Working Together to Keep Safe and Support Learning
Partial school closure
Further to the announcement on the evening of 4th January 2021 regarding all primary schools in England closing from Tuesday 5th January 2021 due to the COVID19 pandemic, our school is currently closed to all children apart from the children of key workers and vulnerable children until further notice.
If you need to contact school regarding remote learning please contact your child's class teacher via Seesaw or their class email.
If you need to contact school about matters relating to COVID19 or Key Worker/Vulnerable children childcare please email help@whitbyheath.cheshire.sch.uk
We are sending all our families our warmest wishes at this difficult and worrying time.
Take care and keep safe,
Mrs Jewitt & The Whitby Heath Team
CWAC Winter Grant Scheme
Cheshire West and Chester Council are using their COVID Winter Grant Scheme to support
families struggling to pay for food, fuel or water bills throughout the winter period.
Who will qualify?
- Families with children receiving free school meals on 1 December 2020.
- Families receiving either a Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction on 1 December 2020 AND with children below the age of four, or children between the ages of 16 and 18 inclusive.
- Individuals who have left the care of Cheshire West and Chester Council and are below the age of 25 on 1 December 2020.
Details of the award
Applications must be made online as bank details are required to make payments. An award of £45 per eligible person and £35 per household will be paid into the nominated bank account, subject to checks against records held by the Council. An automated notification will be sent out to confirm that an application has been received.
To apply online:
Telephone: 0300 123 8123
Email: winterpayments@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
When payments will be made?
Payments will start in December, but volumes are likely to be high. The Council is asking that, once an application form is completed, time is given to send the awards out as repeat contacts are likely to delay any awards made.
Other help available
Citizens Advice Cheshire West, in conjunction with The Fuel Bank Foundation will also receive funding to support people who are struggling to meet their fuel bills.
Disability Positive has also been awarded funding to support children and adults it works with who have long-term health conditions, helping them access food, energy or water bill support.
The Welcome Network is commissioned by the Council to coordinate food offers across the borough. Details of local food offers in Cheshire West and Chester over the Christmas are being compiled on the Welcome Network website.
http://www.welcomenet.co.uk/get-support.html
Please remember the importance of
HANDS - FACE - SPACE
Self-isolation reminder
If a member of your household is symptomatic for COVID-19 then all household members need to self-isolate until the test result is received. If this result is positive then the case continues to isolate for 10 days from symptom onset with all other household members self-isolating for 14 days from symptom onset.
If the result is negative, all household members can stop isolating as long as:
- The person displaying symptoms is well and no-one else in the household has symptoms
- If anyone else in the household has symptoms they have also received a negative test result
- They have not been advised to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
- They have not arrived into the UK from a non-exempt country within the last 14 days
The full guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
WORKING TOGETHER TO KEEP EVERYONE IN OUR SCHOOL FAMILY SAFE AND WELL
COVID19 reminders
If a child/parent is unable to get a test within 3 days of developing symptoms, the following should happen:
- The symptomatic child should remain absent from school for 10 days
- Siblings from the same household who attend school should remain absent from school for 14 days
- Any other household contacts should continue to self-isolate for 14 days
This is irrespective of whether a test is taken after 3 days.
To ensure we continue to prioritise the safety of children, staff and families by following all current guidance, we will be following this advice in school for all absences relating to COVID19 and we ask for parent and carers’ support and understanding with this.
It is important that if you’re child or family member becomes unwell with any of the COVID-19 symptoms listed below that they get tested and you ensure your child does not attend school:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Please notify us that your child is self-isolating with other household members, arrange for them to get tested and continue to self-isolate as a household until the result comes back.
There is no need for members of a symptomatic person’s household to have a test, unless they are also symptomatic.
If your child or family member is tested for COVID19, we ask that parents/carers notify us of the test result (positive or negative) immediately via help@whitbyheath.cheshire.sch.uk This will allow us to take action quickly in the event of any positive tests within our school community moving forward.
If your child tests positive they should self-isolate and stay off school for 10 days. If the test comes back negative they can return to school if they no longer have symptoms and have been fever free for 48hrs. All other people who have had close contact with them will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Should there be a positive test in our school community, we will identify any school contacts and notify them of the need to self-isolate. Where a pupil or staff member become a confirmed case, then we will directly contact those staff and pupils affected. If you are not contacted, you can be assured that you are not a direct or close contact and are not required to self-isolate. A guidance sheet for parents and carers from Cheshire West and Chester can be found at the bottom of this page.
Cheshire West and Chester have provided signposting for families for help and support during these difficult times for everyone:
Useful resources and information for famillies:
Healthy Start Vouchers
Are you eligible for these vouchers? If you’re pregnant or have a child under 4, you could get Healthy Start vouchers to help buy some basic foods. This important means-tested scheme provides vouchers to spend with local retailers. Pregnant women and children over 1 and under 4 can get one £3.10 voucher per week. Children under 1 can get two £3.10 vouchers (£6.20) per week. Terms and conditions apply. To find out more visit: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/
We know that times are extremely hard at the moment, the pandemic is putting strains on many families and residents within Cheshire West and Chester, and beyond. There is a wide range of support available to you as parents across the borough which can help you if you feel that you may need it.
For further information or for support visit:
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/news-and-views/incidents/coronavirus-covid-19/how-to-get-help/how-to-get-help.aspx
The pages cover: Dedicated helpline for people who need support, Support and advice on council tax, Support for vulnerable people, Domestic abuse advice and support, Support for businesses and employers, Coping with coronavirus, NHS bereavement advice and support, Test and Trace support payment.
Help in Emergencies for Local People (HELP)
The HELP scheme is a discretionary scheme offering local welfare assistance including: • support for exceptional needs • limited payments for emergency funding in a crisis • to help people moving out of care
All awards are subject to a means test, which means we will look at your income and expenditure. This includes income that is available to you, including income we usually ignore when looking at your claim for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction. Funding will be made on a one-off basis and will be restricted to one award in any 12 month period. Normally awards will be restricted to provide help with food vouchers or recycled goods. For information on who can apply, and how you can apply, visit:
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/housing-benefit-council-tax/help.aspx
Employment and benefits support
If you are affected by coronavirus or its effect on the economy, there is a wide range of support available. The Understanding Universal Credit website provides information about the changes the government has brought in to support people who are already claiming benefits, need to claim benefits, or are at risk of losing their job as a result of coronavirus. To find information you need about Universal Credit and other benefits visit: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/employment-and-benefits-support/
Benefits and Job Centre Plus Universal Credit (UC)
If you have any queries please use your UC journal to make contact, if you have a change in circumstances please report this on your home page. If you are unable to access your digital account, please contact 0800 328 5644. There may be a longer waiting time than usual on the telephony service as they are experiencing high call levels. Legacy benefits.
If you claim Job seekers Allowance (JSA), Income Support (IS) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) please contact your relevant benefit on 0800 169 0310 if you have any queries. Please listen carefully as the options may have changed since you last rang. You can contact your local jobcentre by ringing 0800 169 0190 and you will be put through to/or a message passed to your local jobcentre. Jobcentres are limiting the number of people allowed in the offices during Covid-19 so please only attend a jobcentre if you have a booked face to face appointment or have no other way of contacting Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Local jobcentres can support with both ensuring you receive the correct benefit to support you whilst you are looking for work and if your circumstances mean you are currently unable to look for work. They can provide advice and sign posting to local support organisations. They work closely with both partners and providers to offer a range of training that is relevant to the local economy and is most likely to enable customers to gain skills to return to work.
Support with finding work
Jobhelp -The Department for Work and Pensions new website aimed at getting Britain back to work. The aim of the website is to highlight the range of support and advice on offer to help jobseekers find jobs, and employers get the people they need, all in one place. Jobhelp is a good place to start if you are looking for work. Their website provides a range of support:
https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/
Money matters
The Live Well Cheshire West site provides a range of support for a range of different money related matters, including: • Budgeting, banking and managing money • Money and benefits • Paying for care • Grants and funds • Debt • Help in a crisis
Visit: https://livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/Categories/3748
Citizens Advice Cheshire West
Free, impartial advice and information on a range of issues. Advice is independent and completely confidential. Information to help you make the right choices if you are in debt. Such as how to avoid losing your home and how to get your finances back into shape.
Help can include: • working out how much money you owe and the debts you should pay back first • budgeting your bills • getting a bank account • starting a pension • dealing with creditors • gambling advice and/or problems with tax
For further information visit: https://www.citizensadvicecw.org.uk/debt-and-money
or telephone: 03445 766111
(phone lines are open Monday-Friday 10am to 4pm.
Domestic Abuse
Some children and adults could be facing increased risks as we all asked to stay at home due to COVID-19. It is important you know you're not alone.
The Council is continuing to work with other agencies to offer you support and encourage you to make contact when out on an essential trip (like shopping) to ask for help.
Open the Door signposts to local and national help, encouraging people to start a conversation about domestic abuse and bring it out from behind closed doors. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 999.
For advice and support visit:
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/news-and-views/incidents/coronavirus-covid-19/how-to-get-help/domestic-abuse.aspx
Silent Solution 55
IF YOU CALL 999 FROM A MOBILE
If making a sound would put you or someone else in danger and the operator cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, your call will be transferred to the Silent Solution system. The Silent Solution is a police system to help people who are unable to speak, but who genuinely need police assistance. You will hear an automated police message, which lasts for 20 seconds and begins with ‘you are through to the police’. It will ask you to press 55 to be put through to police call management.
Please see the attached Silent Solution 55 information sheet for further details.
Free School Meals
Free School Meals does not include Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) where all government funded schools offer free school meals to pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. If your child was receiving UIFSM but you believe you may be eligible for Free School Meals please apply here https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/education-and-learning/school-meals.aspx
ParentPay
Thank you to everyone who has activated their ParentPay account. We now use this system to send out whole school letters via email and for payments for both dinners and activities.
If you do not have a bank account, payments can be made at any Pay Point outlet. If you require a Pay Point card, please contact the school office to request one.
‘Moving Forward Together With Hope’
For many people things are difficult right now, and that’s why we’re supporting the @NSPCC who are still there for children who need their support now more than ever.
- Whether you want support and advice for adapting to family life in lockdown, or you’re worried about a child, the NSPCC are there to help.
- Whether you’re juggling childcare with working from home, or your children are feeling anxious about the coronavirus, the NSPCC have got tips and advice for you.
Visit the NSPCC coronavirus hub for information and advice to support you and your children. - Home isn’t a safe place for every child. With schools closed and children spending more time at home, you might have spotted something that’s worrying you. If you’re worried, talk to the NSPCC. The helpline is free, and you don’t have to say who you are. The helpline is open 7 days a week.
If you’re worried about a child, please call their helpline on 0808 800 5000or you can email help@nspcc.org.uk
Barnardo’s ‘See Hear Respond’ service
See Hear Respond is a service provided across England by Barnardo’s and other national and local community-based organisations in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The programme has been created to help children and young people in England who are experiencing harm and increased adversity during this period by providing support to those who are not being seen by social care or other key agencies.
Working with its partners, Barnardo’s aims to reduce the likelihood of harm and ensure other support and protective networks are in place using:
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See Hear Respond accept referrals from any source either through the Freephone number 0800 151 7015 and via their online referral hub.
CWAC Safeguarding Chrildren Partnership - Queensberry AP (Click here)
Queensberry AP
"Queensberry AP has been born out of a combination of many things; our own experiences of mainstream and specialist education sectors, our previous successes working with extremely vulnerable students, recognising the need for an alternative for hard to reach students within Cheshire West and the importance of practical learning with achievable outcomes for disengaged students."
"With a combined experience of over 30 years working with some of the most vulnerable and difficult to engage young people and families, we are immensely passionate about the work that we undertake. With a wide breadth of experience across a number of sectors including SEBD schools, Social Care and as senior leaders within a Pupil Referral Unit setting and mainstream schools, the interventions we have developed are based upon our own personal experiences and support young people, families and professionals from a wide range of backgrounds."
"The partnership we have developed with Her Majesty’s Prison Service has helped to support with our model of early intervention and ensures that young people receive support and guidance from adults with real-life experience of the issues that our provision aims to challenge and combat."
NHS Track and Trace Scams
We have been informed by Cheshire West and Chester that there has been an increase in scam calls in relation to NHS Track and Trace where people are being asked to pay for a home testing kit etc.
NHS track and Trace Service will never ask you to pay for a test, ask for bank details, passwords or pin numbers. Never share personal details if you are not sure who you are talking to.
NHS Coronavirus Helpline
This is a 24 hour crisis line for all residents of Cheshire West, Cheshire East and Wirral - 0300 303 3972
Useful Internet Safety websites:
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Thinkyouknow - https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ (advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online).
Internet Matters - https://www.internetmatters.org/
Parent Info - https://parentinfo.org/
ICON - Speak to someone if you need support such as your family, friends, Midwife, GP or Health Visitor about infant crying. Click on the ICON link to take you to the webpage.
Paper copies of any letters are available from the office upon request.
