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<p>I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 January 2021 to <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-01-11/136013"
target="_blank">136013</a>.</p><p>Guidance is available: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision</a>.
The overall definition of vulnerable children has been in place since March 2020.
It includes children who are assessed as being in need under section 17 of the Children
Act 1989, children who have an education, health and care plan (EHCP) and children
who have been identified by the school or local authority as otherwise vulnerable
for any other reason. Therefore, since the outset, guidance has been clear that schools
and local authorities have had full flexibility to allow children to attend school
based on their assessment of the child’s needs.</p><p>A number of examples of the
factors that schools may wish to consider under this third category of vulnerability
(otherwise vulnerable category) have been provided throughout the outbreak. This is
not an exhaustive or definitive list and the guidance states that these categories
are given as examples that schools might wish to factor in when identifying otherwise
vulnerable children. Schools should interpret this in light of the wide range of information
they have available to them, such as the needs of the child and their family.</p><p>One
specific example within this list includes the term “those who may have difficulty
engaging with remote education at home (for example due to a lack of devices or quiet
space to study)”. This was first cited in published guidance on 28 Aug 2020 to include
reference to the fact that children having difficult engaging in remote education
might be a factor that schools may wish to consider when identifying children who
may be vulnerable.</p><p> </p>
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