Type 1 and Teacher

[JosieMcGreal]

I work in a primary school as a 1 on 1 TA and just before the lockdown I contacted a Dr who told me I should be working from home for 12 weeks which is due to end soon. I contacted my nurse who then contacted my specialist to find out what I should do regarding returning to work and I was told that I could go back! Was very surprised as he said I could work back in a classroom too. But my boss has said I probably won't be in a classroom and will be given a temporary job doing paperwork etc. Found it strange how the Dr initially said yes I need to work from home and my nurse said that too but now I can go back once my note expires which is in a few weeks. I only have Type 1. I'm incredibly nervous though as I've been fully social distancing this whole time, not even been food shopping as my Husband has been doing it. I've only been going out for exercise as advised.

 

[UK T1]

I work in a primary school as a 1 on 1 TA and just before the lockdown I contacted a Dr who told me I should be working from home for 12 weeks which is due to end soon. I contacted my nurse who then contacted my specialist to find out what I should do regarding returning to work and I was told that I could go back! Was very surprised as he said I could work back in a classroom too. But my boss has said I probably won't be in a classroom and will be given a temporary job doing paperwork etc. Found it strange how the Dr initially said yes I need to work from home and my nurse said that too but now I can go back once my note expires which is in a few weeks. I only have Type 1. I'm incredibly nervous though as I've been fully social distancing this whole time, not even been food shopping as my Husband has been doing it. I've only been going out for exercise as advised.

Was this since the new research was released this week? From what I've read lots of GPs are providing shielding letters since the new research has been released, but only if you ask and seemingly depending on profession and so relative risk. I guess the argument being a small office worker is encountering fewer people so less chance of transmission?

My consultant immediately asked what job I have, and when I said I was a teacher he said I should try and talk to my line manager and negotiate working from home and contact him if they didn't accept. This was before the research was released this week, though only a few days before and he said he was suspecting the risk to be higher for type 1, advising me to shield regardless of control etc.

The main point being that if there are any pupils unable to attend school then they will still need work providing, help with work, welfare check ins etc so there are duties you can complete from home.

Your school sound reasonable in offering office based work. I'd still ask for a risk assessment (think about out of the ordinary, fire drill etc) and where possible see if you can complete any of these tasks remotely if you're concerned by the health and safety of your workplace. It doesn't need to be awkward, but if you're concerned about any of their provisions then it might be worth saying.

The way I see it I take forever just to get over a simple cold, and my bloods shoot up even when I get just a simple cold. I like my job and would much rather be well and doing it from home than go in and possibly get ill and be signed off for ages. I know it's only 'possibly', but with cases still high it is quite a high possible.

My understanding is that shielding lasts as long as the government decide? The current advice seems to be end of June, which is the date I assume most letters will also state? But the gov website says it could be extended?

Sorry lots of questions and it is late so a bit rambly, sorry!

 

[JosieMcGreal]

Was this since the new research was released this week? From what I've read lots of GPs are providing shielding letters since the new research has been released, but only if you ask and seemingly depending on profession and so relative risk. I guess the argument being a small office worker is encountering fewer people so less chance of transmission?

My consultant immediately asked what job I have, and when I said I was a teacher he said I should try and talk to my line manager and negotiate working from home and contact him if they didn't accept. This was before the research was released this week, though only a few days before and he said he was suspecting the risk to be higher for type 1, advising me to shield regardless of control etc.

The main point being that if there are any pupils unable to attend school then they will still need work providing, help with work, welfare check ins etc so there are duties you can complete from home.

Your school sound reasonable in offering office based work. I'd still ask for a risk assessment (think about out of the ordinary, fire drill etc) and where possible see if you can complete any of these tasks remotely if you're concerned by the health and safety of your workplace. It doesn't need to be awkward, but if you're concerned about any of their provisions then it might be worth saying.

The way I see it I take forever just to get over a simple cold, and my bloods shoot up even when I get just a simple cold. I like my job and would much rather be well and doing it from home than go in and possibly get ill and be signed off for ages. I know it's only 'possibly', but with cases still high it is quite a high possible.

My understanding is that shielding lasts as long as the government decide? The current advice seems to be end of June, which is the date I assume most letters will also state? But the gov website says it could be extended?

Sorry lots of questions and it is late so a bit rambly, sorry!

Yeah I had asked last week after reading about the new statistics. I was honestly expecting them to say stay at home as when all this shielding stuff came out I never got a letter but when I asked my nurse she said yes I'm in that group of people. My specialist said there's not enough advice to go by and I can be in a classroom but advises I wear a mask etc but my boss has said I probably won't be in a classroom based on what the specialist has said. Luckily my boss is very understanding and is making these extra jobs for people to do so they aren't exposed. I think he's also doing risk assessments for those people. I didn't know if I should contact my GP and ask for their advice. It's a tricky one. But usually I would be in a classroom being a 1 on 1 so there's no way really I could do that whilst keeping my distance. I've only been diagnosed for just over a year (it was a year on Saturday to be exact) but since my diagnosis I have had sinusitis so many times since December and can't get rid of it! I guess I'll just have to be super careful when I'm at work. I think I'm due to find out today what days I'm in anyway.

 

[UK T1]

Happy diaversary! Perhaps see how the first day pans out then contact your GP. The situation is constantly changing so I hope your boss remains understanding. Sorry to hear about the sinusitis, not sure if this is worth mentioning to your GP or diabetes team? Oh and have a relaxing half term all!

 

[JosieMcGreal]

Happy diaversary! Perhaps see how the first day pans out then contact your GP. The situation is constantly changing so I hope your boss remains understanding. Sorry to hear about the sinusitis, not sure if this is worth mentioning to your GP or diabetes team? Oh and have a relaxing half term all!

Thank you! 1 whole year! And yeah I'm just gonna see how it goes really. And regarding the sinusitis I've had 2 lots of antibiotics but it just keeps coming and going. Very annoying! But my boss seems very understanding as there are a few others needing to social distance with asthma etc. We'll see if anything changes this next few days.

 

[hodders]

Hi folks.
I work in an inner city primary school. We have an inset for staff on Monday then our yr6 return from June 2nd.
All teachers have been placed in a bubble with no more than 15 children and a TA.
On our protocol-as I am in the vulnerable group. It advised that whenever possible you should work from home. But if I chose to take the risk and come into school then other 'jobs' would be found.
So I now find myself decorating with one other person our old caretakers house which will become a community hub.
Covering the older chn at lunch breaks outside and picking up any surplus office admin.
All my choice, all with the appropriate risk assessment. And yes it would have been OK for me to stay at home if I chose.
I just need to do my bit, though my decorating skills aren't the best.
We are all different.
But all the guidance and protocol has been spot on from our school.
Good luck.

 

[London36_]

... anyone got any guesses as to what will happen in September? Shielding over? But ‘MUST work from home if you can’. Can we?

 

[KK123]

... anyone got any guesses as to what will happen in September? Shielding over? But ‘MUST work from home if you can’. Can we?

Hi London, I wish! None of us really know what's happening on Monday never mind September! x

 

[UK T1]

I would maybe predict localised shielding to be reintroduced for certain professions perhaps? My updated shielding letter repeatedly says they're pausing the scheme not stopping it. I suspect the food boxes will stop but never signed up for them anyway so don't know. As always it was advice. They're putting you at the mercy of the employer. Making the employers fund it all with 'existing resources' so I assume that means if you feel you need PPE you'll have to pay for it given the lack of funding for other essential items in schools over the past 10 years... I do feel for heads and leadership as the government have effectively made the bare minimum legal requirements while stating they won't fund anything. The legal obligation for anyone working in schools (let's face it, we all work well beyond our contract and pay as we're all compassionate souls!) is going to directly clash with most morals and common sense, so I really do feel for leadership and the decisions they face. Government well and truly passed the buck here...

 

[London36_]

Hope you all had a good summer. What are your schools doing now? Anyone had an individual risk assessment? I’m so anxious about going back.

 

[hodders]

Hi
We return to school next week. Us with inset on Tuesday then all kids on the Wednesday. I work in Nottingham.
I have done with my head 3 risk assessments thus far.
I am happy with the measures put in place for us all to return.
Stay strong.
We can do this.

 

[London36_]

Hi
We return to school next week. Us with inset on Tuesday then all kids on the Wednesday. I work in Nottingham.
I have done with my head 3 risk assessments thus far.
I am happy with the measures put in place for us all to return.
Stay strong.
We can do this.

Thank you! Really good to know what is happening elsewhere. My union NEU say online that if a teacher was clinically extremely vulnerable they should be offered opportunity to work from home from September. (I was shielding before due to type 1 and other auto immune conditions.)

I’ve just had a general risk assessment that the whole staff get but not spoken to anyone or had individual risk assessment. I can’t imagine how safe / unsafe it will be from just reading it although reassuring that the teachers will wipe each teacher desk before moving to next room.)

I’m secondary, so will be moving around the school for x8 periods/rooms (teaching up to 240 different teenagers a day) will try to stay strong (and cool under my mask and visor )

 

[hodders]

Hi again.
I would hope that even though you are in a secondary school, that measures will have been put in place to minimise pupil/adult contact. I job share with someone in the extremely vulnerable group and our school have gone out of their way to minimise contact. We do teach children from 3 different year groups and they will now be our bubble.
I would imagine that all school protocol is similar. Maybe just have a chat with your head or line manager to discuss questions you have.
Good luck

 

[UK T1]

Hi again, I hope you've all had relaxing breaks! I too have been told I will have an individual risk assessment ahead of a return to work but haven't received it just yet. Could someone give examples of reasonable adjustments which have been suggested for teachers returning to work from shielding? Also secondary but any examples could be useful as they might not have been thought of so far. Thanks!

 

[London36_]

Hi again, I hope you've all had relaxing breaks! I too have been told I will have an individual risk assessment ahead of a return to work but haven't received it just yet. Could someone give examples of reasonable adjustments which have been suggested for teachers returning to work from shielding? Also secondary but any examples could be useful as they might not have been thought of so far. Thanks!

Hello! I’d also love any info on this incase my school end up doing this. Please keep us updated with your individual RA too if you have any tips.

NEU say that if you are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (I think this is of you were previously shielding with letter?) that your school should offer you work from home from September -if you wish - as a reasonable adjustment. DFE says it’s safe for the more vulnerable in schools but joint unions disagree.

https://neu.org.uk/advice/coronavirus-medically-vulnerable-and-higher-risk-groups

Diabetes UK have some info but not teacher specific:

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...gemakers/Employment+Update+-+14th+August#risk

If you go in and choose to wear visor and/or mask, it might need to be a reasonable adjustment if your school policy doesn’t allow teachers to wear masks in class. (My friend’s school does this!) You could also ask for visors to be provided if you wanted.

With student bubbles in many schools, teachers have to move each period across huge sites. Hiking up stairs with class sets of books might result in hypos especially if you are doing this x16 times a day as in my case. I’m worried about touching mask/visor to eat/drink for hypos/trying to avoid them (as well as hypos themselves) so thought maybe I could ask for help here. Not sure what specific help yet though.

Good luck all

 

[SarahGJ]

Back in school and I’m so anxious about it! Also in secondary and moving around over a huge site just like you, just cleaning desks between lessons. Impossible to socially distance on corridors, and in a classroom of up to 5 x 30 different students, including sixth formers who are in the age group on the rise with covid right now. Not sure how to deal with hypos as usually have teachers nearby who know me and can help. Definitely think we should have our own risk assessment! Finding the whole return to school incredibly stressful. I hope you are having a better time!

 

[Bex72]

My daughter's secondary school have stated that whilst children are generally allowed to remove face coverings when in class, this is down to the individual teacher and some teachers may request pupils to wear face coverings in class.

I was pleased to read this as it showed that the safety of individual teachers is being considered.

The school are also insistent tgat face coverings are wirn whilst students move around the school.

Take care xx

 

[Fairygodmother]

My older daughter’s school, in Kent, have been back since Tuesday and already one year group has a pupil who’s tested positive so the whole year group will be isolating; another year group may also have a positive case but communication between the Head and the rest of the Staff is very poor: we won’t be seeing our daughter for some time now, it’s too risky for her aged parents.
Up in the East Midlands there were six children missing from our younger grandson’s class yesterday, cause unknown.
Dido’s test and trace, mmmm, will it be up to it? It’s not long to go before Universities return, and despite decisions to deliver online many students have already paid for their accommodation and are missing their friends.
I’ve put this article on a couple of other threads, but I’ll put it here as well in case it helps anyone who needs a bit more material to persuade the relevant people that they need PPE, or to work from home.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/08/...mune-system.html?referringSource=articleShare