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Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Coronavirus Action Plan

This page was last reviewed on 10th March 2022.

The Five Rivers Senior Leadership Team (SLT) reviews the advice from the Government as it is updated and as it may apply to our operations. We continue to follow Government guidance and thank all of our employees and carers who are continuing in their roles, and going above and beyond to deliver a service at this challenging time.

We consider all Five Rivers staff to be essential workers and we will be working as usual with appropriate risk assessed practice and safe working environments during this time.

The services we provide for children are essential services and it is our clear aim to continue to provide them, including care in foster homes, residential homes and schools and for their clinical appointments. Furthermore, all foster carers’ support from their social workers and support workers, plus our carer assessments and fostering panels will continue through the use of online technology.

Our mandatory employee training has been adapted to be delivered in a COVID safe way where required; and all employees who can work from home have been equipped to do so when needed.

The SLT meet weekly to discuss and assess the impact of COVID on how we deliver our services to update and support our employees accordingly.

If you have any questions specifically relating to Five Rivers services and Coronavirus, please email [email protected] or [email protected].

This webpage update is to help our external partners and colleagues, staff and carers need to link to our internal communications platforms.

In light of the closure of schools due to the ongoing COVID – 19 situation, we have put together a Home Learning Resources page, with an updated list of educational resources to aid children’s and young people’s home learning. You can access this here.

  • The government has provided guidance here.
  • You may have young people who use English as a second language and they maybe finding it difficult accessing information about Covid – 19 written in their own language. Information in a variety of other languages can be found here> https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/193qQN9l04Dvf0N9L5zeWTiXK_DRbrAxg
  • After careful consideration, we have decided to cancel our fostering events until next month for your safety and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak. We will still be able to answer your questions about fostering over the phone on 0345 266 0272 or by email at [email protected]. We will be keeping a close eye on the latest news surrounding Covid-19 and will be able to update you on further events nearer the time. In the meantime, please ensure you are keeping safe and listening to NHS advice. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/.
  • The Head of Education at Five Rivers is collating educational resources for the residential homes but are keen to offer support for foster carers as well.
  • All Five Rivers schools will continue to provide a service; considerable work has gone into making plans for alternative educational material to be delivered in various forms.
  • The Department for Education has launched a new helpline to answer any questions about COVID-19 related to education.
  • Foster carers and young people can contact the helpline as follows:

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

There are also regular updates on the Department for Education’s Twitter and Facebook channels.

  • All of our residential children’s homes continue to operate as normal, providing ongoing care to the children
  • All of our residential children’s homes are working with placing authorities to continue operating
  • The government has provided guidance here.

Assessment & Therapy are continuing to support the children and young people, and are working as part of an integrated team around each child and each home.

  • On the whole we are operating on a ‘business as usual’ basis, with some adaptations and minor disruptions.
  • Please contact your usual Five Rivers contact if you have any updates which may affect the services you provide.
  • A new NHS 111 online service can be accessed here: https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 where you can find more information about the virus. If you would prefer to speak to someone on the phone, you can call 111. This number is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

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