Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the impact on the education of children with covid-19 symptoms who cannot undergo PCR testing due to sensory issues and who have to isolate regardless of whether or not they have covid-19.

The decision on whether to admit a child with symptoms lies with the school. In the schools COVID-19 operational guidance and in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) COVID-19 operational guidance it says: ‘‘In most cases, parents and carers will agree that a pupil with symptoms should not attend the school, given the potential risk to others. If a parent or carer insists on a pupil attending your school, you can take the decision to refuse the pupil if, in your reasonable judgment, it is necessary to protect other pupils and staff from possible infection with COVID-19. Your decision would need to be carefully considered in light of all the circumstances and current public health advice.’’

Where a pupil or student is unable to attend their education provider because they are complying with clinical or public health advice, we expect their education provider to be able to offer them access to high quality remote education. It is important that systems are put in place to keep in contact with them and regularly check if they are accessing remote education. If they have a social worker, they should also agree the best way to maintain contact and offer support.

Teachers are best placed to know how to most effectively meet pupil and student needs, ensuring they continue to make progress if they are not in face to face education because they are following public health advice. We recognise that some pupils and students with SEND may not be able to access remote education without adult support, and expect schools and colleges to work collaboratively with families and implement reasonable adjustments so that pupils with SEND can successfully access remote education appropriate for their level of need.

Where children and young people with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are not attending their education provision because they are following public health advice, multi-agency professionals should collaborate to agree how to meet their duties to deliver the provision set out in the EHCP. This may include face to face visits to the home, or virtual support by means of video or telephone calls, or via email.