Director of Public Health for Waltham Forest Council, Joe McDonnell, has filmed a video talking about the important steps we can take as we move into the high alert level.

On Wednesday 7 October 2020, the Government updated the guidance for test kits for schools and further education (FE) providers to provide further advice on the distribution of test kits for symptomatic staff and communicate how schools and FE providers can look up their unique organisation number.

The Returning to School booklet has now been translated to Urdu and Polish for parents and families so they can learn about how schools and colleges will be keeping children and young people safe, to help reassure parents and aBswer some of their questions.

Health care workers providing support in all schools and Early Years Childcare settings will follow the agreed Infection Prevention and Control for Health Care Settings.  Please allow health care workers visiting your school to follow the controls their employer has provided in their risk assessment, especially as they may interact with different bubbles within your school and also with different schools.

Guidance for schools regarding suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The Department for Education have recently published “Guidance for full opening: schools”, recommending Public Health England’s free infection prevention education resource ‘e-Bug’.

Key COVID-19 information and guidance has been translated into 15 languages.

Schools and further education institutions receiving a delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Important information for schools on when to contact DfE’s helpline and when to contact your local Health Protection Team.

Information by the Department for Education on responding to COVID-19 symptoms. 

A new public information campaign has been launched ahead of winter to highlight how everyone can help to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Guidance for Schools and Further Education providers on ordering additional COVID-19 test kits. 

Download guidance on face coverings for primary, secondary and special schools. 

Updated: Waltham Forest has produced guidance for schools and Early Years settings in event of a possible or confirmed case of COVID-19.

Share this booklet with parents and families, so they can learn about how schools and colleges will be keeping children and young people safe, to help reassure parents and answer some of their questions.

A guide and resources to help school leaders communicate with parents who are preparing for their child's return to school this September 2020.

Waltham Forest has produced this COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document which include responses to questions that have been asked by childcare settings in Waltham Forest and answers to questions which highlight important aspects of the national guidance specific for under 5s provision.

These FAQs for childcare settings have been updated to reflect the changes in guidance that will be in place from the Monday 20 July 2020.

This document does not include questions and answers relating to the test and trace system and what to do in the event of a suspected or confirmed case.

Staff holidays, quarantine requirements and the need for staff to be available to attend school at the start of the Autumn Term

This guidance is for school leaders for the management of staff annual leave in light of the requirement for returning travellers to the UK to quarantine for 14 days. 

Waltham Forest's top priority is preventing COVID-19. The coucil have devised a plan and will be working with local partners and diverse communities to ensure all residents, organisations and businesses have the information they need to take responsible action to protect their health and our most vulnerable residents. 

Should appraisals and performance management processes continue for teachers during this period?

Update on risk assessment following TFL update on wearing face coverings.

The Department for Transport and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to reassure drivers and to remind businesses of their obligations under the Workplace regulations 1992 to provide suitable toilet and hand washing facilities to drivers visiting their premises.  

The National Youth Agency report Out of Sight? Vulnerable Young People: COVID-19 Response has three top concerns:

• Increased mental health problems’
• ‘Missing from education’
• ‘At risk, at home’

Management of staff and assessing personal health circumstances and availability. Complete the new assessment form. 

Local authority's position statement with regards to re-opening Ofsted registered childcare and Free Early Education provision from Monday 1 June 2020.

In light of the opening of some schools and settings and children returning to take up their Free Early Education Entitlement there has been further updates including an extension of funding for different cohorts of children.

The use of non-alcohol sanitisers is not effective against the COVID-19 virus.

The Early Years, Childcare and Business Development Service  have produced a re-opening plan template for private voluntary and independent sector based on Government guidance and additional best practice.

The council employs a range of staff who are required to visit clients during their work. Before carrying out a visit, staff should call the client and ascertain.

In response to enquiries made by schools, Early Help has provided the following responses to the work that they are carrying out during COVID-19.

In response to enquiries made by schools, Safeguarding has provided the following responses to the work that they are carrying out during COVID-19.

In response to enquiries made by schools, BACME has provided the following responses to the work that they are carrying out during COVID-19.

Directors of Public Health across London agreed that a suite of common, London-branded resources for use across the system would be useful in order to reduce duplication of effort and to ensure consistent messaging across London.

As we are aware, children won’t be in school for some time, and it will be longer before they return to normal. We can continue children’s education at home.
The Education Endownment Foundation (EEF) have looked at research to help teachers achieve the best for the children they teach.

The Government has launched a National Testing Programme that provides COVID-19 tests to critical workers or symptomatic members of their household.

Waltham Forest has produced a summary of published DfE guidance on relevant funding and financial measures to support schools during COVID-19.

The government has put in place a number of funding and financial measures to support organisations during COVID 19 outbreak.

DfE have produced guidance on funding available to schools to support them with costs associated with COVID-19.

Guidance from DfE on the payment of suppliers during COVID-19.

Information for Ofsted registered Early Years and Schools Nursery Class providers.

A range of information for Ofsted registered Early Years and Childcare providers and schools delivering Free early education places relating to the potential impact of Covid 19, including children’s learning, staffing, finance and supporting vulnerable children/families.

The DfE has produced guidance is to help schools and teachers support pupils’ education at home during COVID-19.

DfE information, guidance and support for teachers no remote learning during the coronavirus outbreak.

Waltham Forest Schools HR has produced the briefing to clarify the Government and Local Government Association (LGA) position on furloughing school staff.

David Kilgallon wrote to headteachers to update them on the range of support to disadvantaged pupils during COVID 19 and explore with system leaders, what a Waltham Forest focused solution could look like.

Information for providers about managing initial teacher training courses impacted by COVID 19.

Stonewall have recently launched new resources for schools, colleges and settings.

Today's changes include closure of educational settings, school closures and keeping children safe in education. 

The Early Years, Childcare and Business Development Service have put together a brief guidance to support children in settings. 

Waltham Forest schools are requested to use the new monitoring spreadsheet which will be sent by the Education Performance and Information Team. This is in addition to reporting the numbers attending to the DfE. 

Updates regarding school closures, guidance on vulnerable children and safeguarding in schools

Following the COVID-19 guidance on free school meals sent out by the Government, Waltham Forest has produced the following guidance to support schools in the borough in meeting their obligation  that every eligible child has access to food throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic.  

Today's updates from Department for Education.

Today's document update from the Department for Education.

The council has been informed by Envirocure that there will be undertaking a temporary closure during the Lockdown Period.

The Key have launched a resource free to schools. This Hub of information shares a host of information on COVID-19. 

Information regarding critical workers, exams and grades and funding support for schools. 

Waltham Forest have devised a guidance to reduce infections in schools. The guidance includes guidance on general sanitising, hand washing, social distancing and cleaning after a suspected or confirmed infection. 

From Monday 23 March, educational settings will need to temporarily change their attendance recording practices. To minimise the burden on settings and ensure that only the most important information is submitted

Local Government Association have put together a guidance to support schools and councils to make decisions and manage the workforce implications for both teachers and school support staff as a result of the closure of their schools by the school day on Friday 20 March. 

London Grid for Learning (LGfL) is taking measures to support schools during this difficult period.

Guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges and local authorities in England on maintaining educational provision.

Children and Family centre Partners, including Lloyd Park Children’s charity, NELFT, HENRY Citizen Advice in partnership with the local authority have made the decision, in light of COVID-19, to move services from face-to-face contact to a remote service. 

Guidance for schools and local authorities on free school meals arrangements during the COVID-19 outbreak.  

Update from National Joint Council regarding working from home for local authority staff.

Department for Education guidance on the requirements for meeting statutory SEND requirements in light of COVID-19.

The Secretary of State has allowed Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector to temporarily suspend all routine inspections of schools, further education, early years and social care providers.

This is updated guidance (16 March 2020) for education settings on coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Latest advice, number of cases in Waltham Forest and DfE advice line update. 

GOV.UK have published teaching resources for childcare and educational settings on hygiene.

Latest advice for schools and educational settings regarding COVID-19. 

As of Tuesday 25 February, the latest advice for returning travelers.

Additional advice regarding Coronavirus – Advice for all early years providers, schools and further education providers.

Public Health briefing for education settings on the Coronavirus.