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1537354

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Pupils: Travel
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will provide additional support to students from low-income families to help pay for journeys to and from their (a) school and (b) other place of education in the 2022-23 academic year, in the context of the rise in inflation.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Aaron Bell
	uin	74978
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The Department’s home-to-school transport policy aims to ensure that no child is unable to access education because of a lack of transport. Local authorities must provide free home-to-school transport for children of compulsory school age who attend their nearest school and cannot walk there due to distance, route safety, or as a result of special educational needs, disability or mobility problems. There are additional rights to free transport for low-income families aimed at helping them exercise school choice. These are known as extended rights. Guidance for local authorities on home-to-school transport is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities must also publish a transport policy statement each year that sets out the travel arrangements they consider it necessary to make to support young people of sixth form age to attend post-16 education or training. It is for local authorities to decide on the exact level of post-16 transport support in their area, based on local circumstances and priorities. Some young people may be eligible for support from the 16-19 Bursary Fund. Further information can be accessed here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Most central government funding for home to school transport is provided through the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) administered by the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities. The LGFS made £54.1 billion available to local authorities in the financial year 2022/23, an increase of up to £3.7 billion on 2021/22. This is the largest cash-terms increase in grant funding provided through the settlement in the past 10 years. The Department also provides grant funding to local authorities as a contribution towards the cost of extended rights transport. This amount is £43.3 million in the 2022/23 financial year.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 08/11/2022 14:28:26 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4837 label Biography information for Aaron Bell

1543540

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Carers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has taken recent steps to help support kinship carers.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Aaron Bell
	uin	90897
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2022 answer text <p>The department is supporting the Kinship charity to deliver up to 100 peer-to-peer support groups across England to support kinship carers.</p><p>The recently published Independent Review of Children’s Social Care set out recommendations on how the government can support kinship families. The department is now considering these recommendations. We are working up a comprehensive response to the recommendations in the Review, which will set out how the department intends to support kinship families.</p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Claire Coutinho question first answered 28/11/2022 12:48:27 answering member 4806 label Biography information for Claire Coutinho
	tabling member	4837 label Biography information for Aaron Bell

1225188

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Discrimination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will issue guidance to schools (a) recommending that the six thinking hats technique is not used in schools and (b) noting the potential effect of identifying a black hat on unconscious negative bias relating to the use of the word black.
	tabling member constituency	Erith and Thamesmead
	tabling member printed	Abena Oppong-Asare
	uin	74777
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2020 answer text <p>All state-funded schools in England have a duty to teach a broad and balanced curriculum that prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of later life. Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must also not discriminate against a pupil in a number of respects because of a characteristic protected by the Act.</p><p>The Department trusts teachers to choose curriculum resources that are appropriate for their pupils and to ensure that how they deliver the curriculum does not discriminate. The Department has already published guidance to help schools fulfil their duties under the Act, which can be found at: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools</a>. This includes advice on the Public Sector Equality Duty, which requires public bodies, including state-funded schools, to have due regard to the need to: foster good relations across all protected characteristics; advance equality of opportunity for people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; and eliminate discrimination and other conduct prohibited by the Act. Additionally, the Independent Schools Standards requires independent schools to encourage respect for others, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Act.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 20/07/2020 17:00:49 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4820 label Biography information for Abena Oppong-Asare

1235210

	registered interest
	date	16/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department has published for schools on (a) parents, (b) pupils and (c) teachers with covid-19 symptoms who are unable to access a covid-19 test.
	tabling member constituency	Erith and Thamesmead
	tabling member printed	Abena Oppong-Asare
	uin	91172
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2020 answer text <p>All schools and further education colleges have been sent an initial supply of home testing kits that they can give directly to parents or carers collecting a child who has developed symptoms at school, or staff who have developed symptoms at school. These are for use where an individual is symptomatic and has significant barriers to accessing a test elsewhere, and where providing a test will therefore significantly increase the likelihood of them getting tested.</p><p>Guidance for schools and colleges has been published here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-home-test-kits-for-schools-and-fe-providers/coronavirus-covid-19-home-test-kits-for-schools-and-fe-providers" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-home-test-kits-for-schools-and-fe-providers/coronavirus-covid-19-home-test-kits-for-schools-and-fe-providers</a>.</p><p>When a child, young person or staff member develops one or more of the symptoms of COVID-19 they should be sent home and advised that they must self-isolate in line with the Department’s guidance and encouraged to arrange a test. All staff and students attending an education or childcare setting have access to a test if they display symptoms of COVID-19 and are encouraged to get tested.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 22/09/2020 13:21:13 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
	tabling member	4820 label Biography information for Abena Oppong-Asare

1238230

	registered interest
	date	28/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children's Centres: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he has taken to ensure that no children’s centres are closed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Erith and Thamesmead
	tabling member printed	Abena Oppong-Asare
	uin	96212
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/10/2020 answer text <p>The decision on whether to keep Sure Start children’s centres open in response to the COVID-19 outbreak is a decision for local authorities to take.</p><p>Local authorities have a duty under the Childcare Act (2006) to ensure that there are sufficient children’s centres to meet the needs of local families, and a duty to consult where permanent changes are planned to local children’s centre provision. If a council decides to close a Sure Start children’s centre on a permanent basis, statutory guidance requires them to demonstrate that local children and families will not be adversely affected.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 06/10/2020 15:38:45 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4820 label Biography information for Abena Oppong-Asare

1238231

	registered interest
	date	28/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking with local authorities to ensure that children’s services are not adversely affected due to the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Erith and Thamesmead
	tabling member printed	Abena Oppong-Asare
	uin	96213
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/10/2020 answer text <p>Ensuring that vulnerable children remain protected is a top priority for the government.</p><p>The department has been working closely with local authorities to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, setting up dedicated regional teams that are in frequent contact. Bringing together expertise from across the department, these teams monitor the challenges local authorities are facing. This includes any increases in demand and can provide support and guidance where appropriate.</p><p>We are also monitoring referrals to children’s services via our regional teams and via the Vulnerable Children and Young People survey, which collects data fortnightly from local authorities in England. As well as this, as part of a phased return to routine inspection, Ofsted are making assurance visits to children’s social care providers.</p><p>The government has provided an unprecedented package of support for vulnerable children, including:</p><ul><li>£3.7 billion of additional funding to support local authorities in meeting COVID-19 related pressures, including in children’s services. This funding is un-ringfenced, recognising local authorities are best placed to decide how to meet the major COVID-19 service pressures in their local area.</li><li>£1.6 million of funding for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children to help promote and expand their national UK helpline which provides advice and guidance and support to adults reporting safeguarding concerns.</li><li>The Adoption Support Fund has £8 million to help families under pressure as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.</li><li>The Innovation Programme with more than £12 million for 14 projects tackling increased risk, including from domestic violence and supporting teenagers at risk of exploitation.</li><li>See, Hear, Respond is a £7 million partnership of national children’s charities and local organisations to provide targeted support to vulnerable children, young people and their families who are affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.</li><li>Laptops and tablets for children with social workers and care leavers to help them keep in touch with the services they need, as well as 4G internet devices for connecting to the internet.</li><li>Continuing the Social Work Together programme to match social workers to employers bringing back 8,000 former social workers onto the professional register.</li></ul><p>We have also made temporary legislative changes to help reduce pressure on the system and enable children's services to continue to support vulnerable children during these unprecedented times.</p><p>Our latest guidance on supporting vulnerable children and young people during the COVID-19 outbreak is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 01/10/2020 16:04:54 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4820 label Biography information for Abena Oppong-Asare

1238906

	registered interest
	date	29/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Nurseries: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that safety measures introduced to nurseries re-opening as covid-19 lockdown restrictions were eased are (a) monitored and (b) maintained.
	tabling member constituency	Erith and Thamesmead
	tabling member printed	Abena Oppong-Asare
	uin	97052
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/10/2020 answer text <p>The department has published the ‘Actions for early years and childcare providers during the COVID-19 outbreak' guidance, which is available here:<br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures</a>.</p><p>This guidance is for local authorities and all early years providers in England. For reception, schools should, in the most part, refer to the guidance for schools during the COVID-19 outbreak, although some of the information in the early years guidance is relevant as well. The guidance for schools is available here:<br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/guidance-for-schools-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/guidance-for-schools-coronavirus-covid-19</a>.</p><p>Settings must comply with health and safety law, which requires them to assess risks and put in place proportionate control measures. Settings should thoroughly review their health and safety risk assessment and draw up plans as part of their wider opening. Settings should have active arrangements in place to monitor that the controls are effective, working as planned, and updated appropriately, for example when any issues are identified, or when there are changes in public health advice.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 05/10/2020 16:11:46 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4820 label Biography information for Abena Oppong-Asare

1238907

	registered interest
	date	29/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Nurseries: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of covid-19 risk posed to nursery workers who have returned to work since 1 June 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Erith and Thamesmead
	tabling member printed	Abena Oppong-Asare
	uin	97053
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/10/2020 answer text <p>Keeping children and staff safe is the government’s utmost priority.</p><p>Settings must comply with health and safety law, which requires them to assess risks and put in place proportionate control measures. Public Health England is clear that the risk of transmission and infection is substantially reduced if nurseries and childminders implement the protective measures as set out in the ‘Actions for early years and childcare providers during the COVID-19 outbreak’ guidance. This guidance is available here:<br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures</a>.</p><p>Adults should minimise contact with each other while at work. However, in situations where social distancing between adults in settings is not possible (for example when moving around in corridors and communal areas), settings have the discretion to recommend the use of face coverings for adults on site, both staff and visitors.</p><p>We continue to keep this guidance under review as we learn more about COVID-19.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 05/10/2020 16:20:51 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4820 label Biography information for Abena Oppong-Asare

1238908

	registered interest
	date	29/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Pre-school Education: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that covid-19 home testing kits are readily available in early years settings.
	tabling member constituency	Erith and Thamesmead
	tabling member printed	Abena Oppong-Asare
	uin	97054
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/10/2020 answer text <p>All education and childcare workers currently have prioritised access to testing alongside other essential workers.</p><p>Ensuring access to tests for all education and childcare staff is a key priority for our department and we are currently considering how we can improve all early years settings’ access to testing.</p><p>Further guidance on testing can be found in the ‘Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak’ guidance, which can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures</a>.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 05/10/2020 16:14:41 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4820 label Biography information for Abena Oppong-Asare

1239968

	registered interest
	date	02/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Children: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 1 October 2020 to Question 96213 on Children: Coronavirus, what contact the London regional team has had with the London borough of Bexley on the impact of covid-19 on children's services.
	tabling member constituency	Erith and Thamesmead
	tabling member printed	Abena Oppong-Asare
	uin	98776
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2020 answer text <p>Departmental officials are routinely in touch with local authorities to discuss the progress of their children’s services. We have been in contact with all local authorities in recent months, including the London Borough of Bexley, to understand how they are dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, the impact on children’s services, and how the department can support them during this difficult period.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 07/10/2020 15:55:34 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
	tabling member	4820 label Biography information for Abena Oppong-Asare