregivers – can support their wellbeing by identifying signs of distress and helping them access the support they need.

We know that while children can be very resilient, crises or emergencies can have a huge impact on their mental health and we must continue to ensure they can access the support they need.

Claire Murdoch, NHS Mental Health Director, said:

The pandemic has turned our lives upside down and hit children and young people particularly hard. Working with our partners, we have been doing everything possible to make sure that they are fully supported and this online training will be invaluable in helping people to understand how best to offer the right support at the right time.

It has been a tough year, but the NHS is here for children’s mental health, so anyone who is struggling should come forward for the help they need.

Dr Sarah Davidson, Head of Psychosocial and Mental Health, British Red Cross, said:

This resource from PHE enables a thoughtful, developmentally appropriate response to children and young people who have experienced a crisis. Clear and including helpful links to other resources, it will help people to know how to be supportive whilst avoiding further harm.

Background information

The course is free for all who care for and work with children and young people aged between 0 and 25. No previous qualifications are required to enrol.

For guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus please visit GOV.UK and Every Mind Matters.

The Psychological First Aid (PFA) training course is a training resource to equip people with information to help others. It is not intended as a therapeutic intervention for those who are experiencing distress or crisis. Anyone needing help should visit NHS 111 website, call 111 or contact their GP.

Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership Board – February Newsletter

Available to download is the Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership Board – February Newsletter.

The Partnership Team would like to share a roundup of all key messages, documents and links that have been sent to us for circulation. If you have anything that you would like to be included in the updates, please send the information to partnerships@telford.gov.uk.

Subsidised virtual safeguarding lessons for summer term from Loudmouth Education & Training

Loudmouth Education & Training have received funding from Telford & Wrekin Council to offer subsidised sessions of their Helping Hands programme for year 5 this summer term.

The programme looks at how to stay safe in their on and off-line relationships. Using the NSPCC’s PANTS rule, the Safe Team teaches how to recognise the feelings that may occur when you feel unsafe. Helping Hands explores sensitive topics focusing in on domestic abuse as well as child sexual abuse and exploitation in an appropriate, safe and gentle way.

The virtual session consists of

a pre-recorded drama and character interview which is sent to you in advance to show to your class/es
live streamed workshops with each class run by Loudmouth staff via Microsoft Teams.

Telford & Wrekin Council have subsidised these sessions, so schools in their area only pay £3 per student.

Watch a short film about how the Helping Hands virtual sessions work.

Watch the video

Loudmouth has been working with children and young people to support them to be happy, safe and healthy since 1994.

With the rise of cases of child and domestic abuse during this pandemic, Loudmouth are hoping that many more local primaries will join the growing number that already taken on this vital programme.

Please contact Louise@loudmouth.co.uk or phone 0121 4464880.

Loudmouth Programme – Helping Hands

Talking Heads - Free resource on mental wellbeing and coronavirus for secondary school pupils

The Good News is Telford & Wrekin Council’s Community Safety Partnership is funding Loudmouth’s Talking Heads programme. Loudmouth have now adapted the programme on mental wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic into three EASY formats that secondary schools in Telford & Wrekin area are able to access free of charge until 15/3/21.

The Home School format.

This is a pupil run pre-recorded online session that can be used on devices at home or in the classroom. All of the lesson is on a film accessed through the Word doc workbook.

Live Learning format.

This is a teacher led session that can be used with students at home or in the classroom. It is run using PowerPoint via Teams or Zoom with links to the drama and evaluation plus a Word doc workbook for the students to fill in.

Press & Play format.

This is a teacher led session that can be used with pupils in the classroom, face to face. The lesson is a pre-recorded video.

Access all 3 formats for free

Talking Heads looks at how to support positive mental wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic for Key Stages 3 – 5. This online pre-recorded lesson has been created specifically to support young people to have positive mental health during these strange times. The lesson helps students learn ways to spot signs of mental wellbeing concerns, strategies for positive mental wellbeing and where to go for support.

Talking Heads Online Trailer on Vimeo

All the formats contain a filmed drama and interview plus activities based on Loudmouth’s original successful theatre in education programme. There are extra lesson plans also provided.

The engaging and important resource is available to use for FREE from today until the 15 March 2021.

Learning Disability (LD) Programme – Consultation Launch 25 February 2021

We want to hear from adults with learning disabilities, families, carers and staff who care for, or work with them. This will enable us to finalise the Strategy and help us enable people with learning disabilities to live well in Telford and Wrekin.

Consultation Spring 2021

The Local Authority, Learning Disability Partnership and all the member organisations, are determined to do everything we can to make sure that all people with learning disability in Telford and Wrekin live well and enjoy a full life, with as much independence as possible.

We are proud that there is good support for people in Telford and Wrekin, but we know there are many things that could be better. We want to make these improvements over the next four years. We have limited resources and we cannot do everything at once but the draft Learning Disability Strategy (2021 - 2025) sets out the most important things and we will focus on these.

Download the draft Telford & Wrekin Council Learning Disability Strategy (2021 - 2025) for more information on the strategy for adults with a Learning Disability.

The consultation will launch on Thursday 25 February 2021 at 4pm and close at 5pm on 29 April 2021.

How to get involved:

For Adults with Learning Disabilities

Complete an easy read questionnaire available from Thursday 25 February 2021.
Take part in a virtual session - dates to be announced on Thursday 25 February 2021.
Email your views to: LDconsultation@telford.gov.uk.

For Family Members and Family Carers (unpaid)

Complete the online questionnaire available from Thursday 25 February 2021.
Take part in a virtual session - dates to be announced on Thursday 25 February 2021.
Email your views to: LDconsultation@telford.gov.uk.

For people who care for, or work with adults with learning disabilities

Complete the online questionnaire available from Thursday 25 February 2021.
Take part in a virtual session - dates to be announced on Thursday 25 February 2021.
Email your views to: LDconsultation@telford.gov.uk.

For more information please contact us by:

Email: ldconsultation@telford.gov.uk
Telephone: 01952 383009

To find out more about Telford and Wrekin Learning Disability (LD) Partnership Board take a look at their website.

Telford and Wrekin Learning Disability (LD) Partnership Board

Virtual Primary and Secondary Music Network Meeting – Thursday 4 March 2021

Thursday 4 March 2021
4.30pm – 5.30pm

All Primary and Secondary Music co-ordinators/Heads of Music are invited to a Virtual Primary and Secondary Music Network meeting. The session will be led by Graeme Rudland, Music Curriculum Consultant and Ofsted Advisor for The Music Partnership.

The session will include updates on recent national advice and guidance, including information on OfSTED's future plans, and reports on research into what is working well in remote education.

There will be opportunities for colleagues to share successes and challenges of the past few months, and signpost to each other resources that have been useful.

Bookings can be made by emailing telford.music@telford.gov.uk. A meeting invitation will then be sent to you nearer the time.

Any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Grants of up to £5k to bring your green ideas to life

Do you need funding for a project that will reduce carbon emissions and support a green recovery in Telford and Wrekin?

Grants of up to £5k are available to community groups, faith groups, friends groups, schools, and local councils and grants of up to £2.5K to small businesses with a green idea to help reduce their carbon footprint

The Telford and Wrekin Climate Change Fund is a sustainable initiative being offered by Telford & Wrekin Council as part of its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030, with the aspiration for the borough to be carbon neutral by then too.

Cllr Carolyn Healy is leading the rallying call for applications. She said: “We can all do something that makes a difference and if you have got an idea about how you can reduce your carbon footprint, this funding is here to help you with that.”

Applications for grants are invited for a range of carbon reducing ideas, such as:

Renewable energy generation – solar PV panels, hydro turbines, ground or air source heat pumps
Energy efficiency measures – LED lighting, loft insulation, water conservation, upgrading heating systems, lighting or heating controls, double/triple glazing
Sustainable travel – cycle stands, electric bikes, EV charging points
Reducing waste – re-use initiatives, community composting, reduce single use plastic

Small or large, your green ideas can have a big impact.

Deadline for applications is noon on 19 April 2021.

Full details and to apply

Sustainable Telford & Wrekin – Climate Change Fund

The R Team! An inspiring resource to look after our environment

An inspiring educational KS2 resource to empower children to make a difference to our environment has been created by our recycling and waste contractor Veolia.

The free set of workshops teach children how to reduce, reuse and recycle household waste; it incorporates the topics of climate change, litter and the journey of waste along the way. Aside from gaining knowledge, children are challenged to consider the actions they can take to look after our planet.

Steve Mitchell, Veolia Director (West) said: “We’re delighted to present this free resource to schools and educators in Telford and Wrekin. Children can learn about waste as a resource, and the importance of preserving natural resources and saving energy. It’s about inspiring young people, and encouraging them to think about how they can be part of caring for the planet.”

Veolia, the UK’s leading resource management company, provides kerbside recycling and waste collection services in Telford and Wrekin as well as running the two Household Recycling Centres.

More information on the resource can be found on the Veolia website.

Join Transport for Wales on the Magnificent Train Journey!

Do you want to inspire our future generations to use public transport and travel in a greener way? Transport for Wales are asking you to help us name our new generation of trains.

We’re inviting primary school children in Wales and the borders to join us on the Magnificent Train Journey.

On our journey, we'll learn all about the environment, myths and legends and transport, before arriving at our Creation Station where pupils will get the chance to submit an entry to name a train.

Transport for Wales have developed online resources to equip you with the tools and inspiration you’ll need to bring pupils along on the Magnificent Train Journey.

It's designed with the Welsh Key Stage 2 curriculum in mind but is also relevant to the English curriculum. There are lesson plans, resources, and activities for five topics, including an interactive learning experience that pupils can work through at home if we’re not back in the classroom.

Access your resources and find out more about the competition

The competition opens on 21 February 2021 and closes on 26 March 2021.

We can’t wait to see your school’s amazing entries.

This entry was posted by Marianne on Monday, 22 February 2021.

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