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Key workers

Below you will find the relevant answers regarding key workers 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.

Children with a parent or carer who is listed as a key worker should be considered for a school place, so long as their job cannot be done from home.

Further information about identifying key workers is available on the Government's key workers page.

School staff will mainly be key workers and will be expected to attend work when required unless they meet one of the criteria where they should be considered for working at home.

Many parents will be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

Children with a parent or carer who is listed as a key worker should be considered for a school place, so long as their job cannot be done from home.

Further information about identifying key workers is available on the Government's key workers page.

School staff will mainly be key workers and will be expected to attend work when required unless they meet one of the criteria where they should be considered for working at home.

Many parents will be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

No, they do not.

Many parents who are key workers will be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

For school staff who are keyworkers, it is important to explore whether working from home is appropriate and possible. 

When making alternative arrangements, parents should not rely upon those outside their household for childcare.

No, they do not.

Many parents who are key workers will be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

For school staff who are keyworkers, it is important to explore whether working from home is appropriate and possible. 

When making alternative arrangements, parents should not rely upon those outside their household for childcare.

Schools should speak to parents/carers to identify who requires a school place.

If it proves necessary, schools can ask for simple evidence that the parent in question is a critical worker, such as their work ID badge or pay slip.

Schools should speak to parents/carers to identify who requires a school place.

If it proves necessary, schools can ask for simple evidence that the parent in question is a critical worker, such as their work ID badge or pay slip.

Teachers and school staff are critical to the COVID-19 response, so can send their children to school. Many such families should be able to ensure their child is kept at home.

Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. School places should only be taken up for those staff required to attend the workplace.

The places are not for key workers to work at home whilst having their children elsewhere.

Teachers and school staff are critical to the COVID-19 response, so can send their children to school. Many such families should be able to ensure their child is kept at home.

Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. School places should only be taken up for those staff required to attend the workplace.

The places are not for key workers to work at home whilst having their children elsewhere.

If a member of staff who is a key worker chooses to self isolate because they live with a vulnerable person, they should attend work as normal, unless there is appropriate work they can do at home.

If there is no work they can do at home, this could be regarded as unpaid leave but schools need to explore with individuals about their circumstances and whether
there are alternative work arrangements that can be accommodated before considering unpaid leave. For example, undertaking essential work in school in an area which is socially distant.

Government advice from 31st March, 2020, encourages staff living with a vulnerable person who is in the severe categories for risk, should work from home where possible, but if it is not possible they can be required to attend work.

Similarly, a key worker who refuses to work due to childcare may also be on unpaid leave. Many schools are putting staff on a rota to minimise attendance but to share the load.

The employee’s own school may agree to have the children in school.

If a member of staff who is a key worker chooses to self isolate because they live with a vulnerable person, they should attend work as normal, unless there is appropriate work they can do at home.

If there is no work they can do at home, this could be regarded as unpaid leave but schools need to explore with individuals about their circumstances and whether
there are alternative work arrangements that can be accommodated before considering unpaid leave. For example, undertaking essential work in school in an area which is socially distant.

Government advice from 31st March, 2020, encourages staff living with a vulnerable person who is in the severe categories for risk, should work from home where possible, but if it is not possible they can be required to attend work.

Similarly, a key worker who refuses to work due to childcare may also be on unpaid leave. Many schools are putting staff on a rota to minimise attendance but to share the load.

The employee’s own school may agree to have the children in school.