Page 8 - SEN106 SEN Magazine May-June 2020
P. 8

Boroughs have praised the ‘superstars’ in London schools, early   years services, and social work teams supporting vulnerable   children during the coronavirus emergency. London Councils,   the cross-party group for local government in the capital,   highlights how schools and children’s services have rapidly   adapted to the challenges posed by Covid-19 and maintained   support for those most in need.  Schools and early years childcare providers have played a   crucial role in London’s response to the pandemic by staying   open for the children of key workers – including doctors and   nurses, police officers, and council staff in vital frontline services.  Children with education health and care plans for their special   needs are also eligible to stay in school – and special schools   have remained open if it has been judged safe to do so and if   there is demand.    Less visibly, London social workers are keeping up face-to-  face contact with vulnerable children in critical cases. Support   is prioritised for those with the most significant safeguarding   needs, with borough social care teams providing ongoing   protective support.  Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, London Councils’ Executive Member   for Schools and Children’s Services, said: “Boroughs are   incredibly grateful to everyone in London’s schools, early   years services, and social care teams supporting vulnerable   children in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. Although the   last few weeks have been hugely difficult and we continue to   face momentous challenges, staff have worked flexibly and    with great commitment to keep services running for    vulnerable children. We’re lucky to have so many superstars   working in schools and children’s services across the capital.”  A GP surgery in Somerset reportedly recommended preparing   ‘do not resuscitate’ (DNR) orders for autistic adults in the care of   an Autism support group in case they became critically ill during   the Coronavirus crisis. The advice was swiftly denounced   by the Somerset health trust and just about everyone who   was prepared to comment publicly. “Some really horrible   attitudes still prevail” said one commentator. Sadly, this does   not appear to be an isolated incident, with similar cases being   reported in Brighton and south Wales. The British Medical   Association points out that blanket DNRs are in any case   ethically unacceptable and that a learning disability, autism   or stable long-term disability, are not in themselves ever   reasons for a DNR.  Coronavirus reveals    ‘horrible attitudes’  Nominations for the Fostering Excellence Awards 2020 are   open. Please nominate the incredible people you know and   help celebrate the transformational power of foster care.   You can nominate more than one persoṇ: foster carers, care-  experienced young people, social workers, fostering-friendly   employers. Check that they would be willing to accept an   award publicly and appear in the media. Nominations close   on 5 June 2020. The awards ceremony is due to take place   on Monday 19 October 2020 in London.  Information and nomination forms are available at   thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/awards.  Fostering Excellence  London school and social work ‘superstars’   supporting vulnerable children  SEN  106  senmagazine.co.uk  8  SEN news


































































































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