Update on Out-of-School Settings following PM Announcement

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, we wanted to provide you with a short update on step 4 of the roadmap and highlight a change to our advice on group sizes for residential visits.

Update on Step 4

·       Following the PM’s announcement last night, you will be aware that the latest evidence and public health advice mean that it is not possible to move to step 4 on 21 June. It has been announced that Step 4 of the Roadmap will be paused for four weeks, while the vaccination programme is accelerated following a significant risk in the more transmissible Delta variant. A two-week review will take place on 28 June.

·       It is the government’s priority that out-of-school settings can continue to deliver face-to-face, high quality activities/ tuition to all children and young people. Therefore, at a time when further easing of restrictions has been postponed, PHE have advised that out-of-school settings should continue to implement the same system of controls as laid out in Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Update to advice on residential visits

·       Whilst step 4 has been paused with Step 3 restrictions continuing in their current format, we wished to make you aware that an exception has been made regarding the position on group sizes for out-of-school settings’ residential visits, which may be relevant for you or some of the providers you represent. The change is intended to bring out-of-school settings fully into line with the position for school residential visits. 

The new position means that:

·     Until 21 June, out-of-school settings and wraparound childcare providers should undertake overnight stays or residential visits with children in groups of no more than 6 people or 2 households (including at least one member of staff). 

From 21 June, overnight stays can take place with groups of up to 30 children. 

·       The guidance on Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been updated to reflect this. Providers are advised to continue following the system of controls, including keeping children within consistent groups (bubbles) for the purpose of the visits, and to follow the additional measures set out in Annex B in the guidance. 

Anne-Marie Mongan | Policy Adviser | Non-School Education, Activities and Integration Unit Email: anne-marie.mongan@education.gov.ukgov.uk | Twitter | Facebook Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BT