Below you will find the relevant answers regarding policies, procedures and workforce during the COVID-19 outbreak.
If you have any questions regarding the information on this page, please call the HR Advice Line on 01452 425888 option 3 or email hradviceline@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
Most potential cases turn out to be negative.
Thus, until the outcome of test results is known, there is no special action that the school needs to take other than to comply with the advice given on hygiene (washing hands, etc.) offered to the general public and to minimise unnecessary social contact, maintain distancing, and so forth.
There is no need to close the school and key worker staff should not be sent home.
Most potential cases turn out to be negative.
Thus, until the outcome of test results is known, there is no special action that the school needs to take other than to comply with the advice given on hygiene (washing hands, etc.) offered to the general public and to minimise unnecessary social contact, maintain distancing, and so forth.
There is no need to close the school and key worker staff should not be sent home.
The Council has agreed collectively with the Chairs of GAPH, GASH and GASSH that a locality based model is the most appropriate way to respond to the expectations on schools and the Local Authority.
This will enable local clusters to support each other in deploying staffing and resources between schools to ensure that the provision can be made for all the required children in that area. What this looks like within each area of the county will vary depending upon the circumstances – either staff from one school can be deployed to others in the area facing staffing shortages, or schools could merge their provisions to enable appropriate staff to child ratio’s to be maintained (which may need to be reviewed as time goes on anyway).
It may also be appropriate for school clusters to combine DSL resource to ensure that every school has access to this essential role. Additionally, if schools have to close, arrangements could be made to move essential resources into other schools accommodating more children as a result.
Where schools receive offers of support from DBS cleared volunteers, they are able to take these up as needed, or pass on to their cluster Chair to share amongst other schools. You should continue with your usual checks for volunteers in these circumstances.
The Chairs of primary and secondary clusters will be key in liaising with their colleagues to help us understand the pressures being faced and where schools can support each other. Special schools will work together with support from the Chair of GASSH. It is important schools use this route to escalate issues.
The Council has agreed collectively with the Chairs of GAPH, GASH and GASSH that a locality based model is the most appropriate way to respond to the expectations on schools and the Local Authority.
This will enable local clusters to support each other in deploying staffing and resources between schools to ensure that the provision can be made for all the required children in that area. What this looks like within each area of the county will vary depending upon the circumstances – either staff from one school can be deployed to others in the area facing staffing shortages, or schools could merge their provisions to enable appropriate staff to child ratio’s to be maintained (which may need to be reviewed as time goes on anyway).
It may also be appropriate for school clusters to combine DSL resource to ensure that every school has access to this essential role. Additionally, if schools have to close, arrangements could be made to move essential resources into other schools accommodating more children as a result.
Where schools receive offers of support from DBS cleared volunteers, they are able to take these up as needed, or pass on to their cluster Chair to share amongst other schools. You should continue with your usual checks for volunteers in these circumstances.
The Chairs of primary and secondary clusters will be key in liaising with their colleagues to help us understand the pressures being faced and where schools can support each other. Special schools will work together with support from the Chair of GASSH. It is important schools use this route to escalate issues.
You will find guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations on the Government apprenticeship programme response.
The Government have published new guidance which outlines the changes that we are making to the apprenticeship programme during COVID-19.
You will find guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations on the Government apprenticeship programme response.
The Government have published new guidance which outlines the changes that we are making to the apprenticeship programme during COVID-19.