Skip to main content

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for SEND

The latest Coronavirus (COVID 19) advice and Government guidance can be found here 

Support and advice for children and young people can be found here

_________________________________________________

Please find on the right side of the page under downloads Coronavirus safety measures on dedicated home to school transport.

______________________________________________________________________

Please find the latest guidance on Shielding

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

 

The main change with regard to children is:

“the latest evidence indicates that the risk of serious illness for most children and young people is low. All children and young people should continue to shield until 31 July. A clinical discussion with your paediatric specialist or GP will be needed before any child or young person is removed from the shielded patient list. Health services will be in touch with children and their families over the summer, ahead of the new school term, to discuss what the new evidence means for them personally in the longer term. Families, carers and young people do not need to make immediate contact”

 

Clinically extremely vulnerable children and young people (0 to 18)

“Specialists in paediatric medicine have reviewed the evidence on the level of risk posed to children and young people from COVID-19. The latest evidence indicates that the risk of serious illness for most children and young people is low.

Children and young people who are cared for just by their GP are very unlikely to need to continue to shield in the future. This includes children with conditions including asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and kidney disease. A small group of children who receive specialist care in hospitals may still be considered clinically extremely vulnerable following a consultation with their doctor. This includes those receiving cancer care or those at risk of severe infection due to an immunodeficiency.

All children and young people currently identified as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, and advised to shield, should continue to do so until 31 July, when the government will pause shielding for everyone.

All decisions on whether children and young people should be removed from the shielded patient list (and therefore will not be advised to shield again in future if transmission starts to increase significantly) should be based on a consultation with your paediatric specialist or your GP who will be best placed to determine the most appropriate care. Your paediatric specialist or your GP will be in touch over the summer to have these discussions.

Returning to school

If your child is shielding, it is advised that they do not return to school or nursery before 31 July. If you are a parent or carer who is shielding it is advised that your child only attends education or childcare settings if social distancing can be adhered to. If this is not possible, your child should be supported to learn or work at home until 31 July.

See guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing

Also see the press release on shielding and children:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/majority-of-children-no-longer-need-to-shield?utm_source=48c78ca9-42ee-4c8d-9023-40ed76abc650&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily

  • Evidence from paediatric clinicians shows COVID-19 poses a low risk to children and young people
  • Majority of children currently shielding to be told by their doctor they will not need to do so in the future
  • Only a small group of children with certain medical conditions are likely to be advised to shield if shielding needs to be reintroduced in the future
  • The majority of children currently considered extremely clinical vulnerable to COVID-19 will be able to be removed from the shielded patient list

 ______________________________________________________________

Please find CYPDS summer offer and newsletter here and on the right of the page under downloads.

You will also find the returning to school booklets for parents in English, Somali, Bangla, Turkish and Arabic also on the right under downloads.

________________________________________________________________

Kentish Town City Farm are offering bookable sessions for families (up to six families at a time). You can book here  - https://ktcityfarm.org.uk/

_________________________________________________________________

The following are links/ resources to external organisations who have prepared information and advice about coronavirus for people with SEND and their parents and carers.

You can also find some useful information here - Covid -19 info on Camden Care Choices and Contact for families with disabled children.

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) update on COVID-19, school closures and SEN provision can be found here.

Please find an open letter to children and young people with SEND, their families and others who support them from Vicky Ford, MP for Children and Families here.

Useful downloads available on the right side of the page under Downloads.

Note: Some of these resources require Adobe Reader to open PDF files. You can download it here for free.

Please note on external links: The Council assumes no responsibility for the content of websites linked through our site. Such links should not be interpreted as endorsement by us of those linked websites.

Activities for children and families here.

A Parent's Guide to Black Lives Matter

_______________________________________________________________

You will also find under downloads -

  • Supporting eating at home
  • Supporting play at home
  • Supporting communication at home
  • Supporting routines at home
  • Supporting toileting at home
  • Supporting sensory needs at home

______________________________________________________

Autism and SEND specific resources / activites incluing general resources can be found on the right of the page under downloads.

_____________________________________________________________

Short Breaks Offer to Parents, Direct Payment Coronavirus fact sheet and Letter to Camden CYPDS children Covid-19 can be found on the right of the page under downloads.

__________________________________________________________________

Children & Young People in North Central London – important information about how to access appropriate health services

If you are worried about your child, you should access health services in the same way you would normally:

  • Refer to NHS online: www.nhs.uk  for general information, to check symptoms and the right steps to take
  • Use 111 online: https://111.nhs.uk/.  You can also call 111 for further advice but please be aware that this service is busy
  • If necessary call your GP to discuss your concerns and seek help
  • If your concerns related to coronavirus you can also check the NHS symptom checker on www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19
  • If you need immediate assistance dial 999 or attend an accident and emergency department

At present,  Accident and Emergency services for children are based at North Middlesex Hospital, Royal Free Hampstead and Whittington Hospital.  

_______________________________________________________________________

Hospital is still the safest place for your child if they are seriously ill.

Do not delay calling your GP if you are concerned about your child’s health. If you need immediate assistance, dial 999 or attend A&E. 

Access to Health Care

Health services are open as usual, however some services are being delivered differently – for example you may be offered a telephone or video consultation with your GP in the first instance rather than an automatic face to face appointment.

Sources of information and care

  • For general online information and to check symptoms refer to NHS online: www.nhs.uk  or use 111 online: https://111.nhs.uk/ 
  • If needed call your GP to discuss your concerns and seek help
  • You can also call 111 for further advice, this is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week but please be aware that this service is very busy at the moment.
  • COVID 19: If your concerns relate to coronavirus you can also check the NHS symptom checker on www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19

 What if it is an emergency?

  • If you need immediate assistance dial 999 or attend an accident and emergency department
  • Accident and Emergency services for children are now based at the Whittington Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital. At present UCLH children and young people’s emergency department is redirecting patients to alternative local hospitals.

I’m concerned about coronavirus

  • Coronavirus is unlikely to make your child unwell, but other illnesses may make your child severely unwell.
  • There are lots of measures in place to protect you and your child from coronavirus if you need to attend.
  • Please do let the medical team know if your child has coronavirus symptoms - a fever or cough. It won’t affect the quality of the care you receive but it will ensure that those looking after you and children around you are sufficiently protected.

Immunisations

Immunisations for young children and baby checks after birth are essential for your child's health and are still being delivered by your GP.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health - Advice to Parents can be found under downloads.

 _________________________________________________________________________

Specific advice on autism and coronavirus

Online help for autistic learners

Apps for autistic learners

___________________________________________________________

Managing worry in times of COVID

What is worry and anxiety and what strategies can you use to manage unhelpful worrying?

How do we look after our wellbeing through a balance of activities that provide pleasure, a sense of achievement and closeness with others (included helpful examples)?

How to challenge negative thoughts by developing a compassionate stance & more balanced view?

Download: Managing worry in times of COVID

________________________________________________________________________

Public Health England guidance for professionals

Here is the list of resources we've identified for Health practitioners

  • Royal College of Nursing (RCN) clinical guidance for managing coronavirus for those across the health and social care workforce. Read here.
  • Royal College of Paediatrics and Child’s Health (RCPCH) guidance for health professionals working in paediatrics and child health. Read here.
  • NHS England update in regards to Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism: responding to COVID-19, 15th March 2020: first of a series of updates to share information with chief executives of mental health trusts and other mental health service providers, including the independent and third sectors, as well as regional teams and local colleagues. Read here.
  • NHS England guidance for providers of community services and how they can release capacity to support COVID-19 preparedness and response, inc. prioritization of services for SEND inc. therapies, community paediatrics and special school nursing- Published 20th March 2020. Read here.
  • Health Education England information for Allied Health Professionals during the coronavirus outbreak. Read here.
  • Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) COVID-19 advice hub. Read here.
  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence rapid guidelines and evidence reviews during COVID-19. Read here.
  • NHS England letter: supporting allied health professionals and allied health professional support workers during the COVID-19 epidemic in the UK, 19th March. Read here.
  • Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT): information, resources and FAQs from the RCOT to support occupational therapists throughout the evolving COVID-19 emergency. Read here.
  • Chartered Society of Physiotherapists- advice for physiotherapists on taking care of mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read here.
.
Back to top