Covid-19: Special school staff want jab priority
- Category: news
- Published: Monday, 18 January 2021 14:15
- Written by webmaster
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Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities are calling for teachers in special schools to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Many parents have been told their children cannot attend school because of safety concerns about the virus.
Now they want staff in special schools to be prioritised for the vaccine and considered front-line workers.
The government said special schools should encourage pupils to attend.
Staff in special schools are often required to provide personal and medical care for pupils, such as clearing tracheotomies, on top of regular teaching responsibilities.
The schools also offer precious respite to many families of disabled children who require a lot of additional care.
Laura Godfrey, 33, from Norwich, is mum to nine-year-old Oscar, who usually attends a school for children with complex needs. His return was delayed at the start of term, despite government advice for these schools to remain open.
"His school provision is essential to us as a family. Oscar's mental health suffered a lot in the first lockdown, as did mine. It was a very dark time."
He is currently attending school, but Laura worries it could be forced to close in the event of an outbreak.
She is calling for staff at special schools to be given PPE and access to the vaccine, to keep schools open and protect vulnerable pupils.
"They should be recognised and treated as front-line staff and afforded the same protections."
Laura's calls have been echoed by Mark Powell, CEO of the Dorset-based Diverse Abilities charity which runs a special school in Poole.
