The DfE guidance for children of Critical Workers has changed since w/c 05/01/21.

It now states:   “Children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school or college if required, but parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can.”

School is now closed except for those children who have a parent who is a key worker or who fall into the ‘vulnerable’ category – this list is different from the previous list that was sent out in March –  “children who may find it difficult to access home learning due to a lack of devices or space” for instance are now mentioned in the list of vulnerable categories.

Vulnerable children and young people include those who:

• are assessed as being in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, including children and young people who have a child in need plan, a child protection plan or who are a looked-after child
• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• have been identified as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local authorities (including children’s social care services), and who could therefore benefit from continued full-time attendance, this might include:
  • children and young people on the edge of receiving support from children’s social care services or in the process of being referred to children’s services
  • adopted children or children on a special guardianship order
  • those living in temporary accommodation
  • those who are young carers
  • those who may have difficulty engaging with remote education at home (for example due to a lack of devices or quiet space to study)
  • others at the provider and local authority’s discretion including pupils and students who need to attend to receive support or manage risks to their mental health

If you think that your child or children fall into any of these categories and would like to discuss this confidentially, please email me or call the school.