Latest News for Parents & Carers

Self-isolation or Household-isolation is for people and families who have symptoms of Coronavirus. Social Distancing is about staying safe and reducing your chances of catching it.

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Social Distancing: What does it mean?
It means stay away from places where people gather, avoid mass gatherings, and whenever not possible, maintain a distance of at least one metre from each other*. Together we can help to slow the infection from spreading.

Red light – Avoid/ Don’t Do
• All gatherings of religious, commercial, official or personal nature (e.g. market/ mall, cinema, meeting/conference, wedding, party/picnic, tuition, gym/yoga, dancing etc.) involving a sizable and flowing crowd
• Social visitors or non-essential workers in your house
• Non-essential visitors in the workplace
• Non-essential travel in public transportation

Yellow light – Do with Caution
• Attend private gatherings limited to a few family members or known friends
• Travelling in a private transport (public transport only if it is a necessity)
• Visit a local restaurant, but choose the open-air type, sitting with at least one metre apart whenever possible (takeaway food is a better choice)
• Buying in a grocery store or supermarket without a crowd
• Pick up medicines from the pharmacy without a crowd
• Play sports in the open air with family or a few known friends

Green light – Safe to Do
• Take a walk or jog in open park or stadium
• Cycling
• Play in the home garden, or go for a fun drive with family
• Read a book or listen to music in private
• Play games or watch TV/ movie at home
• Home cooking and meals at home

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
• Best to do things online whenever possible (e.g. video chat, e-payment, internet games, or chat over a phone).
*World Health Organisation, March 2020.

Just for Kids Law have launched a new online resource to help professionals and community organisations challenge unfair school exclusions. The school exclusions hub is an online resource featuring step-by-step guides with links to relevant statutory guidance and template documents to handle every stage of the process.

If you become restricted to moving around your own home then here is a helpful schedule for you and kids:

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Covid-19 Daily Schedule
Before 9am – Wake up – Eat breakfast, make your bed, get dressed, put PJs in laundry.
9.00-10.00 – Morning walk – Family walk with the dog/ yoga if it’s raining.
10.00-11.00 – Academic time – No electronics! Sudoku books, flash cards, study guide, journal.
11.00-12.00 – Creative time – Legos, magnatiles, drawing, crafting, play music, cook or bake etc.
12.00 – Lunch.
12.30pm – Chore time – Wipe all kitchen table and chairs, wipe all door handles, light switches and desk tops, wipe both bathrooms, sinks and toilets.
1.00-2.30 – Quiet time – Reading, puzzles, nap.
2.30-4.00 – Academic time – Electronics OK! iPad games, prodigy, educational show.
4.00-5.00 – Afternoon fresh air – Bikes, walk the dog, play outside.
5.00-6.00 – Dinner.
6.00-8.00 – Free TV time – Kid showers x 3.
8.00 – Bedtime – All kids.
9.00 – Bedtime – All kids who follow the daily schedule and don’t fight.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, Vicky Ford has written an open letter to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), their parents, families and others who support them. The letter signposts key Covid-19 guidance published over the past week.

A message from Derby from the Specialist Teaching and Psychology Service (STePS)

The current situation is unprecedented. You may be feeling overwhelmed and anxious for your own family and personal safety whilst also caring for your children 24/7, supporting loved ones and trying to maintain your own mental health and wellbeing. We are all under a huge pressure to help out, support each other and do the right thing. So how can you protect your own mental health and wellbeing and be providing the support your children need? Here are 6 key themes:

• Stay Active: try to keep getting regular exercise and go outside
• Fun, Learning and Doing: take a break from the news and social media and do something you enjoy, learn a new skill, set out to achieve something at home, try to plan in some fun
• Find the Good: ‘every day is not good but there is good in every day’ – write down each day something positive/ good
• Connect: keep on connecting socially with family and friends by phone, text and video call, share birthdays and play games together virtually
• Kindness: helping others is good for our mental health and will make you feel happier
• Control: there are things you can control and things you can’t – try to focus on the things you can control and let go of the things you can’t

All STePs staff are still currently working albeit remotely. If we can be of any help or support to you please do get in touch. You can contact us by phone or email. You can call us on 641400 or email us at stepsadmin@derby.gov.uk and we will try to identify the most appropriate person to help you.

Eleanor Moore – Specialist Teaching Service Manager and Senior Educational Psychologist
Richard Lakin – Principal Educational Psychologist