Thank you for subscribing to the PRUsAP Mailing List. Given that we currently find ourselves in uncharted waters, we wanted to let you all know what we are currently doing to support PRUs and APs in the current climate, and how we can all work together throughout this most difficult of challenges.

From the Executive Committee

Full Text of the Letter to Gavin Williamson

An open Letter

Dear Mr. Williamson,

The staff that work within PRUs and AP are dedicated to the work they do. We are here to help and support the country in exceptional circumstances. The majority of PRUs and APs had robust pandemic plans which are pupil and staff focussed. We understand the nuances of the children we work with and the communities we serve.

Unfortunately, the announcement yesterday was a broad brush approach which has taken attention away from meeting the needs of the children and wider issues, by insisting on an approach which puts staff and children at risks. Further, PRUsAP was not consulted or engaged with.

We are here, we are ready to help, we are ready to support. We have a range of strategies that can support the education system and wider society in challenging times. 

However, we are writing to you with a range of concerns, these being;

Communication

Announcements are being made without discussion, and without having a real understanding of the vulnerable young people that we serve. This means that we are not supporting the sector to make professional local decisions. 

These announcements are coming at times which makes it difficult to plan for and are ambiguous in nature.   The guidance is too grey and yet still does not allow for local decisions.  There are attempts at shoring gaps in the wider system relating to social care in a sector which is already under resourced and funded.

Resources

Many PRUs and AP are in accommodation which will not allow for two metres between young people and staff, increasing risks associated with infection control.

That we are providing food for our students but do not have access to our normal routes of provision. For example, many PRUs and AP may rely on online shopping but now find themselves without this route. We also do not have access to specific times at shopping centres, and even then restriction of food supplies to customers means we cannot buy the appropriate amount. 

Many of the APs and PRUs that we have spoken to have informed us that social workers are not making home visits and are working from home, whilst PRUs and AP are then expected to do this.

Increased staffing ratios in AP and PRUs makes it even more difficult to be able to get the number of staff required to support these children. Whilst some Local Authorities have offered help, many of the children require significant support and time to develop relationships. We expect that many of our staff will be in a position where they have to self-isolate or become unwell which is going to have a fundamental impact on being able to resource this effectively. 

EHCPs

Some PRUs and AP work with children that have an EHCP. We are concerned that some parents/carers with children that have EHCPs may initially decide to not send their children in, but then as things become more challenging in relation to isolation (and understandable so) that they will then ask schools to support with those children in attending. This will put on additional stresses on the system.  

As an executive committee we would like our concerns above addressed and we ask for clarity around the following questions;

• Why did the guidance change and focus on PRUs and AP?
• Why wasn’t the wider sector consulted?

Yours sincerely

Sarah Dove MA NPQH FCCT

President of PRUsAP

Online Support from PRUsAP

It's clear that a number of colleagues are keen to connect on a more regular basis and have contacted us directly for help and support.

Jo Lawrence, Headteacher and member of the PRUsAP Executive Team has offered to host virtual support sessions with other AP colleagues - this is an open offer to the AP community. Yesterday Jo tweeted the message below, and has already received a number of requests for virtual support.

If you want to join Jo and other members of the PRUsAP Team for a chat or to ask a question, please DM Jo (@JoCLawrence) to get your Zoom invite.

Frequently Asked Questions - School Closure

We're currently fielding a lot of questions on social media in relation to the current school closure guidance. We've pulled together a few of the most common queries that we are receiving and responding to:

How are you providing Free School Meals to those eligible but not attending?

The government is expected to roll out its own voucher scheme for those entitled to Free School Meals, however, there is currently little information on how and when this will happen.

A number of Local Authorities have organised schemes using their school catering service while awaiting the plans from the government, so it is worth speaking with your LA.

Some schools are purchasing vouchers for local supermarkets or to the preferred supermarket of the parent. Vouchers can be purchased both in store and online and are usually up to a value of £2.50 per day, and can be age-restricted so that they cannot be used to purchase anything with a minimum age limit, such as cigarettes and alcohol. 

In other schools, food parcels/hampers are being put together which can be collected from the school.

It is hoped that by Easter we will have a better understanding of the time frame for the government voucher scheme. 

How are you securing the well-being of your staff?

At this current time, the well-being of all staff is a key priority especially as APs and PRUs are expected to continue to support the vulnerable via any means possible. It is recognised that staff are exhausted as the end of term approaches and now they are also managing the impact of COVID-19. 

A key thing to remember is that staff and students all need time to adjust; they may need tasks to help them focus, but they also need 'head space'. Schools should also be mindful of the childcare arrangements of staff when not in school.

A range of well being and support mechanisms are being utilised across the sector through these troubling times. Here are a few ideas - we would love to share more via twitter using #thisisAP

• Buddy systems for staff
• Regular Check-in emails
• Making sure staff are well informed and updated regularly
• Sharing risk assessments
• Sharing techniques for managing anxiety such as yoga and breathing
• Providing clarity of day to day expectations
• Employee assist scheme for staff
• Health and safety advice for staff
• Support where staff are self-isolating / social distancing
• Reduced working patterns where possible

What are schools doing to ensure children are Safeguarded?

Safeguarding is what we do best; it's the bread and butter of Alternative Provision. We haven’t let the current situation prevent that, if anything, schools are offering a heightened safeguarding offer. Here are some of the safeguarding measures that are being utilised across the sector:

• Video links for safe and well checks
• Home visits (obeying social distancing)
• Daily calls
• Provision on-site
• On-line learning packages
• Liaison with external agencies such as YOT and Social Care to co-ordinate support and visits
• Virtual safeguarding meetings when necessary

Most Recent Guidance

On Social Media

And Finally,

Do you know someone who would like to receive our newsletter? If so, please share this email. If you received this message from a colleague, please use the subscribe box below to join our mailing list and keep up-to-date on PRUsAP news, national stories and to share best practice in the AP sector.