The guidance to the most vulnerable … From 2nd December 2020 the government will only reintroduce formal shielding advice for those that are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable in the very worst affected local areas and for a limited period of time. Fresh advice has been issued for those who are extremely and clinically vulnerablein areas of Tier 2 lockdown. The clinically extremely vulnerable group includes those with conditions affecting the immune system, certain cancers and organ transplant recipients among others. Does the guidance suggest these teachers should return to teach in schools? Conditions. registered in England (Company No 02017289) with its registered office at 26 Red Lion If you fall into the extremely vulnerable category, you would have received a letter instructing you to shield. Shielding was a way of protecting 'clinically extremely vulnerable' people who are at a very high risk of severe illness and needing to go to hospital if they catch coronavirus. Who are the vulnerable and extremely vulnerable? This guidance offers additional advice to the clinically extremely vulnerable over and above the rules for the tiers, which apply to everyone. The Government has ended its shielding advice to individuals who were previously classed as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV), citing the reduced prevalence of Covid-19 in the community. ", Association of School and College Leaders, Podcast: Staggered starts and mass testing next term, Five ways schools marked a Covid-safe Christmas in 2020, Mass Covid test plans for schools: what we know so far, Teachers' Covid fears mount as schools remain open, Schools backed to refuse 'inoperable' mass testing plan, FE Festive Food Bank: Santa wraps up the campaign, 'We're in a ghost school with empty classrooms', Why it's time for teachers to start saying 'no', How tech can bring real-world conservation to schools, Exclusive: DfE considering delay to start of next term. "Employers may need to undertake individual risk assessments in addition to those covering the site more generally," Voice says. Pregnant women fall into the vulnerable category. Further advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people in Tier 3: Very high - BSL. “It is a big leap to go from advising them that they should isolate in their homes to it now being safe to return to busy environments when we know that coronavirus has not gone away. orking remotely and in roles that allow for social distancing are options available to schools, and therefore leaders should do their best to accommodate this type of working for staff most at risk. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Just know that if you are worried, your GP, school and union can help. Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus (COVID-19), including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women. It will take time to build confidence.”. Vulnerable and extremely vulnerable members of staff have mostly been working from home during the coronavirus pandemic. Teachers and school staff who are most at risk from coronavirus should not return to the classroom next week when England’s national lockdown ends, a leading union has said. The government has asked schools and childcare providers to provide care for children who are vulnerable, and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home. Clinically vulnerable teachers and school staff should work from home – NEU. Definition of clinically extremely vulnerable groups - British Sign Language. This is in line with NJC guidance. Employers must be especially careful and take extra steps for anyone in their workforce who is vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19). Does easing restrictions apply to 70 year olds and over? 27/11/2020, 6:49 pm. It meant staying at home almost all … Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer MSP has called on the Scottish Government to end the postcode lottery of whether home working and alternative arrangements are being put in place for vulnerable teachers. Where staff feel vulnerable, or where they have concerns for those they live with, we would expect the employers to be sensitive. However, at this time, it is only advice. UK News Published: Nov 27, 2020 Last Updated: Nov 27, 2020. Rates of transmission during the second wave of Covid-19, however, have become higher than when strict shielding requirements were still in place. ... members should contact their union for advice … Staff - for example, teachers - who are clinically extremely vulnerable are advised to work from home. What has changed This updated guidance is for everyone who has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable.If you are in this group, you will previously have received a letter from the NHS or from your GP telling you this. Since March, teachers who are vulnerable, extremely vulnerable or share households with those who are vulnerable, have been protected by the shielding guidelines. It is one of the areas of the guidance that we feel still needs further clarification, both for the staff themselves and also for school leaders.”, Barton says that the reintegration of vulnerable staff into the school environment will be "very challenging" and that leaders will need to be aware that many of those staff will be "understandably anxious and nervous and it isn’t going to be a quick fix. Clinically vulnerable teachers are safe to work in schools, provided social distancing measures are in place, the schools minister has said. “School leaders will rightly be concerned for the wellbeing of all their staff ahead of a return to school in September,” says Bowen. Government guidance says that: “Children who live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, but who are not clinically extremely vulnerable themselves, should still attend school,” and that, “More evidence has emerged that shows there is a very low risk of children becoming very unwell from coronavirus (COVID-19), even for children with existing health conditions.” You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. Square Voice is aware of the concerning evidence emerging about the unequal impact Covid-19 is having on BAME workers. Individuals in this group will have been identified through a letter from the NHS or from their GP and may have been advised to shield in the past. Over 60s classed as ‘clinically vulnerable’ for second Covid lockdown in major clinical change to shielding guidance. The guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable has been updated in line with Tameside being placed onto the ‘Very High’ COVID-19 Alert Level. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Unless pregnant with a pre-existing heart condition (guidelines in the who is extremely vulnerable), you are just in the clinically vulnerable group. places people who are more at risk into two categories: vulnerable and extremely vulnerable. What are the 5 best Christmas gifts to get a teacher? If you or your child… A representative from Voice: The Union for Education Professionals suggests affected staff should ask for their individual needs to be taken into account. It will take time to build confidence.”. Letter to clinically extremely vulnerable people from Matt Hancock PDF, 1.34MB, 8 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. It only takes a moment and you'll get access to more news, plus courses, jobs and teaching resources tailored to you, Grainne Hallahan is Tes recruitment editor and senior content writer at Tes. Voice adds that if a member of school staff feels their workplace is not taking care of them, members should contact their union for advice about their individual situation. Guidance from the NHS places people who are more at risk into two categories: vulnerable and extremely vulnerable. The advice for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) people in Blackburn with Darwen is similar to that issued in October when the borough first went into Tier 3. “We would urge the government as soon as possible to provide clear information about the rationale for deciding that it is safe for people in vulnerable health categories to return to work and schools,” he says. For clinically extremely vulnerable people, the guidance reaffirms that shielding has been paused, but may be reintroduced in certain circumstances, stating, ‘We may advise more restrictive formal shielding measures for the clinically extremely vulnerable in the worst affected Tier 3 areas, based on advice from the Chief Medical Officer. Advice for the clinically vulnerable previously only applied to those over 70, or with underlying health condition, but new guidance - which comes into … On the face of it, the government expects all previously shielding teachers and school staff to return because "the risks to all staff will be mitigated significantly, including those who are extremely clinically vulnerable and clinically vulnerable.". Most secondary year groups to start next term online, Use judgement this Christmas – unless you're a teacher, DfE risks a long, dark legacy by threatening schools, Making schools into 'field hospitals' may be 'too much', ‘Extremely vulnerable’ teachers expected back in school, 'Clinically vulnerable' teachers under pressure to work, 1 in 7 schools asks vulnerable teachers to come to work. A message for all those teacher-bashers out there. It states that school leaders should be "flexible in how those members of staff are deployed to enable them to work remotely where possible or in roles in school where it is possible to maintain social distancing.". Clinically vulnerable teachers and school staff should work from home – NEU. I am a TA with asthma and am currently working from home as per the government advice for clinically vulnerable staff in schools.Is anyone else in th How will the new guidance for September change things? "Where staff feel vulnerable, or where they have concerns for those they live with, we would expect the employers to be sensitive. Shielding updates – advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people. wash your hands as soon as you get home. While no one can sensibly guarantee safety, it may be possible to further mitigate risk for the clinically vulnerable and, perhaps most importantly, help everyone to feel safe and supported at work. We would expect employers to support their BAME and other vulnerable staff and seek to identify any existing underlying health conditions that may increase the risks to them when working with children. If you are classed as vulnerable or extremely vulnerable, and you are asked to work in a way you consider goes against the guidelines, or delegated to do a task you feel puts you at risk, then what are your rights? There’s also extra advice for those at higher risk from coronavirus, which you can choose to follow as well.. You can also find more information for people at higher risk from coronavirus at mygov.scot. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. "It remains a legal requirement for all employers to assess the risk in the workplace. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. However, CEV people can return to work and school from 2 December. The survey of members found that one in five teachers who were shielding because they were clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus had been asked to go into school. What is the guidance for vulnerable staff in September? The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has updated its guidance for employers and pregnant women in a joint statement.. If you fall into the extremely vulnerable category, you would have received a letter instructing you to shield. Pregnant women fall into the vulnerable category. Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said those who had been told until now to shield for their own safety “will feel very uncertain about returning to the workplace”. This is an extract from the Government’s latest FAQs on what you can and can’t do, which focuses on those in Vulnerable groups, those who are shielding, and those aged 70 years and over. At what age do you hit your peak as a teacher? The National Education Union (NEU) has concluded that risk assessments to ensure safety must include individual risk assessments for each member of staff which consider their specific circumstances and the level of risk to them before decisions are taken on how they will be asked to work. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, says schools will need more details from the government about the scientific thinking behind this change. Teachers and school staff who are most at risk from coronavirus should not return to the classroom next week when England’s national lockdown ends, a … And it then says that those who "live with those who are clinically extremely vulnerable or clinically vulnerable can attend the workplace". If you are on the shielding list, you should follow the same advice as everyone else in your protection level. We reiterate our advice that staff who fall into the clinically extremely vulnerable, or clinically vulnerable group, or who live with/care for those who are themselves vulnerable, should not be required to return to the workplace. This means we social distance where working from home is not possible. Barton says that the reintegration of vulnerable staff into the school environment will be "very challenging" and that leaders will need to be aware that, "understandably anxious and nervous and it isn’t going to be a quick fix. use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available. The National Education Union (NEU) said it is not safe for clinically extremely vulnerable … This includes information about work, school and transport. Since March, teachers who are vulnerable, ... “The issue of clinically vulnerable and extremely clinically vulnerable staff is a complex one. A one-stop shop for teachers who want to know what impact the ongoing pandemic will have on their working lives, The Tes news team discuss a 'chaotic' end of term and look back at an extraordinary year, WATCH: With carol concerts and fairs cancelled, schools proved the Christmas show could go on, Here's everything we know to date about the DfE's last-minute plan for mass Covid testing in schools after Christmas, Concerns raised over government 'spin' on advice around teacher safety, while impact on supply teachers is highlighted, Most schools won't be able to roll out 'inoperable' testing plan and should not be forced to engage, say unions, Colleges across the UK have collected more than 19,000 food items to support vulnerable people in their communities, One by one, the bubbles burst and the school emptied – and assistant head Curtis White is worried the same will happen next year, With last-minute plans for a staggered term start and mass testing, the government has gone too far, says Geoff Barton, As conservation becomes an increasing concern for young people, technology is enabling new, exciting ways of engaging. Questioning Education Secretary John Swinney in Parliament this afternoon, Mr Greer noted reports of schools in different council areas refusing to put in Advice I have had is that being pregnant means you are in the exceptional risk category Not true. Clarity about the public health reasons for this decision would help build confidence.”. This website and its content is subject to our Terms and Clinically vulnerable teachers and … Previously, the advice was that all those aged 70 should stay at home. Government guidance outlines the key workers who must remain active to deliver this education provision in England, which includes childcare, support and teaching staff, social workers and specialist education professio… All residents who are over 60, vulnerable, clinically extremely vulnerable or have been told to self-isolate by Test and Trace and are worried about how you will source food and essentials, can call the council’s Ealing Together helpline on 020 8825 7170 for advice. Some people are at high or extremely high risk of becoming severely ill if they catch coronavirus ('clinically vulnerable' or 'clinically extremely vulnerable'). It's full of useful advice and information on getting support. People in England who are clinically extremely vulnerable will receive a letter this week urging them to stay at home as much as possible, including not going to work if they cannot work at home, and only to leave the house to exercise outdoors or to attend health appointments. James Bowen, policy director at the NAHT, agrees. Updated advice on protecting the clinically extremely vulnerable, based on the tiers of local restrictions in your area. Page 2. This is general advice which is also relevant to teachers. This guidance aims to strike a better balance between providing practical steps to help keep you safe while reducing some of the potentially harmful impacts on mental and social wellbeing that were associated with previous strict shielding. This will only apply to some, but not all, Tier 3 areas. It goes on to say these staff members should take care to socially distance and that school leaders should check the latest guidance on keeping vulnerable people safe. He stresses that working remotely and in roles that allow for social distancing are options available to schools, and therefore leaders should do their best to accommodate this type of working for staff most at risk. try to stay at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from anyone you do not live with (or anyone not in your support bubble) wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds. Yes. The new advice will help this higher risk group better protect themselves from the virus, without needing to follow more restrictive shielding guidance. The 3 tiers are Tier 1: Medium , Tier 2: High and Tier 3: Very High . 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