Source: Department of Health
Date: 06 May 2020

The Department of Health for Northern Ireland has published guidance to accompany the Children’s Social Care (Coronavirus) (Temporary Modification of Children’s Social Care) Regulations (NI) 2020. The Regulations, which are being made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, are intended to be in place for a period of six months but may be revoked at an earlier stage.

Read the guidance: COVID-19: Guidance to accompany the Children’s Social Care (Coronavirus) (Temporary Modification of Children’s Social Care) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (PDF)

Source: Department for Education
Date: 06 May 2020

The Department for Education (DfE) has published updated guidance for children’s social care services in England to reflect the temporary changes made in the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. An article in Community Care discusses the updated guidance.

Read the guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for children’s social care services
Read the news story:Coronavirus guidance update stresses duties to children but bid to scrap relaxation of law intensifies

Source: Prime Minister’s Office
Date: 10 May 2020

The Prime Minister has announced that primary schools in England may begin to reopen in phases at the earliest by 1 June beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6. It is planned that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the summer holidays. Further guidance will follow.

Read the speech: PM address to the nation on coronavirus: 10 May 2020

Source: Department for Education 
Date: 30 April 2020

The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance on temporary changes to the law on education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments and plans in England during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The guidance provides a summary of these legislative changes and sets out the key implications for those who play a part in the processes relating to EHC needs assessments and plans.

Read the guidance: Education, health and care needs assessments and plans: guidance on temporary legislative changes relating to coronavirus (COVID-19)

Source: Department for Education
Date: 05 May 2020

The Department for Education (DfE) has published case studies sharing examples of practice for remote education from schools and academies across England. Case studies cover: supporting pupils’ wellbeing; adapting teaching practice for remote education; adapting the curriculum for remote education; and keeping pupils motivated and engaged.

Read the guidance and link to the case studies: Case studies: remote education practice for schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Source: Department for Education, Education Scotland, Welsh Government
Date: 05 – 06 May 2020

The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance for schools in England on adapting teaching practice for remote education. The guidance outlines some approaches that have worked for schools and includes case studies and information about: supporting pupils’ wellbeing; adapting teaching practice for remote education; adapting the curriculum for remote education; and keeping pupils motivated and engaged. Guidance has also been published for Scotland and Wales.

Read the news story:Remote education practice for schools during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Read the guidance for England:Supporting pupils’ wellbeing
Adapting teaching practice for remote education
Adapting the curriculum for remote education
Keeping pupils motivated and engaged
Guidance for Scotland:Practitioner support for online remote learning
Guidance for Wales: Developing approaches to support distance learning

Source: NSPCC Learning
Date: 07 May 2020

NSPCC Learning has updated the briefing for schools that pulls together key safeguarding guidance from all four UK nations on how to keep children safe during the pandemic. It includes updated safeguarding guidance on: what to do if safeguarding leads need to self-isolate; information on safer recruitment and staffing issues.

Read the guidance:Coronavirus (COVID-19) briefing: safeguarding guidance and information for schools