Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Advice
CONTENTS
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- Status of Blackfriars Academy
- Information from Blackfriars Academy
- Information from the Shaw Education Trust
- Department for Education Helpline (for Staff, Parents and young people)
- General Resources from Central Government, NHS,etc..
- Local Children’s Safeguarding Board
- Charities
- Other Helplines (Stress, anxiety,asthma etc..)
- Local Foodbank information
Current Status of Blackfriars Academy:
*We are closed for the day because we have no students attending school currently. Parents and carers are following the advice of the Government to self-isolate their vulnerable children.*
(updated: 30th March 2020)
*Information from Blackfriars Academy
LAST UPDATED:19th March 2020
Letter to Parents and Carers: Download Here
Coming soon – details of how to obtain your Free School Meals voucher to spend in a supermarket.
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*Information from Shaw Education Trust
Dear parents, carers and young people
School Closures
As a Trust we have been bitterly disappointed that we have been forced to close some provision to our young people.
We recognise the national need, and as such we are fully complying with the government’s directive and guidance, this includes opening our doors to the following groups:
Children and young people with an EHCP;
Children and young people with a social worker; or are designated vulnerable by the school
Children of key workers who can otherwise not be supervised during the school day.
We will continue to fight passionately to ensure as many young people as possible can safely access care within our schools.
The key to all our endeavours is health and safety.
In specialist provisions there are individual contextual considerations which drive, or influence, the ability to offer safe, and appropriately supported provision for our young people. Principals will be working closely with parents and carers to provide advice and guidance.
I know you will appreciate what a challenge this has been; but our incredible, amazing, dedicated staff are striving hard and relentlessly, to ensure we do the very best we possibly can for our children. I hope you are proud and supportive of the remarkable people who dedicate their lives for the benefit of all our children.
We are in the process of establishing some foodbanks across the trust; further information will follow- please watch out for updates on your child’s school website.
Times will change rapidly and we will ensure our approach is shared widely via individual school websites; other social media links; and usual school communication trees. We have no indication at this point about the length of school closures, but will be working dynamically to continue our provision.
As soon as we are clear on cancelled assessments, qualifications and examinations, schools will update you; we appreciate it is a worrying time for our pupils and you as parents.
I wish you all well; keep safe and all the very best.
Yours sincerely,
Jo
Jo Morgan
CEO
Shaw Education Trust
LAST UPDATED: 20th March 2020
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*Information from the Department for Education
The Department for Education has launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
The latest guidance for education settings is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
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*General Resources from Central Government, NHS,etc..
(Blackfriars Academy are not responsible for the content of external websites)
NHS Information: Coronavirus Overview - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
NHS 111: https://111.nhs.uk/service/COVID-19/
UK Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response - https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
UK Government: Travel advice: coronavirus (COVID-19) - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
UK Government: Stay at home: guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
Minister Ford's open letter to the SEND sector: READ HERE
NHS - How to wash your hands video:
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* Local Children’s Safeguarding Board
If you wish to report a safeguarding concern about a child please contact:
Staffordshire:
First Response: 0800 1313 126
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Website https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/reportconcern
Outside office hours: 0345 604 2886
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Cheshire East:
Referral Team: 0300 123 5012 (Option 3)
Outside office hours: 0300 123 5022
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Stoke-on-Trent:
Referral Team: 01782 235100
Website: http://www.safeguardingchildren.stoke.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/adults/concerned-about-a-child/
Email: SRT.Referrals@stoke.gov.uk
Outside office hours: 01782 234234
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Shropshire:
Initial Contact Team: 0345 678 9021
Website: http://www.safeguardingshropshireschildren.org.uk/reporting-concerns/
Outside office hours: 0345 678 9040
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*Charities
NSPCC
Children's charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty.
Phone: 0800 1111 for Childline for children (24-hour helpline)
0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
Young Minds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
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*Other Helplines
NHS helplines for conditions such as Stress, Anxiety and Depression can be found on the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/
Asthma UK: Coronavirus help and advice: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/
MIND: Coronavirus and your wellbeing: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=general%20supporter%20email&utm_content=information%20page&dm_i=CZC,6SOWI,1GN07C,R795X,1
Refuge
Refuge is committed to a world where domestic violence is not tolerated and where women and children can live in safety.
They aim to empower women and children to rebuild their lives, free from violence and fear. Providing a range of life-saving and life-changing services, and a voice for the voiceless.
Women's Aid
Provide expert training, qualifications and consultancy to a range of agencies. This includes professionals working with survivors or those commissioning domestic abuse services. Awarding a National Quality Mark for services which meet the quality standards..
Domestic Abuse
The 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (run in partnership with Refuge) and our range of online services, which include the Survivors’ Forum and The Hideout, help hundreds of thousands of women and children every year.
Miscellaneous
BIRMINGHAM Police & Schools Panels
A large list of charities to support in all areas of life.
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*Local Foodbank information
Here are the opening times and locations for our local foodbank centres.
Stoke-on-Trent
https://stokeontrent.foodbank.org.uk/locations/
Newcastle-under-Lyme
https://newcastlestaffs.foodbank.org.uk/locations/
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