This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Service Lead for Early Years and Prevention, Michael Jarrett, for the attention of the Early Years Sector.
Please find below communications from the Early Years and Prevention Service to keep you informed of various different initiatives and government updates for 29/04/2020. We hope you find this informative and if you have any suggestions about content please contact us on earlyyears@slough.gov.uk
It is important to keep in contact with families during this time, so please share this information across all of your contacts
What’s New
Small Businesses Boosted by Bounce Back Loans
New 100% government backed loan scheme for small business
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/small-businesses-boosted-by-bounce-back-loans
Early Help Provision
We appreciate that our children, young people and families may experience some challenges in the coming weeks.
Where possible, the Early Help Hub will continue to provide support to families through our family support. If you require support from the EH Hub team and you have a family support worker already, please contact them directly or call us on 01753 476589.
If you are not currently supported by our family support workers but require support and advice, please call us on 01753 476589 and our Family Information Service will be happy to provide you with information and advice to ensure you get the support you need. If this line is not available you can access the website by clicking on the following link: www.sloughfamilyservices.org.uk
If the child or young person requires immediate protection please call the Front Door Hub on 01753 875362 and send the electronic multi-agency referral form (MARF) to sloughchildren.referrals@scstrust.co.uk.
New Government Updates for 28/04/2020 & 29/04/2020
Find Coronavirus Financial Support for your Business
Coronavirus (COVID-19) support is available to employers and the self-employed. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants.
Use this business support finder to see what support is available for you and your business.
https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder
Actions for Schools During the Coronavirus Outbreak
What schools need to do during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Updated guidance on bank holidays, Early Years Foundation Stage, recruitment and workforce. Click here to view the full article.
Use of Free Early Education Entitlements Funding During the Coronavirus Outbreak
How local authorities can use their dedicated schools grant (DSG) funding differently in exceptional circumstances during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, to ensure they have enough places for children of critical workers and vulnerable children. For more information click here.
COVID-19 | Guidance for Households with Possible Coronavirus Infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Getting Tested
Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available. The government has announced that anyone in England showing symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) who has to leave the home to go to work, or is aged 65 and over, is eligible for testing along with members of their households with symptoms. This is in addition to all essential workers with symptoms. Testing can be booked through a new online system. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested
Keeping in Touch and Targeted Support for Early Years Settings
During this unfamiliar time the team would like you to know that we are here to offer you support, in whatever way you may need it? We are on the other end of the phone or email and will continue to provide you with daily email updates. Even if you are currently closed the team can offer a range of support from discussing government guidance documents to reviewing local area initiatives.
We understand that this is a difficult period for everyone and in these uncertain times it can often help to share concerns, questions and queries with others, so please do keep in contact and pick up the phone anytime for a catch up.
You can email and call individual members of the team or for general enquiries contact earlyyears@slough.gov.uk or call 01753 476554.
If your setting is currently still open and are considering closure please discuss with the Early Years Service and for further information, advice or guidance please contact the team on 01753 476554 or email earlyyears@slough.gov.uk.
Reminders
Announcement from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has announced that anyone in England who has symptoms of coronavirus and is classed as an essential worker, and members of their household who are currently experiencing symptoms, will be able get tested.
There is going to be a new campaign will help essential workers in England to access testing – this includes staff working in early years settings.
From today, employers can register online and refer self-isolating staff, and from tomorrow employees will be able to book a test directly on gov.uk for themselves or members of their household who are experiencing symptoms – a high temperature or new continuous.
DfE Data Collection
The DfE have now requested that the Local Authority submits to them the total number of early years children (0-4 year olds, excluding 4 year olds in reception) being cared for, every Monday and Thursday. Please can all providers (who are open) continue to submit registers every Friday but in addition to this please email earlyyears@slough.gov.uk before 12pm on Monday’s and Thursday’s with the following information:
| Total Number of 0-4 Year Olds in Attendance | Number of Children Who’s Parents are Critical Workers | Number of Vulnerable Children |
Domestic Abuse | Slough Safeguarding Partnership
Challenging times may result in the need to access specialist support, don’t be alone, attached are some resources that might be able to help. You can also visit the Slough Safeguarding Partnership here to learn more.
Alternatively if you can also access the Slough Safeguarding Partnership newsletter by clicking here.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
If providers have any children or young people displaying any Mental Health and or well-being concerns, then please contact the East Berkshire Getting Help Service at CAMHSGettingHelpEast@berkshire.nhs.uk.