COVID-19 Guidance Update for Special Schools and other specialist settings
On 1 April 2022, the government changed its policy on COVID-19 testing in England. Most people can no longer access free testing for COVID-19.
There is no requirement for staff, students or pupils to carry out twice weekly testing in SEND settings. All the previous guidance for special schools and other specialist settings has been withdrawn and replaced with the following guidance.
Emergency planning and response for education, childcare, and children’s social care settings – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Guidance for those at higher risk
There is further guidance for people aged 12 and over, whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness if they become infected with coronavirus (COVID-19), that may be relevant to pupils in your settings.
Please note, in this guidance, advice remains that children and young people can continue to attend education settings unless their clinician has advised otherwise.
Pupils in this group may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments. They will be sent one pack of lateral flow tests to keep at home supplied by the government. These should not be used for regular testing and are advised to be kept so the person can get tested quickly if they get symptoms of COVID-19.
If your child has received specific written guidance from the NHS which identifies that they are considered at higher risk, please email your class teacher and we will follow this up after the Easter holidays to ensure the appropriate risk assessments are in place.
For further information please visit this link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk.