Parents and carers of children with Education Health Care Plans urged to send them into school

19th June 2020

Sefton Council is encouraging the parents and carers of children who have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) to send them into school.

Alongside children of key workers, pupils with an EHCP are among those who can attend school as vulnerable children. This applies to children of all ages and not just those in Years 1, 6, 10 and 12 who will be returning to the Borough’s schools from Monday (22 June).

Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Safeguarding Cllr John Joseph Kelly said: “Many parents and carers of children with EHCPs have told us that the structure and normality of attending school supports their children’s learning and development.

“We would, therefore, encourage parents and carers to send their children back into Sefton’s schools, where staff will be happy to discuss any support that might be required to enable them to attend.”

Schools across Sefton Borough have been open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for vulnerable children and the children of key workers, with the appropriate measures in place to ensure their safety. Further risk assessment and adjustments have been carried out in preparation for the return of Years 1, 6, 10 and 12 pupils on Monday.

Cllr Kelly also encouraged groups working with children with an EHCP to support their return to school.

He added: “I know groups such as Sefton Parent Carers Forum and Sendiass, Sefton CVS and Carers Service and the Council for Disabled Children have been doing a great job working to support these young people and their families.

“Now we would like them to support us by enabling and advising parents and carers to support the return to school from which these children can benefit so much.”