Question reference: S5W-32354
- Date lodged: 7 October 2020
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 20 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason some teachers and school staff who were previously shielding are reportedly being permitted to work outside of a classroom environment in some local authorities while in others they are being required to work in the classroom.
Answer
The guidance which was prepared to support the return to school, includes advice for those who are considered to be clinically vulnerable and extremely clinically vulnerable (shielding). In line with the position on shielding, the guidance indicates that those who were formerly shielding can return to work in schools, and that an individualised risk assessment should be undertaken. The guidance on special considerations for certain groups is available from https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-preparing-start-new-school-term-august-2020-version-3/pages/3/
The decisions on where teachers and school staff who have previously been shielding are deployed are for individual schools and local authorities, in line with their responsibilities as employers, following individualised risk assessment.