GOV.UK is the official site for the latest information on the outbreak. The advice is updated regularly by the UK Government.

It's important to us that parents, guardians and carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability have up to date, official and targeted information about  the UK Governments strategy on education and social care as it relates to Special Educational Needs and Disability. That is why very early on in the outbreak we developed the COVID-19 FREE text message alert service for the general public. 

For families who have signed up late to the text message alert service or who don't have SMS-enabled mobile phones to receive text alerts, we have gathered all the official coronavirus information that is relevant to families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities all on one page for ease of reference, which we endeavour to update regularly to ensure you don't miss out on what is becoming a rapidly changing situation. 

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Official sources for Coronavirus information

UPDATED on 9 August 2020

General​

Latest:

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• On 24 July 2020, The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place) (England) Regulations 2020 came into force which requires members of the public to wear face coverings whilst inside a 'relevant place', with the aim to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

• The Secretary of State for Education has issued its third notice amending the legal duty to provide provision under section 42 [#Children and Families Act 2014 (CFA)].

• The Secretary of State for Education has issued its second notice amending the legal duty to provide provision under section 42 [#Children and Families Act 2014 (CFA)]. This notice takes effect from 1st June 2020 and finishes at the end of 30th June 2020. Find here.  You can also download notice here

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• Latest update on HMCTS response to coronavirus outbreak. Here

• (15 May 2020) Dfe has published an overview of scientific information on coronavirus (COVID-19). Find here

• (12 May 2020) Dfe have issued two important guidance documents on your child's return back to school from 1 June 2020 and the protective measures within education and childcare settings. Find them here and here

• Dfe have issued a planning guide for primary school leaders to help prepare them to open their schools for more pupils on 1 June 2020. Find here

• (4 May 2020) The LGSCO have issued guidance to LA's and care providers about good administrative practice and handling #complaints during the #Covid-19 crisis. Read here

• (30 April 2020) The Gov't have now issued full guidance on temporary legislative changes relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) in relation to EHC plans. This also includes changes to timescales for EHC processes. This guide is essential reading. Find here

• (30 April 2020) The Secretary of State for Education has issued its notice amending the legal duty to provide provision under section 42 [Children and Families Act 2014 (CFA)] which is in relation to the duty to secure special educational provision and health care provision in an EHC plan to a ‘reasonable endeavours’ duty. This notice takes effect from 1 May 2020 and finishes on 31 May 2020. Read here 

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• If you are of working age and you get help paying your Council Tax through the Council Tax Reduction scheme, new Gov't Council tax Guidance on COVID-19 hardship fund 2020-21 for Local Authorities has advised that Local Authorities are expected to give you £150 towards your Council Tax bill for 2020/21. The £150 will be applied to your Council Tax account around 20 April 2020. Read here

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• The Department for Health & Social Care have published new guidance for people receiving direct payments. This is essential reading. Find here

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• Some of the most vulnerable people in society will be given enhanced support through their legal aid after changes unveiled on Tuesday 21 April 2020. This includes restoring access to individual support for debt, discrimination and special educational needs cases. Find here

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• NHS England have issued a COVID-19 Advance Care Plan template. Families and their disabled members should use this template to outline the decisions you have made about your treatment and the support you need if you develop severe COVID-19 symptoms and need to contact emergency services or be admitted to hospital. Please find an editable version of the template here

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• New updated guidance from the Office of Public Guardian on signing/witnessing LPAs during Covid-19. You can find it here

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• SCIE have issued guidance for families and professionals supporting autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. You can find it here

• Government guidance restricting exercise to once a day, which raises disability discrimination has been amended. You can exercise outdoors more than once a day if necessary and can travel outside of your local area if you have a specific medical need (paragraph 15) 09.04.20

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• Delivering justice during COVID-19.  The latest from the judiciary. 07.04.20

• The Coronavirus Act 2020  became an Act of Parliament  on 25 March 2020 and is now law.  The Act contains ‘emergency powers’ to enable public bodies to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. You can find it here

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• The Governments guidance on the Care Act ‘easements’ (removal of duties) under the Coronavirus Act 2020 has been published. It is essential reading for anyone concerned with social care provision for young people and adults. You can find it here 31.03.20) This guidance together with The Ethical Framework for Adult Social Care (which can be found here 19.03.20) fall under schedule 12 of the Coronavirus Act 2020. Schedule 12 to that Act gives the Secretary of State a power to direct Local Authorities to comply with this guidance and the Ethical Framework, and the Department will keep this under review. This guidance is also clear that appropriate records must be kept of which decisions are taken and their justifications to both ensure accountability and to share learning with others during and as the outbreak develops.

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• COVID-19 Hospital Discharge Service Requirements. Can be found here. This document sets out the Hospital Discharge Service Requirements for all NHS trusts, community interest companies and private care providers of acute, community beds and community health services and social care staff in England, who must adhere to this from Thursday 19th March 2020.

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• Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, Vicky Ford MP, issued an open letter to children and young people with SEND, their  parents/carers and families, and all others who support them on 24.03.20  The full text of the letter can be found here

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• Full guidance on staying at home and away from others - following Govt new rules announcement on 23.03.20

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• COVID-19: guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people

• Coronavirus bill 'emergency powers' full text 

• Coronavirus bill: summary of impacts

• How to obtain an 'isolation note' for employers or for Jobcentre Plus

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• Get coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person (incl deliveries)

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For parents and carers - schools and LA's

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• The latest official stats and data for 2020 related to children and young people with a statement of special educational needs (SEN) or education, health and care (EHC) plan in England. 07.05.2020 Find here

• Dfe has published case studies showing examples of practice for remote education from schools and academies across England during coronavirus (COVID-19). The document includes a chapter on supporting the wellbeing of primary pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 05.05.20Find here

• Important new SEND guidance from Govt Dfe on risk assessments for educational settings supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Find here

• Official Govt guidance on subject specific home education resources for special educational needs and #disabilities during #COVID 19. Includes FREE apps for sensory needs. Find here

• The govt has issued guidance to assist those involved in school admissions appeals. Find it here

• New Govt guidance on extra financial support and funding available to schools during COVID-19, includes funding for free school meals for eligible children who are not attending school 07.04.20

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• New Govt guidance for local authorities on children’s social care. Deals with whether social workers should wear PPE. 03.04.20

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• Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak 30.03.20

• Unpaid carers in England now included in the list of essential workers and those prioritised for COVID-19 testing. Find here

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• The UK govt has announced that workers can carry over unused annual leave into the next 2 years so you don't lost out due to COVID-19

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• NHS England have issued important new clinical guidance to frontline staff supporting patients with a learning disability, autism or both during the #coronavirus pandemic. Find it here

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• Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people (latest 22.03.20)

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): attendance recording for educational settings

• Guidance for schools about temporarily closing

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• Free school meals guidance,

• Closure of educational settings: information for parents and carers

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2020

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• (latest 22.03.20 ) Guidance for schools about temporarily closing

• COVID-19: guidance for educational settings

• Guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges and local authorities in England on maintaining educational provision

• Isolation guidance for residential educational settings: The Government has issued guidance to confirm which residential settings they consider a household and how to manage isolation.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): residential care, supported living and home care guidance

• New adult social care guidance to protect the most vulnerable against COVID-19 (13.03.20)

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• Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update

• Routine Ofsted inspections suspended in response to coronavirus

• LGSCO temporarily suspendS its central phone line and online complaint submission from 18 March 2020

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We are entering an unprecedented and fast-moving, constantly changing situation. Whilst we will do our best to keep this page updated, it should not be considered a source for the latest government advice which should be obtained directly from https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus. Links to external providers should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement of those providers’ products and/or services.