10,000 signatures reached
To: Gavin Williamson - UK Secretary of State for Education
Vaccinate staff working in special educational needs settings against COVID-19
Add staff working in special educational needs settings to the priority list for vaccinations, alongside care & healthcare workers.
Why is this important?
A new strain of COVID-19 has resulted in a surge of cases and the R level increasing at an alarming rate. Hospitals across Kent, London and Essex have declared major incidencies, as they are unable to cope with the current level of demand. The new strain appears to be spread more easily by children than previous strains.
This has resulted in the government taking the decision to stagger the return of secondary schools and keep many primary schools in Tier 4 areas closed & they will not re-open after the Christmas holidays. This will be reviewed on January 18th.
However, legislation for SEND (Special educational needs and disabilities) settings has been ambiguous throughout this crisis, and the majority of SEND schools will be reopening their doors to pupils from Monday, where all staff (aside from the CEV in the highest tier areas) will be expected to return.
The current guidance from the Department of Health and Social care advises priority vaccinations to be given to "frontline health and social care workers at high risk of acquiring infection, at high risk of developing serious disease, or at high risk of transmitting infection to multiple vulnerable persons or other staff".
Staff working with pupils in special needs schools also meet the above criteria. They work in environments where it is impossible to maintain social distancing, the use of masks may be very difficult and they are expected to carry out personal care.
It will also be very difficult to carry out the mass testing of pupils in these settings, which the government have said is vital as a long term aim to stop the spread of this awful disease.
Tragically a recent report from Public Health England, found that people with learning disabilities were 6 times more likely to die from COVID-19, during the first wave of the pandemic.
If staff working in these settings were to be vaccinated as a priority, it would mean that not only were they protected, but it would also protect the vulnerable children in their care.
