COVID-19: children’s services, education and schools

Information and guidance related to children and young people.

We are working as fast as we can to update this page with useful information for you. Please keep checking back and follow @LGAchildren on Twitter for the latest relevant information.

Children's social care services

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LGA – working with children's services providers during COVID-19: guidance to commissioners

The impact of COVID-19 on education and children's services

GOV.UK – social care plans from September 2020

GOV.UK – advice to parents and carers on keeping children safe from abuse and harm

GOV.UK – local authority children's services collection of information

GOV.UK – guidance for children's social care services

GOV.UK – Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care

GOV.UK – financial support for education, early years, and children's social care

GOV.UK – reducing burdens on educational and care settings

GOV.UK – EU settlement scheme: looked-after children and care leavers guidance

GOV.UK – registering children's homes in an emergency as a direct result of COVID-19 pandemic: fast-track applications

GOV.UK – what parents and carers need to know about schools and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak

Children's wellbeing and mental health

LGA – public mental health and wellbeing and COVID-19

GOV.UK – guidance on supporting children and young people's mental health and wellbeing

GOV.UK – Teaching about mental wellbeing

GOV.UK – stay alert and safe: social distancing guidance for young people

NHS.UK – advice for parents, guardians and carers on how to help and support a child or young person with mental ill health, suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviours

Supporting vulnerable children

Human rights and the Government's response to COVID-19: the detention of young people who are autistic and/or have learning disabilities (pdf, June 2020)

GOV.UK – guidance on vulnerable children and young people

GOV.UK – guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable

GOV.UK – guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people

GOV.UK – supporting disabled people through the coronavirus outbreak

GOV.UK – supporting the wellbeing of primary pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

GOV.UK – £7 million for vulnerable pupils leaving Alternative Provision

GOV.UK – conducting a SEND risk assessment during the coronavirus outbreak

GOV.UK – countering online child sexual exploitation and abuse during the coronavirus pandemic

Royal College of Paediatrics – COVID-19 shielding guidance for children and young people

Family Fund – The Family Fund will help low-income families with seriously ill or disabled children with the cost of equipment, goods or services - from washing machines and refrigerators to sensory and educational equipment that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

The Learning Disability Professional Senate have developed two resources for people with learning disabilities and their families:

Resources to support families/carers of people with learning disabilities through the coronavirus restrictions (pdf, 27 March 2020) Resources to use with people with learning disabilities through the coronavirus restrictions (pdf, 30 March 2020)

Barnardo's – See, Hear, Respond campaign for vulnerable children and families

National Autistic Society – Coronavirus advice and helpline for parents, young people and staff

Learning Disability England – Keeping informed and in touch during Coronavirus

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation – Information and resources for families and carers

Council for Disabled Children – frequently asked questions on SEND support during the coronavirus pandemic

Youth Endowment Fund – committing £6.5 million to reach "invisible children"

Anyone who is worried about a child or young person can talk to the NSPCC helpline team who offer free support and guidance (telephone 0808 800 5000, email help@nspcc.org.uk or the reporting page on the NSPCC’s website. Supporting organisations can also download the NSPCC helpline, sharable assets to share via your own social media channels (password: helpline).