UPDATE 25 March 2020
Following the Government’s announcement on Friday 20 March 2020 about the employment and wage subsidy package being put in place amid the coronavirus pandemic, we have already received a number of enquiries from concerned workers. Please be assured that it is our top priority to understand what this package means for all of our supply workers and we will, of course, communicate this to you once further information is given by the Government. To enable us to deal with any questions you may have, and support you as best we can, please direct any relevant queries or questions to me@omniteach.co.uk.
We are encouraging our supply staff to make a Universal Credit application as soon as possible if you haven't already done so. Please see the .Gov website at www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-universal-credit for more information. You will not have to go to the jobcentre to claim Universal Credit if you’re advised to self-isolate. If you are already claiming Universal Credit, the amount of Universal Credit you receive changes automatically if your take home pay changes.
Coronavirus
The health and wellbeing of pupils and staff is a priority for us. The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) to the public from moderate to high, so we want to ensure our staff are aware of all the latest guidance, where you can access further information and in what circumstances you need to contact us about the virus.
On the 18 March 2020, the Government announced that most schools in the UK will close from Friday 21 March until further notice in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Schools, colleges and nurseries will close to help slow the spread of the virus, which will help save lives and protect the most vulnerable. Schools will need to put provision in place for pupils of key coronavirus workers (such as NHS, police, social care and supermarket drivers and teachers) and vulnerable children including pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Please see the .Gov website for a list of key workers.
Inevitably, this will have an impact on the availability of work for our supply staff, which we understand is very concerning. We are liaising with schools and will continue to provide staff for the education providers who are struggling for staff for the continued provision that the Government has asked them to provide for pupils of key workers and vulnerable children.
Any staff who are experiencing financial difficulties during this time should make a Universal Credit application as soon as possible if they haven't already done so.
Information about the virus
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus. The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 and 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, it is unlikely that they have been infected.
Symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
● A cough
● A high temperature, and
● Shortness of breath
However, if you have these symptoms it does not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
New rules on staying at home and away from others
The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. That is why the government is now (23 March 2020) introducing three new measures.
1. Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes
2. Closing non-essential shops and community spaces
3. Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public
Every citizen must comply with these new measures.
The relevant authorities, including the police, will be given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings. These measures are effective immediately. The Government will look again at these measures in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.
Staying at home
You should only leave the house for one of four reasons.
● Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
● One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household.
● Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
● Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.
These four reasons are exceptions - even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.
These measures must be followed by everyone. Separate advice is available for individuals or households who are isolating, and for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded.
How it is spread & preventing the spread of infection
The spread of COVID-19 is most likely to happen when there is close contact (within 2 metres) with an infected person. These are some of the things you can do to help stop viruses like coronavirus spreading:
DO
● Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
● Put used tissues in the bin immediately.
● Wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
● Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
DON'T
● Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
When to contact us
You need to get in touch with us immediately if you:
● or anyone in your household, have a continuous cough or high temperature
● are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
● have been identified as being a close contact of someone with coronavirus, or
● have visited a Category 1 or 2 country/area in the last 14 days, or have plans to visit a Category 1 or 2 country/area.
Further information
You can keep up-to-date with all the latest information and guidance relating to coronavirus on the following websites:
● .Gov - please also see the guidance for educational settings and social or community care and residential settings
● NHS
FAQs
What should I do if a school has sent everyone home because a member of staff or pupil is being tested for coronavirus?
Get in touch with us to let us know what's happened. We will make contact with the school to make sure we are kept up-to-date with any developments. Current guidance states that you have to self-isolate if you have been identified as being a close contact of someone with coronavirus, so no action is needed unless the result is confirmed positive.
Will I get paid if schools close to reduce the risk of infection?
If you are a supply worker who works on daily and short-term bookings, unfortunately you will not be entitled to receive any pay if the schools are closed as there will be no work available.
If you are in a long-term supply booking and the school you are placed in closes, it is at the school's discretion whether or not to pay for those days. Please discuss this with us.
Should I contact the office if I have any coronavirus symptoms?
You should contact us immediately if you, or anyone in your household, have any of the following symptoms:
● a continuous cough, or
● high temperature.
Please remember, you also need to get in touch with your branch if you:
● have been to a Category 1 or 2 country/area in the last 14 days
● you have any plans to visit a Category 1 or 2 country/area
● are waiting for a COVID-19 test result, or
● have been identified as being a close contact of someone with coronavirus and advised to self-isolate by your Local Health Protection team.
I am unable to work because I have coronavirus/coronavirus symptoms - am I entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP)?
If you have coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms which require you to self-isolate in line with Government guidance, you will need to contact us to see if you are eligible for SSP. You must notify us within seven days of the first day of your sickness and you will be required to complete a Self-Certification Form to confirm why you are ill and unable to work. You will be required to provide medical certifications after the 7-day self-certification period expires.
Most of the schools have closed, will I be able to get any financial support because I am unable to work?
Following the Government’s announcement on Friday 20 March 2020 about the employment and wage subsidy package being put in place amid the coronavirus pandemic, we have already received a number of enquiries from concerned workers. Please be assured that it is our top priority to understand what this package means for all of our supply workers and we will, of course, communicate this to you once further information is given by the Government. To enable us to deal with any questions you may have, and support you as best we can, please direct any relevant queries or questions to me@omniteach.co.uk.
You may be eligible to claim Universal Credit if you need financial support as a result of coronavirus. Do not delay in making a claim via the .Gov website at www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-universal-credit. You will not have to go to the jobcentre to claim Universal Credit if you’re advised to self-isolate.
If you are already claiming Universal Credit, the amount of Universal Credit you receive changes automatically changes if your take home pay changes.
Stay Safe!
OmniTeach