In the latest COVID-19 update from Cardiff Council: guidance published to help schools, colleges and childcare settings; thousands of devices delivered as Cardiff responds to digital deprivation, particularly vital now, as blending learning is part of the new arrangements for schools; and ‘Know, Look, Act', keeping children safe.

Guidance published to help schools, colleges and childcare settings

The Welsh Government has today published guidance for schools to plan for pupils to return from 29 June to "check in, catch up and prepare for summer and September".

The guidance, ‘Keep Education Safe', provides practical and learning guidance on preparing schools for a phased return up to the end of the summer term, supporting settings to safely increase their on-site operations.

In each school there will be a phased approach. Year groups will be split into small groups with staggered starts and breaks. It is expected that this will mean, at most, a third of pupils present at any one time

The guidance for schools is divided into two sections: on operational matters and on learning. The guidance is supported by a Frequently Asked Questions page on the Welsh Government website, which will provide answers to common questions as they arise.

The Welsh Government is also publishing guidance for childcare settings today, to support the sector in opening up more widely and ensuring providers can operate safely.

Read more here:

https://gov.wales/education-coronavirus

The Council is undertaking careful planning around a series of measures which aim to respond to the challenges and issues relating to schools and other education providers, moving out of lockdown.

Cardiff's Restart Planning report details how schools could operate following lockdown sets out a series of processes and procedures which will aim to support schools, specifically so that they can ensure the safety of staff, pupils and parents and reduce the spread of the virus by operating in physically distanced environments.

Council measures will include:

• New health & safety procedures to include space capacity assessments and risk assessments to establish volume, appropriate furniture lay-out, movement flows and external spaces
• Hygiene and cleaning to establish a regime for hand washing, contact point cleaning and deep cleaning of school spaces
• Workforce capacity assessments to ensure adequate staffing and staff preparation and support to - identify and respond to the needs of staff including virtual health & safety training
• Identifying equipment and additional resources such as PPE and when it is required based on clear and informed advice
• Additional support for pupils and school staff around health & well-being, for example issues around family trauma as well as mental health issues relating to isolation
• Widening of pavements and pathways at some school sites to facilitate social distancing and prevent the need for vulnerable road users to step into the road
• Introduction of temporary 20mph limits on roads around schools where possible and consider temporary road closures at drop-off and pick up times

Regular updates will provide full details of the school arrangements as the 29^thJune opening date approaches.

Thousands of devices delivered as Cardiff responds to digital deprivation

Just under 6000 digital devices including Chromebooks and iPads have been distributed to children and young people in Cardiff who have been identified as digitally deprived. This is in addition to 1400 4G mobile broadband devices.

Through the establishment of a dedicated project team, the Council has worked with schools to determine exactly how many pupils require digital support and developed a range of ways to address the issue of digital deprivation so that children and young people can continue to access online learning during school closures.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "Ensuring thatall children can access devices and internet connectivity is part of a long term strategy for Cardiff which was due to be put in place later this year but has been brought forward by the need during lockdown.

"Following Welsh Government's announcement that education will need to be delivered through blended learning which combines online educational materials with traditional classroom methods, further strengthens the importance that all children need digital access going forward, even when schools reopen. This scheme will make a huge difference to the way children are taught and will make sure they continue to access good quality education."

The scheme has been delivered by Cardiff Council funding, in partnership withWelsh Government's Education Technology Project Fund,to support children in Cardiff that have been unable to access online learning during school closures caused by COVID-19.

Keep Children Safe at Home: Know, Look, Act

During lockdown it's important toknowthat some children and young people may be being abused and exploited at home. They can be made to believe that they should never tell anyone and that the abuse is their fault. Shut in with their abusers, they have little chance to escape or tell anyone.

These children need your help. As a neighbour or key worker visiting homes for any reason you may be the only person to spot abuse and report it.

Lookout for these signs:

• Guarded behaviour around certain individuals
• Sudden changes in behaviour
• Children with bruises, burns, bite marks or fractures
• Children appearing withdrawn, anxious or frightened
• Hearing or seeing shouting or violence towards a child
• Children seen carrying or using drugs
• Children being late or arriving home late in different cars
• Unaccompanied children visiting a house where only adults live

Make sure toacton your concerns, even if you're unsure. In emergencies call 999.

For child concerns call the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 029 2053 6490.

For out of hours concerns call the Emergency Duty Team on 029 2078 8570.