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Schools & LAs Covid-19 support

Covid-19 support

The SSCE Cymru Network would like to say a huge thank you to Service personnel and their families, who are vital in contributing to the fight against Covid-19.

This page provides information/advice/guidance and signposting to organisations and resources relevant to supporting Service children during the Coronavirus pandemic. It also provides an overview of the actions SSCE Cymru has undertaken to understand the impact of Covid-19 on Service children. We have included activities to support Service children, schools/education settings, local authorities and parents/carers of Service children.

It is not uncommon for Service children to experience regular changes to their family and school lifestyle, which can be at relatively short notice. Service families are adaptable and generally very resilient in times of uncertainty. They also have access to a lot of support from the MOD, charities (including the family federations), and through many Armed Forces community networks.

SSCE Cymru activities

Activities that have been carried out or are taking place by SSCE Cymru in response to the needs identified include:

An SSCE Cymru ‘Covid-19 impact on Service children’ school consultation (April-May 2020)
Collaborative working with the MOD and Directorate Children and Young People (DCYP) to ensure they are well informed of the impact Covid-19 has on Service children in Wales
Collaborative working with relevant organisations and institutions across the UK, through the SCiP Alliance, to identify needs collectively and respond with a joined up and consistent approach
Continued support for schools and parents/carers of Service children through virtual communications
Identification of ways that the four new Regional School Liaison Officers for Service Children (who started in September 2020) can support local authorities and schools during the recovery period
A virtual funding workshop in May 2020 and support for schools in applying for funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Forces Communities Together programme
A virtual school collaboration meeting in July 2020 to provide a platform for schools to share their observations and pose questions to each other
Regular updates and reviews of the information and support detailed on this webpage
An awareness of Welsh Government changes and updates to education and curriculum delivery and return to school guidelines and policy.

If you have any questions about this content or suggestions on further details to include on this information page, please contact SSCECymru@wlga.gov.uk

School observations

The SSCE Cymru Covid-19 impact on Service children school consultation carried out in April-May 2020 identified the following messages:

Service children may experience increased or new worries about their parent’s exposure to Coronavirus while they are supporting the efforts to overcome Covid-19
Separation from parents/carers may be experienced for the first time as regular and reservist Service personnel are mobilised and families establish ways to stay safe while following social distancing guidance
During the school closures in 2020, some Service children attended the school Hubs, but the majority were educated at home while the schools were closed
During the school closures in 2020, schools faced the additional challenges of identifying and supporting Service children with emotional needs while communicating remotely
Service children that have only recently moved to the school/area have not had the opportunity to settle in and make friends
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) postings freeze meant that many Service families who were due to leave their locations have stayed put, and children who were due to join new schools have therefore been unable to do so, causing additional anxieties for families.

Additional observations from schools include:

Service children experiencing feelings of uncertainty and disruption are not dissimilar to those felt during deployments and postings
The impact on Service families has been similar to that of other families, including an inability to access school, which puts a strain on some home situations
Service children are at risk of being additionally disadvantaged by the loss of learning, as they may have already been impacted by exceptional mobility and attended several schools with different curricula
There is additional anxiety for learners whose parents are currently mobilised
Uncertainty due to delayed moves has created additional challenges for Service families
More communication with families during lockdown has enhanced relationships between the school and parents in some cases
Families felt it was good for their children to have regular contact with a teacher through phone calls to bring a sense of normality
Identification of Service children has proven to be extremely beneficial in the school’s ability to swiftly recognise those learners that may be experiencing additional challenges
Nepalese speaking school staff have been vital in enabling communication with EAL families
Check-in sessions have been invaluable in preparing children to return to school.

School support

As identified during discussions with schools in Wales, examples of how they have supported their Service children and families during lockdown and school closure include:

Hub provision for Service children
Regular communications and check-ins with children and families though virtual means, including phone calls, emails, social media, Schoop messaging service and school websites
Progress and engagement monitoring during check-ins and safeguarding activities
The continuation of support from dedicated staff members responsible for Service families, who provide a consistent single point of contact
Virtual transition activities and transferring of records for children who are due to leave or join the school
Home learning support by delivering academic and emotional assistance virtually
Identification and promotion of relevant learning and physical activities that can be carried out at home as individuals or as a family
Opportunities for children to communicate with each other virtually
Staff undertaking training, including ACEs, Trauma Awareness and Impact of Covid-19 on Children courses
Use of resources made available through local authorities and education consortia service
Risk assessments conducted on the impact of Covid-19 on Service families
The production of resources with an Armed Forces theme to prompt discussions and create learning and reflection opportunities for families.

As identified during discussions with schools in Wales, examples of how they plan to support their Service children and families during the recovery period include:

Focusing on emotional support, utilising ELSA and Thrive trained staff
Gaining an understanding of the impact of Covid-19 to ensure they are ready to support learners returning to school
Identifying further staff training and CPD that will support learners emotionally and with catch up requirements
Collaborating with other schools to share good practice of ways to support Service children during transition in and out of schools
Identifying activities for families to participate in over the school holidays
Approaching the local MOD engagement and welfare teams for activity ideas and suggestions
Staying in touch with families to ensure they are well prepared for the return to school
Considering applications to relevant funding streams to secure the staff members who are responsible for supporting Service children and families
Planning for any further outbreaks and/or. school closures.

Education information

Welsh Government

Relevant guidance, written statements and information on specific services is available and regularly updated on the Welsh Government website, including details for specific groups of learners.

Covid-19 support

SSCE Cymru activities

School observations

School support

Education information

Armed Forces organisations support

Mental health and wellbeing support

Home-schooling information

Service children’s quotes