Communication | Support Services for Education

Image representing the news: SCC-ACS-0420-A001_Supporting Children with ASC FINAL

Supporting Children with ASC and their families during COVID-19 isolation

This time of uncertainty is a particularly challenging time for children and families as we are instructed to self-isolate or distance ourselves from friends, family and other support. This is vital to stop the spread of COVID-19. Normal routines and structures are gone temporarily, and we are coming to terms with a new ‘normal’. SCC have put together the attached pack and document to support families. The information within it has been generously shared by individuals and organisations, and in this spirit, we would ask you to share it with anyone you feel it could help. It is by no means ‘complete’ but contains some ideas which we hope will help.

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Shortlists for 2020 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals announced

The eight-strong shortlists for the prestigious CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals, the UK’s oldest book awards for children and young people, are revealed. Selected by volunteer Youth Librarians from longlists of 20 books per Medal, these titles reflect the very best in children’s writing and illustration published in the UK.With books promoting environmentalism, acceptance, kindness and bravery, the Awards’ mission ‘to inspire and empower the next generation to shape a better world through books and reading’ is mirrored across this year’s list. To see the full list, please visit here.

Image representing the news: SSE-0320-A006_free school meals

Free School Meals(FSM) – Alternative Provision Framework

SCC and SSE have been working with Food Providers across Somerset to offer an alternative offer to HM Govt’s recommended voucher system that offers a practical, secure and sustainable method of providing food to eligible children. This method will be trialled in West Somerset with a pilot school group. The framework will deliver a weekly supply of approved food content, supplied in boxes, to the homes of FSM-eligible children. The boxes will contain ambient temperature foodstuffs that can be used to provide a variety of meal options. Schools are free to select whichever method best suits their needs, of course, but SSE believes that this approach offers much greater assurance of meeting the full aims and objectives of FSM entitlement. If you would like your school to sign up for this framework, please register interest as quickly as possible by emailing Kirsty Budge at kbudge@somerset.gov.uk. SSE are also gathering information about the free school meals provision in this difficult time. Please could you complete the on line form using the link below as soon as possible: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=BvYktXr3okqNov5wNDsMzv8c6iihA5xIqdcTjSibafdURU84QVU4NUJDSkFBOFdLMFVUSzY5VEZERi4u You will then be contacted to verify the numbers of children eligible and discuss when you need the system to become effective, as we are aware that some schools have already issued vouchers for some way ahead. We are working as fast as we can to fully framework in place for after Easter and may be able to bring this forward in many areas if there is an immediate demand. If you have any queries please contact SSE@somerset.gov.uk.

Image representing the news: SCC-SCC-0320-A007_Social workers appeal

Urgent appeal for Social Workers

Somerset County Council are urgently looking to hire more Social Workers on a casual basis to ensure vital support to our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re an ex or retired Social Worker or an experienced social care practitioner currently not in employment, please click here to find out more about the vacancies available: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/our-vacancies/

Image representing the news: SSE-ELI-0320-A002_online safety and home learning

Online Safety and home learning – updated guidance from eLIM

The SSE Education Technology Team briefing about implementing a home learning strategy has been updated to include advice about use of links to YouTube and a cautionary guidance about the use of Live video tools, please click here: http://bit.ly/elimcovid19guidance. See also the guidance on data protection, which includes information on safe communication with colleagues, students and parents https://bit.ly/elimcovid19staffslides.

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