School Covid19 Risk Assessment

Our school has worked exceptionally hard to ensure that all of our children, staff and parents are safe on our return to school from closure.

Our environment and procedures have been fully risk assessed to ensure the highest level of safety.

Please find the attached risk assessment document(s) for your information. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to telephone school and ask.

School Covid Risk Assessment 12 19.4.21

Addendum Jun 21

 

 

 

 

 Covid19 Parent and Carer Information – Week 67

 

Information Directly From DfE, Sheffield City Council  and School

 

 

 

 

The Government’s final stage of the roadmap out of lockdown planned for 21 June has been delayed until 19 July.

All legal limits on social contact were due to be lifted in a week’s time, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that with the number of cases growing by 64 per cent per week and in some areas it is doubling, it’s better to be cautious and not move out of Step 4 until more people have had the Covid vaccine. He also talked about how the average number of people being admitted to hospital has increased by 50% per week on week and by 61 per cent in the North West with his main concern being that it’s possible that ‘the virus will outrun the vaccines and that thousands more deaths would ensue that could otherwise have been avoided.’

For full details just click on the link :

https://sheffnews.com/news/final-step-out-of-lockdown-delayed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greg Fell advises ‘take it steady’

As most restrictions on social contact were lifted on 19 July, our Director of Public Health, Greg Fell, is urging people to take it steady and continue to look out for each other.

Read his advice and the new rules at the link below.

Read more

 

 

 

Greg Fell statement on lifting of Covid restrictions

Greg Fell, Sheffield’s Director of Public Health talks in his statement about the Roadmap Stage 4 lifting of restrictions and the future of living with Covid. Read his full statement by clicking the button below.

Scroll down this email to watch Greg’s latest weekly Covid video update for Sheffield.

Statement

 

 

 

Latest video from Director of Public Health Greg Fell

Greg Fell, Director of Public Health in Sheffield, outlines Sheffield’s weekly position with the latest epidemiology and, with Tramlines going ahead later this month, he goes through the requirements for safely attending this year.

Watch video

 

 

 

Latest Covid-19 stats for Sheffield

A graph displaying the weekly covid cases figures in Sheffield

The image above shows the latest* figures for positive Covid-19 cases in Sheffield up to 13 July 2021.  Click the button below to find out more about cases in the city. 

*Due to the time it takes to process test results there is a 7 day delay in the reporting of these figures.

Find out more

 

 

Easy read guidelines on how to stop the spread of Coronovirus

The Government have released a simple set of easy to read guidelines on how to prevent the spread of Coronovirus.

 

 

Dont ditch your masks just yet

If you have been invited to attend the drive-through blood service, please note that it has moved to City Parkway, Parkway Avenue, Sheffield.

Find out more

 

 

64% of people plan to still cover their faces

wo-thirds of adults in Great Britain said they still plan to cover their faces in shops when rules are lifted according to the Office for National Statistics.

More

 

 

 

Success for Sheffield’s local ‘track and trace’

Contact tracing is a fundamental part of controlling the Covid-19 pandemic and in Sheffield we are one of the first councils in the UK to bring all Covid-19 contact tracing of positive cases in-house.

We have recruited a team of tracers who work with residents who may have been exposed to the virus and we’ve seen a rapid rise in our track and trace success rate which now stands at 95% of all positive cases contact traced. The results of those who receive a positive diagnosis come straight to the council and we attempt to contact as many as possible of them within 7 hours.

Find out more

 

 

 

 

Community Covid Bus launches in Sheffield

Sheffield’s new Community Covid Bus launches this week as a one-stop place for all things Covid-related, including lateral flow tests for those without symptoms with results in 30 minutes.

The minibus will be travelling all over Sheffield to parks, schools, community events, vaccine clinics and will provide information and advice about Covid 19, lateral flow tests for those without symptoms, free boxes of home testing lateral flow device kits, vaccinations advice and support to book an appointment. Advice and support on self-isolation will also be available, including help to access financial support.

To find out more click on the link below :

https://sheffnews.com/news/community-covid-bus-launches-in-sheffield

 

Community Covid Bus locations w/c 20 July

• The Covid Community Bus will be travelling all over Sheffield to parks, schools, community events and vaccine clinics and will provide:
• Covid 19, lateral flow tests for those without symptoms
• free boxes of home testing lateral flow device kits
• vaccinations advice and support to book an appointment
• Advice and support on self-isolation including help to access financial support

This week

• Wed 21/07 10am-4pm Fargate
• Thurs 22/07 10am-4pm Lidl Manor/Castlebeck
• Fri 23/07 10am-4pm Meadowhall (Argos entrance)
• Sat 24/07 10am-4pm Fox Valley Retail Park @FoxValleySheff
• Sun 25/07 Eid Festival Parkwood Springs

Bus locations

 

 

 

School Information

 

Arrangements for September

The latest guidance for schools has been released in advance of September, however, there are many questions which remain unanswered and, as you know as well as we do, things can change very quickly!

We will be awaiting clarity of the finer details from the Department for Education and Public Health over the summer holidays and will then write to parents before school starts in September with any further updates.

 

Changes to contact tracing in education and childcare settings

As you know, the Prime Minister announced on 12 July that Step 4 of the roadmap would go ahead on 19 July.

One of the key changes that will take place from 19 July is that education and childcare settings will no  longer be asked to conduct routine contact tracing. As with positive cases in any other setting, NHS Test and Trace will work with either the positive case – or in the case of children – the parents, carers or guardian of the positive case to identify close contacts.

NHS Test and Trace already manages the contact tracing process for the rest of society – including children who have recorded a positive PCR test – and has expertise in supporting people to identify close contacts.

The letter attached explains further :

Step 4 Contact Tracing Changes

 

Joint Letter From School and public Health Sheffield

Throughout the pandemic, our school have received great support from Public Health. Please see that letter below, written to parents/carers to reassure them that Stocksbridge Junior School is following all COVID-19 secure measures and to remind parents/carers of the important steps you can take to reduce virus transmission.

2021 07 13 Letter from PH & SJS

 

School Attendance

The Department for Education have stated that school attendance will be mandatory for all pupils from Monday 8th March. This includes the ability for the Local Authority to issue sanctions, including fixed penalty notices. Please note: In circumstances where pupils cannot attend school due to COVID-19, for example they are self-isolating in line with public health advice, a specific code is used on your child’s register to ensure this non-attendance does not count as an absence (authorised or unauthorised).

 

Sheffield schools and Covid

More info

 

Shielding guidance is being paused for clinically extremely vulnerable people

The government has announced that shielding guidance is being paused. From Thursday 1 April, clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) people are no longer advised to shield. CEV people must continue to follow the national restrictions that are in place for everyone.

From Thursday 1 April, all CEV children should attend early years provision, school, college, wraparound childcare and out-of-school settings, unless they are one of the very small number of children under paediatric or other specialist care and have been advised by their GP or clinician not to attend.

Where parents, carers or students are anxious about attendance, they should speak to school about their concerns and discuss the protective measures that have been put in place to reduce the risk and any additional measures that could be put in place.

A school may check that a child is advised not to attend school or college by asking to see a copy of the shielding letter sent to them.

 

Summer Food Vouchers

Plans have been confirmed to provide food vouchers for 25,000 children and young people across the city for the six-week Summer holiday

As part of the Covid19 response, Sheffield City Council recognise that many families continue to face financial difficulties because of the pandemic. Due to this they are again providing food vouchers for the Summer holiday for families who are eligible for ‘benefits based’ Free School Meals.  With the national lockdown arrangements expected to come to an end soon, this will be the last time we provide these vouchers.

Every eligible child and young person will receive a £90 voucher for the six-week holiday period. This is made up of £15 per child per week to cover food. Families with more than one eligible child will receive a total of £90 per child.

The Council  aim to have the voucher letters sent out to parents by first class post w/e Friday 9^th July.  The letter will include the website link for Edenred and clear instructions on how to download the voucher, and we are asking parents to get in touch with their school in the first instance if they need help with downloading or printing their vouchers.

 

 

Great Resources

At the end of the first lockdown a range of resources were produced by services across the local authority and NHS to support children and young people’s health and well-being as they returned to school. This included documents for parents and carers. These are all still available on the learn Sheffield website by clicking on the following link and then the ‘Emotional Health and Well-being’ tab. You may find it helpful to review these and provide information to parents as you plan for children to return. These documents also include guidance and support on Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and on supporting mental health needs that have developed during lockdown

https://learnsheffield.co.uk/Covid-19

 

Talking to children about Covid 19

There are so many resources that you could draw upon to help these conversations – a few can be downloaded free below :

https://www.theschoolrun.com/best-childrens-books-about-coronavirus

Lots of videos can be seen on YouTube, just like the 2 examples below :

 

Other Helpful Resources For Parents and Carers

Anna Freud – Child mental health resources for parents/carers – https://www.annafreud.org/coronavirus-support/support-for-parents-and-carers/
Place2Be – Reassuring your child – https://www.place2be.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/2020/march/coronavirus-information-for-children/
Mind Ed – Parenting Support – https://mindedforfamilies.org.uk/young-people
Young Minds – Supporting your child during COVID-19 (0808 802 5544) – https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/
Hey Sigmund – Talking to children about world trauma – https://www.heysigmund.com/how-to-talk-to-kids-and-teens-about-world-trauma/
Schools reopening document – advice for parents and carers – https://www.heysigmund.com/how-to-talk-to-kids-and-teens-about-world-trauma/
Department for Education (DfE) helpline to answer questions about coronavirus related to education – 0800 046 8687 or dfe.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

What if we need more specialist support?
If circumstances at home are particularly challenging:
o NSPCC coronavirus support (0808 800 5000)

If you are concerned that a young person might hurt themselves:
o Papyrus UK – Worried about someone (0800 068 41 41)

If your child knows someone who is very unwell or has died :
o Winston’s Wish – Coronavirus (08088 020 021) – https://www.winstonswish.org/coronavirus/
o Simon Says (02380 647 550) – https://www.simonsays.org.uk/

 

 

 

Vaccination Campaign

 

 

Don’t delay in getting double jabbed

The second dose of the Covid vaccine helps to provide longer-term protection. Don’t delay in getting yours – people aged 18 and over are now eligible.

Book a jab

 

Vaccination Appointments

The NHS are vaccinating people in locations across Sheffield. You’ll be contacted by the NHS when it’s your turn to have the vaccine. If you or your family member have an appointment to attend your GP surgery or a vaccination site for your Covid-19 vaccination, please remember:

• Arrive on time, not too early
• To ensure safe social distancing can be observed you may have to wait outside before or after your vaccination.  Please therefore ensure you are dressed warm with sensible footwear.

Find out more about vaccinations at: www.sheffieldccg.nhs.uk/Your-Health/covid-19-vaccine.htm

 

 

Vaccination Progress in Sheffield

An image displaying a chart with coloured squares to show the percentage of vaccinations in Sheffield by the categories 1st dose, 2nd dose and not yet vaccinated

The latest figures for vaccination progress in Sheffield up to 18 July 2021.  

• First dose total : 376,168

Vaccination info

The Vaccine – How Does It Work ?

 

Other questions may be answered at  :

https://www.youtube.com/user/SheffieldCCouncil/videos?utm_content&utm_medium=email&utm_name&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term

 

 

 

 

 

Talking to children about Covid 19 vaccination

There are so many resources that you could draw upon to help these conversations. YouTube has some really useful videos like the one below :

 

What you need to do when you’ve had your vaccine

This video contains important information about what you need to do after you’ve had the Covid-19 vaccine such as how long it takes to kick in, that it does not mean you are fully protected and why it’s very important you go back for the second dose when called.

 

COVID19 vaccination and pregnancy – Pregnant women should be offered a Covid jab when other people their age get one

There have been no specific safety concerns identified with any brand of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines in relation to pregnancy.

Real World data shows that around 90,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated, mainly with mRNA vaccines including Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, without any safety concerns being raised.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, fertility and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy (rcog.org.uk)

Read the updated information leaflet and decision aid about COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy. This document aims to support women make a personal informed choice about whether to accept a COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, in discussion with a healthcare professional.

 

 

 

Testing

 

What to do if you have Covid-19 signs or symptoms

If you are showing any of the following symptoms of Covid-19, however mild, you must self-isolate and get tested as soon as you can:

• A high temperature
• A new, continuous cough
• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

There are now testing centres in Sheffield at the following locations:

Sharrow (Pedestrian)

• Alderson Road Car Park, Sharrow, S2 4LG (down the road from London Road Pharmacy)
• Open 7 days a week
• Open 8am – 8pm for symptomatic (PCR) testing

Station Road car park (Pedestrian)

• Station Road, Darnall, S9 4JU
• Open 7 days a week 9am to 3pm

Burngreave (Pedestrian)

• Gower Street Car Park, Burngreave, S4 7HA
• Open 7 days a week
• Open 8am – 8pm for symptomatic (PCR) testing

Upperthorpe (Pedestrian)

• Shipton Street Car Park, Upperthorpe, Sheffield, S6 3EB
• Open 7 days a week
• Open 8am – 8pm  for symptomatic (PCR) testing

Meadowhall Shopping Centre (Drive through)

• Overspill car park, plot 7, S9 1EP
• Open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm

Halfway (Pedestrian & Drive through)

• Halfway Park and Ride, S20 3GS
• Open 7 days a week 9am to 3pm

You should only book a test if you have symptoms of Covid-19. Tests must be pre-booked and can only be booked via the national NHS portal online nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Stay at home and continue to self-isolate until you get your test results – only leave home to have a test.

Book a test

 

 

Free Rapid Covid tests for people without symptoms

Even if you’re fully vaccinated please keep using the rapid Covid-19 tests twice a week. Testing keeps your family, friends and colleagues who haven’t had the vaccine safe.

How to get a test

 

It’s important for young people to commit to Lateral Flow Testing

To help encourage young people to do their twice weekly LFD tests, some videos with students at Sheffield College and Sheffield Hallam University. They explain why we need to keep doing these tests and that positive LFD tests must be followed up with a confirmatory PCR. You can share these with your young adults at home to explain the importance of their commitment (example below).

 

The difference between Covid tests

There is some confusion between the two types of Covid test available.

The rapid LFD tests you can do at home do not replace PCR tests given at Covid test sites. Please do not use LFD tests if you have any Covid symptoms (a high temperature, a cough that won’t stop, or a loss/change in taste/smell).

These symptoms should not be ignored under any circumstances, even if they’re mild or you get a negative LFD test at home. If you have symptoms you must self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test online or by calling 119.

 

 

Success for Sheffield’s local ‘track and trace’

Contact tracing is a fundamental part of controlling the Covid-19 pandemic and in Sheffield we are one of the first councils in the UK to bring all Covid-19 contact tracing of positive cases in-house.

We have recruited a team of tracers who work with residents who may have been exposed to the virus and we’ve seen a rapid rise in our track and trace success rate which now stands at 95% of all positive cases contact traced. The results of those who receive a positive diagnosis come straight to the council and we attempt to contact as many as possible of them within 7 hours.

We’re operating a ‘Local O’ scheme which means that residents who have tested positive for Covid-19 will be contacted on day 1 by a local contact tracer instead of NHS Test and Trace. It is drastically reducing the amount of time required to track cases and is providing a more efficient response to further outbreaks as they arise.

To read more, please click on the link below :

https://sheffnews.com/news/success-for-sheffields-local-track-and-trace

 

New household account feature for parents reporting test results

NHS Test and Trace are continuing to develop and improve the process for self-test reporting. Currently, if a parent is submitting results through their account on behalf of a child, they have to enter the child’s details every time they report a result.

As a result of feedback from parents, NHS Test and Trace have introduced household accounts. This allows parents to save their children’s details to their own user accounts so parents can report results for multiple members in the household more quickly and easily.

When reporting self-test results parents will now be offered the opportunity to create a household account, which should take no more than 2 minutes. Parents can then add all household members to their account, enabling them to save time when reporting all future self-test results.

 

 

 

Travel

Changes to local bus services

This week some local bus services in Sheffield will change to support schools and colleges returning. It is advised that you check before you travel and plan your journeys ahead of time, more information via the button below.

 

 

 

Travelling to school safely

The Government have released the following guidance :

·         if you live a short distance from your school or college, walk, cycle or scoot to and from school wherever it is possible and safe to do so ·         avoid sharing a car with anyone outside of your household or support bubble ·         if you are using public transport to get to school or college, plan ahead and allow more time for your journey ·         when you are travelling by public or dedicated school transport, don’t forget to: ·         wear a face covering (unless you are exempt, including if you are aged 11 and under). It is important  you wear them for the entirety of your journey, including inside a bus or train station ·         social distance where possible ·         wash or sanitise your hands regularly ·         be considerate to fellow passengers and staff.

Further information can be found in our guidance on transport to school and other places of education. The Department for Transport has also created resources that can be downloaded and used by education settings to promote safe travel to school.

 

Update to guidance on transport to school and other places of education: 2020 to 2021 academic year

The Government have updated  guidance on transport to school and other places of education: 2020 to 2021 academic year to include additional information about how close contacts may be identified on transport and the availability of twice weekly testing for drivers and passenger assistants on home to school transport.

 

Guidance on use of face covering when travelling to school or college

Children aged 11 and over are legally required to wear a face covering on public transport in England, unless exempt for health, age or disability reasons.

In accordance with advice from Public Health England, we recommend that local authorities advise children and young people aged 11 and over to wear a face covering when travelling on dedicated school transport, unless they are exempt. Coronavirus (COVID-19) usually spreads by droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking. When used correctly, wearing a face covering may reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) droplets in certain circumstances, helping to protect others.

Schools should support local authorities in promoting the use of face coverings when travelling to and from school, and help them to resolve any issues of non-compliance where appropriate.

The ‘Hands. Face. Space.’ campaign urges everyone to continue to wash their hands, cover their face and make space to control infection rates. The NHS has released a ‘Hands. Face. Space.’ video that may be a useful resource when communicating the importance of wearing a face covering on transport directly to children and young people.

Further information on face coverings can be found in our guidance on transport to school and other places of education: autumn term 2020.

 

Information for schools and colleges on international travel and children travelling abroad

The government announced that from Monday 17 May, international travel can gradually resume as destinations are added to England’s ‘green list’. The suggestion is not to travel to ‘amber’ and ‘red’ countries, and that strict rules on testing and quarantine remain in place to protect public health and the vaccination programme. Further information can be found in the guidance on red, amber and green list rules for entering England.

Given the complexities attached to international travel at this stage of the pandemic, the Government recommend schools do not go on any international visits this academic year up to and including Sunday 5 September 2021. The position beyond Sunday 5 September will be reviewed again in advance of Step 4.

Further information on rules around international travel can be found in the Department for Transport guidance on travelling abroad.

 

 

Coronavirus Support

Sheffield City Council offers a whole host of support services to help residents through the Covid19 period. Please access below :

What support do you need?

 

Community Support

There is lots of support available to help you through lockdown. If you need help with shopping, medication collection, social contact or urgent support, please call our Community Helpline on 0114 273 4567.

For full details of all the other support available – including for drugs, alcohol, domestic abuse, money, homelessness, foodbanks, and more – please click the button below.

 

Covid-19 Emergency Assistance Grant

Furlough

If your job has been affected by the most recent lockdown you can check if your employer can use the Government Job Retention Scheme (furlough) at the button below.

Check here

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended until the end of March 2021

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will be extended until the end of March 2021. Workers in any part of the UK can retain their job, even if their employer cannot afford to pay them, and be paid at least 80% of their salary up to £2,500 a month.

 

Voluntary and Community Sector Covid-19 Response Fund

We are pleased to launch a second round of the Community COVID-19 Response Fund. Find out more about this short-term funding and how to apply on our website.

 

 

Domestic abuse

Social distancing and social isolation can be hard for everyone. For people living in a situation where they are experiencing domestic abuse and violence from someone at home the current situation is likely to make things worse.However, people need to know that they are not alone. The police and specialist services are still here to help them. Click the button for full details of support.

Social distancing and social isolation can be hard for everyone. For people living in a situation where they are experiencing domestic abuse and violence from someone at home the current situation is likely to make things worse.

However, people need to know that they are not alone. The police and specialist services are still here to help them. Click the button for full details of support.

 

Domestic abuse, drugs and alcohol support

 

Maternity Appointments

 

Help to stay safe and well – for young people and adults with learning disabilities (Mencap)

Mencap have a series of easy-to-read to help communicate clear messages about keeping safe from coronavirus. You can find the guides here: https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-help-stay-safe-and-well

 

Sheffield Mind

Sheffield Mind are running their Listening Line phone support service. They  offer conversation and signposting to people aged 50+ who are anxious, lonely or isolated. Mon-Fri 10-4pm 0114 312 2209 or info@sheffieldmind.co.uk to book a call-back.

 

Here to Help: Mental Health Support

NHS mental health services in Sheffield are urging people to ask for help if they need it during lockdown. There is a range of mental health support available in the city, including one-to-one support over the phone, online group sessions and self-help guides. Find out more about the free support on offer.

 

Supporting your child’s mental health

Introducing Ollee – a virtual friend (ParentZone/BBC Children In Need) Ollee is a digital friend for children aged 8-11, created by Parent Zone and funded by BBC Children in Need’s A Million & Me initiative, which aims to make a difference to children’s emotional wellbeing. It’s designed to help children reflect on how they feel and to process their experiences with the support and help of their parents and carers – and it does this by offering them advice about a range of subjects: school, family, friends, their body, the internet and the world. For each of these subjects, children can choose an emotion that matches how they feel about it: happy, angry, sad, confused, frustrated, stressed or worried. Next, they can choose from a list of topics – for instance, a child who was worried about school might be able to select ‘I haven’t done my homework’ as the cause of their worry. Finally, they’ll see a page of advice about the topic, presented in child-friendly bite-sized chunks they can read then or save for later. You can more information and download the Ollee app here: https://parentzone.org.uk/Ollee

 

 

Community Resources

Keep checking the Community Resources page to find materials to help keep communities safe – we update it regularly.  All are free to use and materials are available in a variety of languages and formats including images to download and print and social media images to upload. Please share these materials in your communities to help keep people in Sheffield safe.

Read more

 

https://sheffnews.com/news/marking-the-one-year-anniversary-of-covid-19