Coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing many of our members and service users concern. Please find below some information which we hope is helpful.
Local News and Response
Phased re-opening of Bromley Schools.
There is still uncertainly regarding the phased re-opening of Bromley SEND school and colleges latest guidance from the London Borough of Bromley here
Latest Coronavirus news and support from Bromley Council here.
Bromley Local Offer
Coronavirus and SEND information for parent/carers
Healthwatch Bromley Have your Say – Covid 19 Response
Healthwatch Bromley are the independent champion for people using local health and social care services in Bromley and one of our key roles is to listen to what people experience of health and social care services and what could be improved. In response to the current social distancing measures to the coronavirus Healthwatch Bromley are setting up 2 weekly zoom community engagement sessions on Tuesdays afternoons 2-4pm and Wednesdays mornings 10am-12pm. Please request by emailing info@healthwatchbromley.co.uk for the login and password details. Further details in the attached community engagement poster here
The Healthwatch Bromley website page with up to date information on local service support and information can be found here
Protection from Scammers
London Borough of Bromley has put together a guide to some of the scams they know about, click here and how we can protect ourselves and those around us from becoming a victim of scams along with contact details for organisations providing help and advice, click here
Government guidance here
Request for practical help
London Borough of Bromley & The Bromley Voluntary Sector have coordinated a network of volunteers to help elderly & vulnerable residents & carers of vulnerable people during the pandemic. Please use this form to request for help and practical assistance from the Bromley borough volunteer community. Some of the assistance that can be arranged through the volunteer network:
- Bin(s) to be left outside property for collection day
- Dog to be walked
- Shopping – food, household provisions etc..
- Friendly regular phone call
- Medicine to be collected from Pharmacy
- Post a letter
Service information from Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust which includes the Princess Royal Hospital in Orpington at Kings College Hospital in Denmark Hill here
Health Advice
Government guidance of what you can and can’t do
The government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal as we can, for as many people as we can, as quickly and fairly as possible in order to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS. Questions and Answers of what you can and can’t do during here
For individuals
Get advice from the NHS on what to do if you think you may have symptoms of, or been exposed to, Coronavirus (COVID-19)
What to do if your child is ill
Advice for parents during Coronavirus from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Latest NHS information and advice about Coronavirus (COVID-19) overview
Keping Fit at Home
NHS advice on keeping fit and home workouts here
For disabled people – Get Yourself Active is pulling together resources for disabled people to keep exercising through the Coronavirus crisis more here
For children – Joe Wicks PE, Cbeebies and Cosmic Kids Yoga
Easy Read Resources
Latest Government Advice and Guidance here
Guide on how to stay safe, Coronavirus and health issues and what to do if you get ill
Your Rights and Coronavirus
A partnership of advocacy organisations has produced an easy read booklet about Advocacy and Rights during the coronavirus crisis which you can download here
What to except if I have to go into hospital with Coronavirus
Easy Read guide here
What happens if someone I know goes into hospital with Coronavirus
Easy Read guide here
Easy Read at risk patients letter
Easy read letter for patients at risk
Coronavirus Social Narrative
Little Puddins has created a social story for young people with autism
Easy read information on COVID-19 from Royal Mencap
Resources
Ambitious About Autism
Coronavirus and lockdown have turned the lives of children and their families upside down. This wonderful story highlights the impact of recent changes and uncertainty on autistic children. Click here for the story.
Hospital Passports during the COVID-19 crisis
Hospital Passports can be used to tell healthcare professionals what they really need to know if someone with a learning disability goes into hospital . The hospital passport should be used along side the specially designed COVID-19 grab and go form
BBC Special report into the impact of coronavirus on people with learning disabilities. More here
Fury over Do Not Resuscitate Notices
Disabled people have watched the unfolding stories about disabled and older people being asked to agree to sign Do Not Attempt to Resuscitate Notices with horror over the past few days.DR UK CEO Kamran Mallick said: “We have been horrified at the undervaluing of our lives and have joined with others to sign a statement, which upholds the principle that the NHS is for all of us and that judgements about our lives should in no way influence the treatment we are entitled to receive.” More here
Guidance for children and young people with SEND
The government has published guidance on how the needs of children and young people with SEND will be met during the coronavirus outbreak. It includes a number of frequently asked questions around provision for young people with EHC Plans. The guidance is available here
If you are a parent carer with a question about your individual circumstances you may be able to find an answer below
- Contact – For families with disabled children
- Disabled Children’s Partnership
The handwashing rap, produced to help people who have a learning disability
COVID-19 resources for people with profound disabilities
A list of resources suitable for people approaching isolation/home education, with a particular focus on resources for people with profound disabilities – many suitable for people of any age. Including resources specific to supporting people to understand and cope with COVID-19
Coronavirus Register for Vulnerable People
Register if you have a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. For example, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food. Register here
Information and advice in other languages
Doctors of the World have translated government advice on Coronavirus into 20 languages and are working on more.
Get the guides here
Coronavirus Information in British Sign Language
- BSL video on social distancing and self-isolation
- BSL videos by the charity Sign Health
- List of useful contacts for parents who have a child with SEND
- DanceSyndrome’s free online dance sessions to combat isolation
Free Virtual Resources
- Museums offering online tours and exhibits
- Virtual Field Trips from your sofa
- Nasa have released their space images for free
- Video based lessons
- Live webcams at Edinburgh zoo
- Free worksheets for years 1-6
- Access to National Trust Gardens, subject to Government changes
- Free Learning packs for years 1-6
- Starline is a free national helpline for parents offering home learning advice from qualified teachers
- Chatterpack ADHD/SEND full home learning resources and more here
- BBC Bitesize SEND – resources, activities and support to help you and your family during lockdown
- The English Touring Opera holds weekly online music sessions for children with SEND
Updates and Guidance
- National Autistic Society– guidance and helpline for parents’, young people and staff
- Place2Be – Guide to helping parents answer questions from their children and to support family wellbeing
- Young Minds – Talking to your child about Coronavirus and 10 tips from their Parents Helpline to support family wellbeing
- Carers UK – Guidance for carers
- Covibook– an interactive resource designed to support and reassure children aged 7 and under, designed to help children explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing during the pandemic
- Amaze – information pack for parents
- NHS England and NHS Improvement Learning Disability and Autism Resource – Easy read guides, advice, e-learning and health resources
- Challenging Behaviour Foundation Resources – Special guide to families
National Autistic Society (NAS)
NAS has made a number of changes to their services due to COVID-19. You can read about these changes in the Chief Executives blog
UK Government and National Response
What Legal Rights Do Disabled Children have Left Under the Coronavirus Act?
All children classed as “vulnerable” including children with EHCPs, are expected to go back to school from 1 June 2020, subject to the completion or updating of a risk assessment for each child. But, with the Notice extension, (Coronavirus Act 2020 Modification of section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014 (England) (No. 2) Notice 2020), it means they’ll be attending without the legal protection enshrined in their education, health care plans. Children will be relying on what’s termed “reasonable endeavours” instead.
Coronavirus Bill & the implications for children with SEND
A video by Steve Broach, Public Law Barrister, explaining the coronavirus bill and the implications for disabled children.
Court of Appeal Universal Credit Ruling
Court of appeal says those moved onto Universal Credit as a result of official error cannot be left worse off.Charity Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) successfully challenged the situation where families are left unable to return to their previous benefits.
Phased re-opening of SEND schools
Vicky Ford, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, has written an open letter to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, their parents, families and others who support them regarding the phased opening of schools on 1st of June 2020.
Government Social Care Action Plan
The Government has published an action plan that sets out how it will support the adult social care sector in England throughout the coronavirus outbreak, so that everyone who relies on care will get the care they need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan looks at support in people’s homes, residential care and nursing homes and community settings, and applies to people receiving direct payments, those with personal budgets, as well as those who fund their own care. Read the Action Plan here
UK Government guidance and support
Emergency Grant available for families of children with SEND
£10 million announced to help disabled or seriously ill children in England during Coronavirus pandemic. Vital help for families with children who have complex needs and disabilities from the Family Fund. Families can now apply for a grant from the Family Fund for vital equipment to make their lives easier during the pandemic.
Disability Rights UK CEO writes to Disability and Care Ministers to raise concerns about safeguarding disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and older people in relation to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Read the letter here