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“We’ve put this page together, not just to pass on official guidance, which is important, but to reflect both your thoughts and questions that have been raised during the crisis and the response to it and where possible provide you with clarity and answers. We will also lay out where we are lobbying for changes to the response to make them even more effective for help children and their families.”
Anne Longfield OBE
There have been big changes in our lives because of coronavirus, so we’ve created a children’s guide to coronavirus to help explain the situation.
The guide aims to answer children’s questions about coronavirus, tell children how to stay safe and protect other people and how to help them make the best of their time at home.
Advice for those looking after children in school settings and remote teaching/learning
“I thank all those still teaching vulnerable children and those of key workers in schools, despite the general closures. I hope to pass on the latest official advice to teachers, updating as it comes, and seek clarity for you on how schools are managing and how many vulnerable children are attending. I welcome any suggestions for how we can seek clarity on any official advice and indeed suggestions for parents who are trying to home educate on how they can use your expertise to do the best job they can in the circumstances.”
Anne Longfield OBE
Find guidance and information on what to do to prevent the spread of coronavirus at your educational setting, and what to do if there is a reported case.
This advice seeks to support staff working in schools to implement social distancing in the safest way possible, focusing on measures they can put in place to help limit risk of the virus spreading.
Find what options are available for your school in continuing to provide support to pupils who are now at home, or are continuing to go to school (for parents who are key workers, or for pupils who have a social worker or EHC plan).
Residential special schools and other special settings should be supported to remain open, wherever possible.
Special schools, colleges and local authorities are advised to make case by case basis assessments of the health and safeguarding considerations of pupils and students on an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Advice to follow to keep your family safe, and suggestions how to make the best of the time and having your children at home
“I know many of us would have joked that trying to work from home with children off school and being effectively grounded might have been many parents idea of hell. Now for our own safety we are all having to, so I’ve asked my team to produce advice and pass on the best information on the virus but also helpful suggestions and resources that are being created and offered all the time to help you keep them positive, entertained, and learning. I’ve also asked my team to provide the same sort of information directly for children, for you to share so they can take a look at it themselves.”
Anne Longfield OBE
Free online resources to help your children keep healthy, active and learning during the pandemic.
Information for parents and carers about the closure of schools and other educational settings following the outbreak of coronavirus
If your work is critical to the Covid-19 response, or you are a key worker and cannot keep your child safe at home, your child will be allowed to attend school.
If your school is closed, then please contact your local authority, who will seek to redirect you to a local school in your area that your child, or children, can attend.
The latest information about GCSE and A-level cancellations this summer, and what alternative arrangements are being put in place to ensure your child receives a grade.
Special provisions are being put in place to help protect vulnerable children, those with a social worker or a EHC plan. Social workers and your local authority will ensure that families are eligible for this provision and how to access support.
Official guidance, updates, and answers to questions raised
“Many of us in this field have been sent, will have read and had to act on a torrent of guidance for responsible handling of this crisis. My team will try to list as comprehensive a list as they can and update wherever necessary, whilst also offering any clarity we can on issues we are investigating or seeking assurances from Government on.”
Anne Longfield OBE
Information and advice for from Social Work England for social workers, students, employers, and course providers.
Advice and guidance for childcare providers who are being asked to continue to provide care for children who are vulnerable, and children whose parents are critical to the coronavirus response
Advice on managing isolation for individuals or groups, in the event that a child, young person or staff member either shows symptoms of coronavirus or is confirmed as having the virus.
Special provisions are being put in place to help protect vulnerable children, those with a social worker or a EHC plan. Social workers and your local authority will ensure that families are eligible for this provision and how to access support.
Residential special schools and other special settings should be supported to remain open, wherever possible.
Special schools, colleges and local authorities are advised to make case by case basis assessments of the health and safeguarding considerations of pupils and students on an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Answers, clarity, suggestions
“My team has been scouring social media, pouring over our inbox, and talking to colleagues to gather any questions that have come from professionals and the public who have any confusion, or spot issues, or relate on the ground experience that need answers in relation to measures around tackling the virus. Those we think we can find definitive answers to, or as much clarity as possible at the time of writing, we’ll post here for every one to see.”
Anne Longfield OBE
Latest questions
Find below the latest letters, correspondence and activities from the Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield
