10.
Councillor Feaver sought clarification on a number of points with regards to schools:
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the use of hand dryers instead of paper towels in schools; |
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the procedures in respect of hand sanitising for children travelling to school on school transport and those children who do not use transport; and |
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the lack of soap and working dispensers in some schools. |
In response the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) said she did not have the information at hand regarding the change in guidance on the use of hand towels and hand dryers but would provide further information following the meeting.
With regards to children who use school transport, following discussions with the bus companies, a risk assessment was completed and it was deemed a slip hazard to provide hand sanitiser for use on the buses so children are advised to wash their hands or sanitise them prior to getting on the bus. She further clarified that once children reach school, all children, regardless of how they got to school are asked to sanitise their hands on entering the school building.
In respect of the question regarding a shortage of soap, the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) advised Councillor Feaver that this should be discussed with the relevant Quality Improvement Manager within Education.
Councillor Alexander sought clarification on the procedure for Covid-19 testing in schools following the case in Lossiemouth where a pupil had received a positive test result and then on re-test the result was negative and no announcements in the press until the Council is sure what the result is.
In response the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) confirmed that the testing in schools is the same as testing elsewhere. If a pupil or member of staff is symptomatic then they should arrange a test through the public health arrangements. There is not a separate procedure for testing in schools. What happens thereafter is in accordance with the public health guidance and any publicity is driven by public health and not the Council. She further clairified that this is what happened with the case in Lossiemouth.
Councillor Morrison sought an update on how the Scottish Welfare Fund and Food Fund has been used and will it be reported as a regular item to this Committee.
In response the Head of Governance, Strategy and Performance said his understanding was that the Scottish Welfare Fund had not received a massive call on it over the summer and he felt that this was probably due to the availability of the food fund. The Food Fund has been used primarily in recent months to provide cash payments to families who have found themselves in food poverty.
The demand on the fund was overestimated and the Council have not been able to use the full allocation from the Scottish Government. The allocation runs out at the end of September and he had today, written to the Scottish Government to ask if they have any plans to extend the funding given that a numbert of families and business people’s lives will still be in doubt given the end of the furlough scheme at the end of October and the continuing restrictions.
Councillor Creswell highlighted the issue of adult literacies and the resulting lack of uptake in seeking help from the likes of the Food Fund etc and sought clarification on where literacy help can be obtained.
In response, the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) confirmed that the Council are aware that there are a number of people who are unable to make contact in the new world we are currently operating in and arrangements have been put in place for language as well as literacy. The Council’s language service have been used to assist people where English is not their first language to enable them to access the free school meals vouchers. Staff have also supported clients on the telephone and taken them through processes that way where the clients are not able to use digital devices or literacy is an issue.
The Depute Chief Executive urged people to contact the Council’s advice services to ensure that support can be provided.
Councillor Creswell further sought clarification on who to refer clients too as this would be useful information.
In response the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) confirmed that referrals would go through the normal routes and additional support will be provided.
The Secondary Teacher Representative sought clarification on whether there would be a staffing update at the end of the meeting.
In response the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) confirmed that a update would be circulated after the end of the meeting if there was a requirement to do so.
The Secondary Teacher Representative further asked whether an update could be provided on the impact of applications to Head Teacher posts as a result of the Into Headship Course not currently being available.
In response the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) confirmed that the Services are currently looking into this issue and identifying any temporary arrangements that can be put in place and this can be included in the staffing update.