This page of the Local Offer website has been created to provide information and helpful resources to support SEND families through the current Covid-19 ( Coronavirus) pandemic.
Portsmouth City Council’s Inclusion service is working hard to ensure children and young people with special educational needs are at the centre of all planning during these challenging times. Please keep checking this page for updates and news.
Most children and young people have now returned to school or college. The government continues to monitor and review the Covid-19 landscape and rates of infection.
If anything changes in the future we will keep you updated through this page. We would like to wish all our children and young people in Portsmouth a happy and safe return to their settings.
We also advise all parents to check their usual channels of communication with their education settings for up to date messages or their setting’s website.
From March 31st children and young people who are extremely clinically vulnerable are able to return to their school or college.
The government have released new guidance for those who are Extremely Clinically Vulnerable. You can read it by clicking here.
Click here to visit Portsmouth City Council’s Covid-19 page which outlines lots of help and support available in the city.
Click here to read the latest Government Guidance - Including information on education and vulnerable children & young people.
Coronavirus Government Guidance
Information and resources to help manage mental health, well being and find support during the Covid-19 pandemic
Well-being and Family Life during Covid-19
Resources, guidance and advice on how your child or young person can be supported as they return to an education setting.
Portsmouth City Council have developed a coronavirus page on their main website. This page contains information for everyone and not just those with SEND. It is updated daily
PCC Covid-19 page
Latest information relating to Education Health and Care Plans and the Covid-19 Pandemic.
EHC Assessments and Plans during the Covid-19 outbreak
Portsmouth SEND Information Advice and Support Service is still open and offering telephone support to parent carers.
Portsmouth SENDIASS website
Portsmouth Parent Voice are still operating through the Corona Virus outbreak. They are working outside of the office but are able to communicate through email and social media. They have a closed Facebook group where you can talk directly to parent carers and PPV staff from home.
PPV Covid-19 page
IPSEA have put together a list of FAQs on the how the COVID-19 measures will affect children and young people with special educational needs (“SEN”). Visit their site for more informtion.
IPSEA coronavirus updatesMy child has an Education Health and Care Plan, what will happen to them during the Corona pandemic?
The Covid-19 EHCP amended laws are no longer in place ( as of 25/09/2020) and the statutory duties on Local Authorities have now reverted back to the pre-pandemic position.
Where can I get information on financial support during the Corona pandemic?
The outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19) is a huge time of financial uncertainty for many families. The government have put in place some emergency measures to support families during these times. This includes the new ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’, a new type of financial support to help employers carry on paying their workers and changes to universal credit amounts.
Portsmouth City Council have a designated page for financial support in relation to coronavirus. Click here to visit the page.
To read the full government guide on support for those affected by coronavirus click here
Contact – an organisation for families with disabled children have also created a family guide on coronavirus & welfare and benefits. Click here to visit their page.
Where can I get further information and support as a parent carer?
Portsmouth Parent Voice have set up a group on Facebook to link in with parents at this difficult time.
You can also check the information on the Portsmouth City Council main website Coronvirus page.
We will soon be adding updates from services who make up the Portsmouth Local Offer so please keep checking back on this page.
Contact – an organisation supporting disabled children and families have created a very informative page for families. You can find out more by clicking here.
Contact the Portsmouth Send Local Offer to gain help, get more information or to leave feedback about the website.
Get in touchTop
