Boris Johnson announced yesterday afternoon that schools across the country will close from tomorrow as part of the country’s ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic, except for children of key workers and vulnerable children
So, how are ‘Key Workers’ and ‘Vulnerable Children’ groups defined?
key workers?
The Government have not yet released a full list of key workers, however according to the gov.uk website, examples of these workers include NHS staff, police and supermarket delivery drivers who need to be able to go to work to support the country’s fight to tackle coronavirus.
It is understood schools have been asked to identify parents who work in any of the following categories:
- NHS
- Armed forces
- Teachers and childcare staff
- Care home workers
- Social workers
- Firefighters, Police officers, community support and civilian staff
- Prison officer or other probation staff
- Local authority planners and Environmental health officers
- Highway Agency traffic officers
What about ‘vulnerable children’?
Vulnerable children include those who have an assigned social worker or who have an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in place.
Any child who does not have a social worker or an EHCP should remain at home with “appropriate care”.
