Guidance issued on key worker status as OIC establishes childcare provision

The head of education in Orkney has urged parents working in key industries such as health and social care and education and childcare to return forms as Orkney Islands Council establishes childcare provision.

Schools and nurseries are to close in Scotland from today to help fight against the spread of the coronavirus.

An application form for key workers has been made available by the local authority on the council website here.

Executive director of education James Wylie said: “The form provides detailed information about key worker categories. We would encourage parents who are key workers to complete this as a matter of urgency so we can establish provision as soon as possible.”

The government has asked parents to keep children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

Schools, and all childcare providers, are therefore being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children.

The Scottish Government has provided guidance to councils on how to define key workers, which includes:

• health and care workers directly supporting COVID-19 response, life threatening emergency work, critical primary and community care; energy suppliers and teachers and those providing childcare for those at the frontline of the response
• all other health and care workers, emergency service and critical welfare workers and those supporting critical national infrastructure
• workers in the public, private and third sectors without whom there would be a significant impact on Scotland

This info can be found at: https://news.gov.scot/news/childcare-provision-for-key-workers

Mr Wylie said: “In Orkney, all schools, local authority early learning and childcare settings and the Papdale Halls of Residence will close to children and young people from 5pm on Friday.

“Work is underway to put to put provision in place for:

• The children of key workers, allowing parents and carers to play their part in the national response to COVID-19.
• S4 to S6 pupils, to ensure they can complete course work for national qualifications.
• Vulnerable children.

“The Scottish Government has asked us to do this by the end of next week. We will provide an update on progress as soon as we can.

”We are putting measures in place to support vulnerable children, including continued provision of free school meals.

“We are working with partner organisations to determine the key workers who will require childcare provision for children and young people under the age of 16.