Many social distancing guidelines are different for children, a number of whom have now returned to school in Scotland.
This page includes useful links to these guidelines, along with information and resources for those at school, school leavers and their families.
Children’s Social Distancing Guidance Changes in Phase 3
At the start of July, the First Minister announced changes to requirements for physical distancing amongst young children who are not shielding.
As Scotland is now in Phase 3 of recovery, children under 12 years old can now play with their friends without having to social distance, or keep 2 metres apart. They also do not need to keep 2 metres apart from older children or adults outside of their household (unless these people are in the increased risk category).
Children can now meet up to 15 friends from up to 4 households outdoors, or up to 8 friends from up to 2 households indoors.
Children over 12 years old still need to socially distance at this time.
For further information on how Phase 3 guidance and restrictions affect children and families, please visit the Parent Club page (which is updated regularly).
- Scottish Government’s Framework for Re-Opening Schools
On Tuesday 23rd June, Deputy First Minister John Swinney spoke before the Scottish Parliament and announced plans to re-open Scottish schools 7 weeks later, on Tuesday 11th August.
Scottish schools closed in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown procedures. Mr Swinney noted that while the plan is to re-open Scottish schools fulltime, this has to be achieved safely, and remains conditional and dependent upon ongoing scientific and health advice, as part of a wider approach.
To read Mr Swinney’s statement in full, please visit the Scottish Government website.
The Scottish Government COVID-19 framework is also available to view online, along with the Strategic Framework for Re-Opening Schools, Early Learning and Childcare Provision.
- DYW Leaving School Online Programme
Forth Valley Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) has created a programme of online content, aimed at young people leaving school this summer, their parents and carers.
The programme includes several elements, such as the DYW Skills Academy, E-DYW (which is an online portal of resources), and “Scotland’s Biggest Parent’s Evenings” – these online events are designed for young people who have just left, or are about to leave, school, their parents, carers and guardians, and take place on:
- Tuesday 7th July, 7pm – 7:30pm (“Pathways to Industry”)
- Tuesday 21st July, 7pm – 7:30pm (“Vocational Pathways to Industry”)
- Tuesday 4th August, 7pm – 7:30pm (“#NoWrongPath to Industry”)
- Tuesday 15th September, 7pm – 7:30pm (“Pathways to Priority Industries”)
All events will be broadcast via YouTube and Facebook and available for future viewing; attendees will receive the link before the broadcast starts.
For further information, including how to register for access to the programme and resources, please read the full web article.
- Online Learning Support from Education Scotland and e-Sgoil
Working in partnership, Education Scotland and e-Sgoil will provide new support to increase the availability of online learning across different subjects and support digital inclusion throughout Scotland.
The support aims to develop a strong national e-learning provision, with a number of additional teachers from local authorities trained to provide online lessons (available to learners in the senior phase in Scotland via Glow). These online lessons are designed to help support and augment the work of classroom teachers in local arrangements for schools re-opening on Tuesday 11th August.
All local authorities and schools in Scotland will be able to access live lessons on a range of subjects, and will take shared ownership for delivering these.
For further information, please read the full web article.
The COVID-19 Children & Families Collective Leadership Group has considered the Scottish Government COVID-19 framework, and produced a route map specifically related to services for children and young people.
The group endorses the intent of Scottish Government’s framework map to support Scotland’s children and families, as part of the continued commitment to “Getting It Right For Every Child” (GIRFEC).
The children and young people’s services route map covers Phase 2 to 4 of Scotland’s recover; there might be further updates.
To view or download the COVID-19 Children & Families Collective Leadership Group’s route map, please visit the CVS Falkirk website.
