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Guidance

Use of PPE in education, childcare and children’s social care

When to use PPE, including for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), in education, childcare and children’s social care settings for COVID-19.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education
Published:
14 May 2020
Last updated:
20 July 2021
Show all updates

  1. Removed Step 3 guidance and updated Step 4 guidance to remove (applies from Step 4) from the title.

  2. Reformatted into HTML and clarified sub-headings and structure. We have also updated our guidance on transporting children, following confirmation that from 19 July, the Government is removing the requirement to wear face coverings in law but expects and recommends that they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces where you may come into contact with people you don't normally meet. This includes public transport and dedicated transport to school or college.

  3. Added 'The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, including for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)' for use in Step 4. We have removed sector information on the controls measures and included information on the use of personal protective equipment, including for aerosol generating procedures.

  4. Updated to include changes to the system of controls in line with other guidance. Some formatting changes to headings have also been applied.

  5. Updated guidance on PPE supply. Added guidance about residential settings, including information about visits from social care workers and visitors.

  6. Updated 'What specific steps should be taken to care for children with complex medical needs, such as tracheostomies?' to include guidance on aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) in education and children’s social care settings.

  7. Updated information about how to report confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the section on engaging with the NHS test and trace process.

  8. Updated to include new guidance on the test and trace process, social care visits, shielding, staff who have been in close contact with a positive case and the use of face coverings.

  9. Updated guidance to clarify advice on the system of controls measures including PPE and the NHS test and trace process.

  10. Updated guidance to clarify PPE advice and changes in access to testing.

  11. First published.

This publication was withdrawn on

Guidance on health protection in education and childcare settings which includes information on managing cases of infectious diseases in schools and other childcare settings is available.

Applies to England

Documents

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, including for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)

HTML

Details

This is for all staff in:

  • children’s homes, including secure children’s homes
  • residential special schools or colleges
  • fostering services
  • visits to family homes
  • alternative provision
  • early years and childcare settings
  • schools, including special schools
  • 16 to 19 academies
  • further education (FE) settings including general FE education colleges, sixth-form colleges and other providers

‘Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)’ includes advice on:

  • minimising contact
  • changes of work practices
  • hand and respiratory hygiene
  • increased cleaning of the environment
  • limiting movement
  • when you might need to use PPE

‘The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, including for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)’ includes advice on:

  • when to wear PPE
  • how to access PPE
  • guidance on aerosol generating procedures

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