Coronavirus
Summary
At CfL, our priority is the welfare of our students and staff. We have therefore put strict health & safety policies in place to minimize risks related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
These are in compliance with guidelines published by Public Health England and include:
Any student or staff member joining the course must already have been in the UK for at least 10 days before the course and must be completely symptom free.
Family members or carers visiting our courses to pick up or drop off children must comply with latest regulations stated by Public Health England at the point of their visit, otherwise they cannot be permitted on site.
All children will have their temperature taken when entering the site.
Additional personal hygiene practices will be put into place during our courses. This will include the thorough washing of hands at regular intervals throughout the day and any resources being disinfected.
Children will be separated into groups no larger than 20 and will not mix with any other children during class time (children will mix with their own groups over break and lunchtime).
Appropriate social distancing will be adhered too, including at collection/drop off. Course activities will allow for children to maintain the advised distance apart.
We will not suspend an entire group if one child tests positive for Coronavirus. From 19 July, children should only self-isolate (for 10 days) if they test positive for the virus, have symptoms for Coronavirus themselves or are informed that they are a close contact by NHS Test and Trace.
In the event of any course being cancelled on the advice of Public Health England, insufficient booking numbers, or your child being unable to attend due to COVID-19, your booking will be refunded in full or pro-rata for time missed. Alternatively, you will have the option to transfer your booking to a future offline course or one of our online courses.
How has the course content been adapted?
We have adapted our group activities so that no direct physical contact between children is required (hand holding, physical partner work etc). Parents and children should be aware that our course content is based on team challenges and ‘working together’ to apply specific life skills; our courses will continue to focus on this approach and children will be working in close proximity with the other children in their group of up to 20.
Full Policy
Attendance requirements
Any student or staff member joining the course must already have been in the UK for at least 10 days before the course and must be completely symptom free.
Family members or carers visiting our courses to pick up or drop off children must comply with latest regulations stated by Public Health England at the point of their visit, otherwise they cannot be permitted on site.
CfL trainer only need to isolate if they: test positive, develop COVID-19 symptoms or have been advised to do so by NHS Test and Trace, including by the NHS COVID-19 app. If they believe that they are a contact of someone with COVID-19 but have not yet been notified by Test and Trace, they should carefully follow the guidance on how to stop the spread of COVID-19. We will not suspend the course if a CfL trainer tests positive for COVID-19
We ask that all CfL trainers participating in our offline courses download the NHS Test and Trace App
Venue guidelines
We will follow the guidelines in place at each specific course venue (all school settings) as well as the most up to date government guidance at the time of each course.
This may include:
Social distancing
Hand sanitising stations
One-way systems
Lateral Flow testing (staff only)
We will expect all site users to follow these guidelines including staff, children and parents.
Collection and drop off arrangements
Children will be greeted and collected at the venue’s doors as usual.
Only one parent/carer will be allowed to accompany their child(-ren) to the course.
No one will be allowed to enter the site unless in cases of pre-arranged exceptional circumstances.
No one will be allowed to gather at the entrance doors.
Parents must maintain the appropriate social distancing when waiting outside before the venue opens its doors and leave promptly after collecting their child(-ren)
Parent must not go near the venue doors unless strictly necessary
Parents must remain outside the front of the venue’s entrance and wait for their child(-ren) to be visible at the door and ready to exit
Parents should check the Government recommendations on transport and try to reduce any unnecessary travel on public transport where possible, for example, by walking or cycling to the venue.
Additional cleaning and hygiene processes
Additional cleaning and hygiene processes will be followed during the course:
Regular cleaning and disinfecting of all frequently touched surfaces, equipment, door handles and toilets used during the day.
Clear routines to ensure the children understand when and how to wash their hands (including when entering the setting, regularly throughout the day, before and after eating and when they leave).
Hand sanitiser stations will be spread across the venue, including in each teaching room and various communal areas.
There will be a good supply of disposable tissues throughout the setting in order to implement the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach.
Activities and routines to encourage the children to naturally use all areas of the room, rather than congregate in one area.
All resources used by the children will be provided by CfL and appropriately disinfected before and after use.
Children should not bring in anything from home besides their lunch.
Anything taken home by the children will be items they have individually made. T shirts, keyrings, certificates and folders will given on the last day of the course and will be individually wrapped where possible.
Any toys/personal belongings from home will not be allowed within the venue
Content adaptations
We have adapted our group activities so that no direct physical contact between children is required (hand holding, physical partner work etc). Parents and children should be aware that our course content is based on team challenges and ‘working together’ to apply specific life skills; our courses will continue to focus on this approach and children will be working in close proximity with the other children in their group of up to 20.
Group size
The number of children in each group will be capped at 20 and will be led by one CfL trainer (plus one assistant where appropriate).
Each group will remain in the same classroom for the duration of the course.
During break and lunchtimes, children will mix with their own year groups.
Breaks and lunch arrangements
The children will continue to bring their own packed lunches which they will eat in their groups either in their classroom or outside (where possible). This is to limit the number of communal areas used by the children.
Tables/desks will be wiped with anti-bacterial wipes and the children and staff will wash their hands before and after each lunch/snack
Actions if a child/staff member is unwell
Parents and carers will need to take responsibility for themselves and their children only attending a course if they and their household are well and symptom-free.
All children and staff will have their temperature checked on arrival. If it is 37.8°C or above children will be isolated and looked after by a member of staff until a parent/carer can come and collect them. The member of staff will wear PPE where possible. The child must not return to the course unless a clear test is provided.
Behaviour expectations
The children will need to understand our new measures and practices and to learn to behave accordingly when they attend a course. This will include:
Following new instructions on hygiene, such as handwashing and sanitising;
Following instructions on who they can socialise with;
Following rules about sharing any equipment or other items;
Moving around the venue as per specific instructions such as one-way systems;
Understanding and following expectations about sneezing, coughing, tissues and disposal (‘catch it, bin it, kill it’) and avoiding touching their mouth, nose and eyes with their hands;
Telling an adult if they feel unwell, especially if they are experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus;
The CfL course facilitators will talk to the children about these new practices as well as the school expectations and will support them with regular reminders throughout every day. We’d also like to ask for parents’ support with these measures in order for their child to participate in our courses. Please read below for advice on how to reduce the risk of contracting Coronavirus and what to do if you suspect someone in your household may have it.
What to do it you think you, your child or someone you live with may have COVID-19
If you think you, your child or someone who lives with you may have symptoms, please self-isolate and follow the following NHS advice:
Anyone with symptoms should self-isolate for 10 days from when their symptoms started.
Anyone who does not have symptoms should self-isolate for 10 days from when the first person in their home started displaying symptoms.
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus:
Wash your hands with soap and water frequently – do this for at least 20 seconds;
Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available;
Wash your hands as soon as you get home;
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze;
Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands straight afterwards;
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
Please note that anyone in the UK aged five and over with symptoms is now eligible for a coronavirus test.