Agenda Item No
The Vale of Glamorgan Council
Scrutiny Committee [Lifelong Learning] 27th July 2009
Director of Learning and Development
Swine Flu - Education Preparations
Purpose of the Report
1. The Chairman of
Scrutiny Committee [Lifelong Learning] has requested a report to
brief Scrutiny Members on the preparations in place to respond to
the Swine Flu pandemic.
Recommendations
1. That Scrutiny Committee
note the arrangements in place.
2. That a further report
be presented in September
Reasons for the Recommendations
1. To advise Members.
2. To ensure Members are
kept apprised of developments.
Background
2. Members will be aware
that the Swine Flu pandemic was announced in April 2009. On
1st May 2009, following discussions with the Headteacher Steering
Group, advice was sent to all schools briefing them on the
preparations already in place, the arrangements which would need to
be made within schools and providing a letter to be distributed to
parents [Appendix
1]. Headteachers were also advised that a Helpline had
been established within the Learning and Development
Directorate.
Relevant Issues and Options
3. In the period from 1st
May, a series of further documents have been received from the
National Public Health Services [NPHS], from the Health Minister
and from the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning
and Schools [DCELLS]. Where relevant, the advice has been
passed directly to schools. Specialist advice has also been
obtained and circulated in relation to residential setting and to
ensure that staff dealing with helpline queries are kept informed
of latest developments in order to deal with frequently asked
questions. Specific advice has also been obtained from the
National Public Health Service in relation to suspected incidents
in Vale of Glamorgan Schools.
4. On 15th July, DCELLS
provided further information, including a letter to parents with a
request that these be circulated to all schools. This was
done with an accompanying note [Appendix
2 ], although in view of the fact that some schools had closed
for the summer vacation period, the information has also been
provided to Members of the Council and to the local press
[Appendix
3].
5. At the end of the
summer term, 21 schools had reported incidents of suspected Swine
Flu [Appendix
4]. In some instances, these related to pupils, in others
to family members.
6. It is clear that there
will be further cases of Swine Flu reported over the summer months
and into the autumn term. The Education Service preparations
will continue as part of the wider Council response.
7. An emergency
communications network with Headteachers has been established and
will be utilised in the event of any significant developments or
changes in advice from the NPHS. The expectation is that
schools will open as planned in September and that they will
continue to remain open whilst sufficient staff are available to
ensure the safety of pupils and staff.
8. The Chair of this
Committee has requested that a further report will be brought to
Scrutiny Committee in the autumn, updating Members on
developments.
Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)
9. There are no resource
implications arising directly from this report.
Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)
10. None.
Crime and Disorder Implications
11. There are
no crime and disorder implications.
Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language
issues)
12. None.
Corporate/Service Objectives
13. This
report is consistent with the Council's priorities for Education
and Lifelong Learning.
Policy Framework and Budget
14. This is a
matter for Executive consideration.
Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)
15. Headteachers, Teaching
Associations and Elected Members have been kept informed of
developments.
Relevant Scrutiny Committee
16. Lifelong
Learning.
Background Papers
DCELLS advice.
Contact Officer
Bryan Jeffreys
Director of Learning and Development
Officers Consulted
None.
Responsible Officer:
Bryan Jeffreys
Director of Learning and Development