DFE: Information for parents and carers on COVID-19 vaccination for at risk 5 to 11 year olds

 The DfE has asked us to share this information:

Information for parents and carers on COVID-19 vaccination for at risk 5 to 11 year olds

Children aged 5 to 11 years who are in a clinical risk group or who live with someone who is immunosuppressed can get the COVID-19 vaccine, in line with advice set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Eligible children include those with diabetes, immunosuppression, learning disabilities, and other conditions as outlined by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in the Green Book.

Vaccinations help to increase protection against COVID-19, which is particularly important for those with underlying health conditions.

Further information is available in the guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years published by UKHSA. We have published some frequently asked questions on the vaccination programme including information on eligibility, accessibility and advice for parents of children at high risk from COVID-19. Following advice from the JCVI, healthy 5 to 11 year old children will also be offered two 10 microgram doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The NHS will prepare to extend this non-urgent offer to all children during April.

Information for parents on the vaccination programme

Please find below information on the vaccination programme for primary age pupils which has just been released by the DfE.

Information for parents of pupils aged 5 to 17 years old on the vaccination programme

Vaccinations help to increase protection against COVID-19, which is particularly important for those with underlying health conditions. Being vaccinated minimises the need for children and young people to have time off from school or college, and helps them to continue to carry out their hobbies, attend social events and live their lives to the full.

We have published some frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the vaccination programme including information on eligibility, accessibility and advice for parents of children at high risk from COVID-19. Please share these FAQs with parents, particularly those with children who are clinically vulnerable.

Guidance on how to book appointments for children aged 12 years and over is available on the NHS website. Further information on the vaccination of high risk children aged 5 to 11 years old is available in the guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Guidance on Isolation Updated (Changed from today!)

 Please ignore our last post as it has changed to the charts below from today!

Guidance on Isolation - updated

We thought the chart below might be useful as we all attempt to navigate the new rules on isolating.

Examples of when to end self-isolation if you have had COVID-19 symptoms or have received a positive COVID-19 test result

We're nearly there...

Please see the message below containing a link to some short YouTube videos starring young people, for young people to help with the public health messaging.

"In our work, we have heard from young people how much they have felt excluded from the conversation happening and how the messages around COVID-19 haven’t been targeted to them, so we have worked with young people to co-create a series of films for young people.

 

As the restrictions on our lives start to ease, and in the lead up to the Easter holidays, the need for us all to continue to do the right thing is the message behind this series of eight films. Each film reflects on the importance of us all continuing to look after each other, sticking to the rules, playing it safe, looking after our mental health and the impact of COVID on our lives. We want to help get these films out to a wider audience and particularly to spaces where young people will see them. Please help by sharing the videos which can all be found on this YouTube playlist    "

Dr Kathryn Woods-Townsend
LifeLab Programme Manager

Associate Professor (Research)

Southampton Education School

 

Lockdown Rules from 29th March

From today please be aware that the lockdown rules have changed in England:

• People will be allowed to meet outside - including in private gardens - in groups of up to six, or as two households
• The stay-at-home rule has ended, although the government asks that people stay local as much as possible; holidays are still not allowed
• Outdoor sport facilities will reopen, including golf courses, tennis and basketball courts, and outdoor swimming
• Formally organised outdoor sports can restart
• Weddings can take place, attended by up to six people

These new rules will remain in force up until at least the 12th April when they are due to be reviewed.

Tuesday 23 March is a national day of reflection...

From Southampton City Council: 

On Tuesday 23 March, it will be a year to the day since Southampton first went into lockdown. Since then 370 residents have passed away as a result of coronavirus. We invite you to join the rest of the country in a day of reflection.

We will remember all those we've lost

And we will resolve to continue the fight against COVID-19

To save lives and to support people through the most difficult of times

We ask you to join us at 12 noon on Tuesday 23 March for a minute's silence to remember all those who have died.

As a school, we will be talking to the children tomorrow and encouraging them also to reflect in an age appropriate way. What have they learnt about looking after themselves and others? What changes have they noticed? What they have missed and are most looking forward to? Please be aware that we currently have pupils in isolation and families are still struggling with this illness so it is more important than ever that we all continue to do our best to help everyone get through this. 

Coronavirus: returning to school – a guide for parents and carers

Learning Consultancy UK have put together a guide explaining the actions parents and caregivers can take to minimise the risk of Covid-19 virus transmission as children return to school across the UK.  The guide also includes advice on supporting children and young people's mental health and wellbeing.  This can be found on the school website using the link below:

promoting-well-being_parent-carer-guide.pdf

We have also added some information on the Covid vaccination and test and trace guidance, which has been translated into different languages.  This information can be found here:

Translated Covid advice

Screen Savers: Looking after your eyes, body and mind when using screens (Beacon House)

We are spending more time online than ever before, possibly sitting and working with poor posture as we use makeshift desks and chairs. There is a tendency to take fewer breaks and less exercise and this is affecting our physical well-being.

Beacon House the specialist, therapeutic service for young people, families and adults has produced a series of six posters outlining ways to keep safe and alert when working at home, whether children or adults.

These can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

Screens and seating

Supporting Parents and Children (Young Minds)

Times are tough for many people right now and parents can find themselves pulled in many different directions.  Children may also be struggling being in the house for so much longer than usual.

A mixture of concern about covid, work from home and children at home, along with a possible financial impact make for a stressful household.

Young Minds have created a useful 'Supporting Parents Helpfinder'. By answering six questions, parents can find out how to support their child's mental health during the pandemic (and beyond).

For further information, click the link below:

Youngminds Parental Support

Young Minds have also created a useful poster highlighting ways to give support to children when they have angry feelings or outbursts and may help families start a conversation and talk about each other’s feelings.  This can be accessed by clicking the link below:

Emotions Poster

Southampton Mental Health Support Team Wellbeing Newsletter

The Southampton Mental Health Support Team have issued some really useful information on managing change.  A copy of this newsletter can be accessed via the school website or by clicking on the link below.

MHST Newsletter - managing change

Supporting young people's mental health

The Children's Society has a range of support materials for young people and parents in their mental and emotional health resource 'vault' including:

• Anxiety
• Depression and Mood
• Loneliness
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Phobias
• Self care
• Emotional resilience
• Mental Resilience

The resources can be found here: 

Children's Society Resources

Advice on Coping After Covid 19

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) have issued information to parents and professionals on how to cope after Covid 19.  There is some really useful information included, which may be helpful to parents / carers.  The letter can be accessed via our school website (on the Covid 19 page) or by clicking on the link:

CAMHS Advice on Coping After Covid 19

Anxiety Advice

The Southampton Mental Health Support Team often send out newsletters to schools.  Their latest one provides some really useful information on anxiety for primary aged pupils, which I thought would be helpful to share.  It can be accessed via the school website on the Covid 19 page or by clicking the link below:

Anxiety Advice

The "Home School" Video

It has been an absolute joy to see all the things our pupils have been up to in 'Home school'. We would like to say well done for the amazing job you've done as parents (& teachers) so far! This little video is just a snapshot of what's been shared on our blog over the last few weeks and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did seeing all the pictures you have shared with us. Thank you! 

By the way, if anyone wants to discuss routes into a teaching career...?

Child online safety

With children spending more time on the internet during lockdown, it's more important than ever that everyone is aware of the best reporting and support routes available, should you be worried about something online.

The following link will take you to advice on reporting and support services available for children and families:

Child online safety link

"Love Southampton"

Please see the details below shared with us by the local authority:

Love Southampton is the initiative of Churches, Charities and individuals across the city in Southampton, uniting to help support those most in need during the current Coronavirus outbreak.

They are working together with the Council to focus on 5 key areas of need - older people, those with mental health needs, refugees and asylum seekers, the homeless and those in extreme poverty as well as families in crisis. A broad range of charities and Churches have partnered with them to ensure that they can provide practical and emotional support to each of the above identified groups.

The website: lovesouthampton.org.uk is a place where people can offer help, or go to for help. A dedicated team are available to match the help to the need. They are currently signposting to the partner charities for specialist help as well as helping people get food and offering relational support for those who are lonely and struggling.

"We want to highlight what we are doing in order to show that there is hope, and no-one needs to feel lost or without support. In the words of Debbie Sellin, Bishop of Southampton - "Love Southampton is helping mobilise people and strengthen initiatives, working open-handedly with other partner organisations for the common good.

We have a video: www.facebook.com/lovesoton/videos/1459412850899080 which is being shared across the city through Facebook channels so that we can reach people who need the support. This is one of 3 clips we have made, covering different problems."

Colouring In...?

School Nursing Team Advice

Eastleigh School Nursing team have shared the link below to the NHS Healthier Together website (https://what0-18.nhs.uk/).  The website provides advice to parents as well as professionals including School and Childcare staff and has put together some useful information for parents about the inflammatory condition affecting children that was reported in the media earlier in the week. Please click the link here:

https://what0-18.nhs.uk/popular-topics/coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR2y2055UZ7jqZj3EK7Nzkr_ncOMkLWS_xIoUC-DdK6o0kCFSU-Ku7t-qsM

No Limits Support Sessions

No Limits Youth Workers are running support sessions via Zoom, on a number of topics to help support children and young people with their health and well-being. If you'd like to sign up to any of their sessions, or you'd like to find out more, please contact them directly on 02380 224 224 or email enquiries@nolimitshelp.org.uk.

Parental consent will be required for children under the age of 16 to use ZOOM. 

For further details on the topics they will be covering, please click the link below:

No Limits Sessions