On August 12th, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association and Asthma Society of Ireland held an educational webinar for patients with respiratory conditions and their families.
The final webinar in the series focused on emerging from cocooning and ‘adapting to the new normal’, with a specific focus on the return to school.
The collaboration between CF Ireland, ILFA and the Asthma Society was part of a Covid-19 response project funded by the Community Foundation of Ireland and Bank of Ireland. The project saw the three patient organisations host a range of webinars and wellness sessions for people with respiratory conditions to help them adjust to the challenges that Covid-19 has presented and provide information and practical advice on a range of issues related to COVID-19.
Click below to watch a recording of the webinar.
We were overwhelmed with the number of questions received both prior and during the webinar. We were unable to answer all the questions submitted, but have put together some useful information below.
Does CFI have specific information for Children with CF returning to School?
We do not yet have any specific advice for Children with CF returning to school. We will share this information as soon as we get it.
We hope to also have information on any specific additional precautions your child (or their school) should take in the classroom.
In the meantime, we would recommend all parents contact their child / children's school in advance of start of the term to talk through their concerns.
Guidance for medically vulnerable children
We had a number of questions around why this guidance is different to the current HSE advice. The guidance above is specific to children (not adults), it is also broad advice for all medically vulnerable children and not just those living with CF. We are learning more about Covid-19 every week and it is likely that advice will change in light of this. Every person with CF is unique and their experience of the disease will be different. If you have any specific questions about your own child please contact your CF team.
What if my child is not returning to school in September?
If your child is not returning to the school environment this year due to the risk from Covid, the Roadmap outlines that it is the responsibility of your school to ensure access to ongoing educational supports. You should contact your school to notify them that your child will not be attending in person and to discuss alternative arrangements.
The Roadmap specifically states:
“Supporting pupils at “very high risk” of COVID-19
The Department is conscious that there may be some pupils for whom return to school at the end of August may not be appropriate because the relevant public health guidelines indicate they are at “very high risk”. Responsibility to ensure that these pupils receive appropriate support to engage adequately with learning remains with each school.
Good communication is key to supporting these pupils and to ensure their ongoing connection with their classmates and school community.
Additional supports will be provided for these pupils/students through designated teachers from within the staffing resources of the school. Schools will have discretion to manage and redistribute their teaching support resources in order to best meet the learning needs of their pupils/students, including pupils/students at ‘very high risk’ to COVID-19.
Under the direction of the School Principal the designated teacher should:
- Liaise with the class teacher and special education teacher on relevant curricular content and classwork;
- Access relevant learning resources;Provide the pupil/student with individualised support for his/her learning;
- Increase the pupil/student autonomy, motivation, agency and wellbeing;
- Improve the pupil/student capacity to be become a self-directed learner;
- Support the development of the pupil/student digital competency;
- Avail of the communication/learning platform used by the school to ensure ongoing contact with classmates and class teacher.”
Useful Links
- Roadmap for the Full return to School
- Additional information for Primary Schools
- Additional information for Secondary Schools
- Update to the Roadmap as a result of new ECDC guidance for the school setting.
This update contains information on the change to the guidance on face coverings in secondary schools. - Advice for school staff in the high risk categories
- Information on the Home Tuition Grant Scheme
Please note that if your child is not returning to the school environment this year due to the risk from Covid, it is the responsibility of your school to ensure access to ongoing educational supports. You do not need to apply for the Home Tuition Grant Scheme. You should contact your school to discuss arrangements.
The public health guidance underpinning the Roadmap for the full return to schools came from three documents: