Key Workers List Published

Communication to members from Shane

The Government have published the following guidance on ‘critical’ workers over night. See links:

It confirms that people working in food industry will be prioritised for education provision it defines this as:

Food and other necessary goods – This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines)

This is a broad definition in line with what we asked for. However it is not explicitly clear that it covers those contractors employed in essential maintenance functions that support the food industry. Government also clarifies in these documents that families qualify if only one parent or carer in the house is working in the industry.

It does not set out a process for individuals or schools on how to secure the provision (including how you prove you need it) or how schools can decide to accept the claim or not. We will press to see if further clarification will be provided on this in meetings today.

As the advice makes clear parents are asked to use this only if they absolutely need to and only on the days they absolutely need it. There are a lot of people working in the industries in this list, if evidence comes through from schools  that the numbers of children are too high for them to cope, then (a) headteachers/local authorities can close the schools that can’t cope themselves or (b) government will take action to limit the list.

As ever please let me have any questions or feedback

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