The UK Government has now announced there will be a full return to schools in September and we anticipate there will continue to be updates to the guidance already issued which we will continue to upload here, especially when in relation to SEND. The latest government update can be found here
Many children will be facing transition to new classes, new year groups and/or new settings in September which even in normal circumstances is a daunting prospect. A lot will have missed crucial transition days and the opportunity to meet their new classmates, teachers and support staff.
We are currently building a library of resources that we have sourced, from social stories around social distancing to a back to school guide written by an autistic teenager for other autistic teenagers, and a whole host of other resources in between! If you come across some good ones elsewhere – please email us on hello@essexfamilyforum.org so we can share with other parents.
Resources
Transport Update – Information for the new term
Map of Considerations – Back to School Mind Map
A teenager’s guide to returning to school
School Bubble Social Story to explain how Bubbles work in schools
My Lockdown experience – symbols for your child to share what they have been doing during Lockdown
My Back to School Bubble – a downloadable book to share with your child
Video Tips for how to deal with anxiety around returning to school.
Moving to Secondary School – Useful Resources for you and your child on moving to secondary school (from the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities)
Information on Returning to School from the Mental Health Foundation – Lots of helpful tips and resources.
NASEN have created these two leaflets which, whilst not COVID-19 specific, contain lots of relevant questions and information
Returning to School after a period of absence and Managing Transitions beyond Year 11
Reports and Consultations
Timescales Statement 20.08.20 – Department of Education and NHS England write to all Local Authorities in England on planning for the expiry of the temporary Regulations to extend Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) timescales on 25th September 2020.
Young Minds Summer Survey – How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health and wellbeing of young people.
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services publish a Discussion Paper on the impacts of COVID-19 for children and families throughout the UK.
Webinar & Resources Link The, always informative, Steve Broach from Essex Chambers delivered Webinar on legal rights of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities returning to School in September.
Communications
Open Letter from Vicky Ford MP and Helen Whately MP to children and young people with SEND on the re-opening of Schools in September
Essex County Council’s Letter to Parents and Carers on returning to school in September 2020