PPE Recommended use : special schools

This information has been created by Birmingham City Council

HANDWASHING IS THE PRIMARY PREVENTATIVE & PROTECTIVE MEASURE  AGAINST ALL INFECTIONS

General advice

Children in the NHS shielding (extremely vulnerable group)

• Where possible, all children in this group should stay at home and not attend school
• Children with symptoms, or where any household member has symptoms, should follow the national guidance and stay at home
• If a child needs to be in school then they should be separated from others
• Cohort staff as much as possible so the same staff member works with the same child / children
• Practice good hygiene - frequent hand washing, catch it bin it kill it.

All other children in special schools

• Where possible, all children should stay at home and not attend school
• Children with symptoms, or where any household member has symptoms, should follow the national guidance and stay at home
• If a child needs to be in school then follow social distancing (>2m) wherever possible. PPE is not needed in this situation
• Cohort staff as much as possible so the same staff member works with the same child / children
• Practice good hygiene - frequent hand washing, catch it bin it kill it.

Any activity where you can socially distance (>2m)

Examples

Teaching sessions, preparing meals

Children in the NHS shielding (extremely vulnerable group)

• No PPE required
  

All other children in special schools

• No PPE required

Personal care (within 2m) but no direct contact

Examples

Teaching sessions where you are unable to socially distance

Children in the NHS shielding (extremely vulnerable group)

• Wear PPE: disposable gloves, disposable apron, fluid resistant face mask

All other children in special schools

• Surgical mask. Use a fluid resistant surgical mask if there is a high risk of respiratory droplets e.g. frequent spitting, coughing. Consider eye protection
  

Close and direct contact (within 2m)

Examples

Feeding, giving medication, toiletting, washing, mild restraint

Children in the NHS shielding (extremely vulnerable group)

• Wear PPE: disposable gloves, disposable apron and fluid resistant face mask
• Consider the need for goggles if there are likely to be droplets e.g. child spits or coughs or has a speech impediment.
  

All other children in special schools

• Wear PPE: disposable gloves, disposable apron and fluid resistant face mask
• Consider the need for goggles if there are likely to be droplets e.g. child spits or coughs or has a speech impediment.

Aerosol generating procedures 

Examples

e.g. caring for children with tracheostomies

Children in the NHS shielding (extremely vulnerable group)

• See NHS guidance on PPE
  

All other children in special schools

• See NHS guidance on PPE

For an example of how this could work in practice, you can read Severndale Specialist Acadmey‘s  staff guidance on PPE and cleaning equipment procedures and guidance for staff below.