Coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing many of our members and service users concern. Please find below some information which we hope is helpful.
Lockdown rules are changing from Monday 8th March
Some of the coronavirus lockdown rules in England change today (Monday 8 March). Here is an easy read guide (PDF) produced by Mencap to help you.
These changes are part of the government’s plan that says how we can safely come out of lockdown. In England, from today:
• most children and young people go back to school and college
• you are allowed to meet and spend time outside with one person who is not in your household or support bubble (this was allowed before but only to do exercise).
If you have been asked to shield, and are following this guidance, you should carry on doing this until Wednesday 31 March 2021.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
BE AWARE OF VACCINATION SCAMS
Information from NHS Learning Disability and Autism Forum
A vaccine is a medicine that helps keep you safe from illness. There is a new coronavirus vaccine. You need to get the vaccine as 2 injections that go in your arm.
When you have the vaccine there is still a small chance that you can catch coronavirus, but you shouldn’t get as poorly from it if you do catch it.
When it is your turn to get the vaccine, you will get a letter.
Read more about the coronavirus vaccine in this easy read leaflet
Watch a video to find out more about vaccines.
Worried about having the COVID-19 vaccination? NHS South East London CCG published a compilation film of local doctors, nurses, care workers and faith leaders watch the film here
The films are available in the following languages, Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Spanish, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu and Yoruba click here
Vaccination Discussion Forums
The South East London CCG Learning Disability and Autism team are hosting some virtual discussions via Zoom for people with Learning Disability and Autism, their families and carers to learn and have conversations with NHS staff on the Coronavirus Vaccine. For full details and how to take part click here
Needle Phobia?
Read here how to support someone with a needle phobia and easy read version here
Local News and Response
Learning Disability Zoom sessions: Experience of having the Coronavirus vaccine
The South East London CCG Learning Disability and Autism team has invited Richard Keegan-Bull and Lisa Lye to share their experiences of receiving the Coronavirus vaccine. The sessions will happen via Zoom and people with a Learning Disability and or Autism, their families and carers living in South East London are all invited to join the session. To register please click here
COVID-19 Signposting and Advice – latest guidance from the London Borough of Bromley here
Roll-out of Covid-19 Vaccine in Bromley
The Covid-19 vaccine is currently being provided at a small number of health care settings. It will be offered more widely as more vaccines become available. The vaccine is currently being offered to people aged 80 and over, those who work in care homes and health care workers at high risk. Please wait to be contacted. More information can be found here
Re-opening of Bromley Schools.
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
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
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
Covid-19 vaccine briefing facts and roll out
Briefing facts and roll out for the Covid-19 vaccination from NHS South East London Clinical Commissioning Group here
NHS Flu vaccinations – a guide for parents and carers of people with a learning disability
Watch the video here
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
Information from NHS Learning Disability and Autism Forum
Easy read information about lockdown
Read more about the coronavirus vaccine in this easy read leaflet
Watch a video to find out more about vaccines
Read an easy read leaflet about the flu vaccine. Watch a video about the flu vaccine
Information from Mencap
easy read advice from Mencap about shielding
Lockdown 3 guidance here.
New COVID-19 Vaccine guidance here
Easy read information on COVID-19
Adults with Down’s Syndrome have been added to the shielding list. Click here for the easy read guidance and here for some frequently asked questions.
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
Coronavirus Social Narrative
Little Puddins has created a social story for young people with autism
Resources
London Learning Disability & Autism Wave 3 Response Communication Pack
Read the London Learning Disability & Autism Wave 3 Response Communication Pack here with links to newly published guidance and COVID 19 resources including the link to the Guys and St Thomas’ developed ‘Supporting people with a learning disability around the COVID-19 vaccination programme’ toolkit
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
Mencap has produced a report ‘my health, my life’ highlighting the barriers to healthcare for people with a learning disability during the pandemic. Read the easy read report here
BBC Special report
The impact of coronavirus on people with learning disabilities. More here
Mencap report ‘my health, my life’
This reports looks at the barriers to healthcare for people with a learning disability during the pandemic. Read the full report 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
Updates and Guidance
- Scope– If you need information about Coronavirus and what Scope can do to support you, there is a Coronavirus information hub on their website
- 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
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.
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.