In today's COVID-19 update from Cardiff Council: innovative Distance Learning training for Cardiff's teachers; advice and support to residents who are homeless or threatened with homelessness; our Looked After Children in Education (LACE) team; and working together to support young carers.

Innovative Distance Learning training for Cardiff's teachers

Innovative training has been developed to assist Cardiff's teachers in continuing to provide education and learning to children and young people during school closures, caused by COVID-19.

The partnership project between the Council and The Open University is the first of its kind in Wales and will provide support, advice and training to teachers on ways to implement distance learning.

Delivered via an online seminar, a series of areas will be covered which aim to assist teachers in providing ways to approach and deliver best learning outcomes for both primary and secondary age pupils, whilst schools remain closed.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "This is a unique and challenging time for everyone, particularly our children and young people whose lives have changed drastically following the closure of schools.

"With disruption to routine and the decrease of social interaction with friends, it is even more important that they continue to be provided with education and learning opportunities wherever possible.

"This latest forward thinking initiative, will aim to provide a platform so that the city's teachers can access the resources and knowledge required, to enable them to continue to teach during the current health crisis."

The Open University is a partner of The Cardiff Commitment, Cardiff Council's initiative to bring the public and private sectors together, working in partnership to connect young people to the range of opportunities available in the world of work.

You can read the full story here:

https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/23737.html

The Housing Options Team continue to give advice and support to Cardiff residents who are homeless or are threatened with homelessness

The Housing Options team have been working hard from home and from the office over the last few weeks to keep people safe and in their homes by preventing evictions and providing emergency accommodation to those in most need. They have also been finding innovative ways to assist people into securing new homes while maintaining social distancing.

The team are continuing assessments and giving advice via telephone and email with some limited appointments. Virtual viewings of properties has been introduced and they are working even closer with partners to provide moving home services and furniture packages. These are just some of the ways that have allowed the continued offering of accommodation, all to help those who are most in need.

In the last three weeks the team has:

• Handled over 1600 calls offering advice and guidance
• Completed over 200 Homelessness telephone Assessments
• Placed over 200 people into accommodation with 63 of those accessing Homeless provisions for the first time

If you or someone you know is threatened with homelessness you can contact the Housing Options Team on:

02920 570750

Housingoptionscentre@cardiff.gov.uk

Looked After Children in Education

Our Looked After Children in Education (LACE) team have been working hard to ensure that schools in other local authorities with Looked after Children can continue to access support and advice.  With supporting from Closing the Gap Officers the team have contacted over 250 education providers across 29 Local Authorities in Wales and England so that contact is maintained with families and schools. 

School contact with carers and pupils has been vital in recent weeks and the team have continued to check on pupils' wellbeing and their ability to access and complete school activities during school closures.

Working together has ensured care continues to be delivered to our Looked after Children.

Working together to support young carers

Social Services and YMCA Cardiff are working collaboratively to successfully support young carers during the crisis and providing creative online services for young people to get involved in at home.

YMCA Cardiff and the Vale have developed WhatsApp group chats for young people to stay connected and are posting daily updates and activities to engage them at home, including live video chats, workshops and educational videos, as well as information about other support services. Everyday there is a new theme, such as ‘Munchies Monday', ‘Talking Tuesday', ‘Wellbeing Wednesday', ‘Thinking Thursday' and ‘Fun Fridays'.

The teams are also doing weekly welfare checks on the families and keeping in regular contact through email, text, and telephone. They have also organised Food Bank deliveries and partnered with the Llanishen and Thornhill Community Group to access support for the delivery of medication. 

Work continues to increase access for young carers, including YCMA Cardiff conducting young carer's statutory assessments via telephone to bolster resource in this area and prevent a back log of referrals for Social Services.