The current status with the Novel Coronavirus is that the spread of infection is hard to predict, but likely to take place in the UK. Therefore, this policy is implemented on a short-term basis and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. 

The gov.uk website describes the Coronavirus as follows:

“A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of Coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.”

Among those who become infected, some will exhibit no symptoms. 

Early data suggest that of those who develop an illness, the great majority will have a mild-to-moderate, but self-limiting illness – similar to seasonal flu. For the majority of people, the condition is not life threatening or life limiting. 

It is, however, also clear that a minority of people who get Novel Coronavirus will develop complications severe enough to require hospital care, most often pneumonia. In a small proportion of these, the illness may be severe enough to lead to death.

So far, the data held by the UK Government suggests that the risk of severe disease and death increases among elderly people and in people with underlying health risk conditions (in the same way as for seasonal flu).

Illness is less common and usually less severe in younger adults. Children can be infected and can have a severe illness but based on current UK Government data overall illness seems rarer in people under 20 years of age.

So far, there has been no obvious sign that pregnant women are more likely to be seriously affected. 

Current UK Government information suggests that older people and people with severe chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, are at higher risk of developing more serious illness from Novel Coronavirus.

a. We ask that all people entering the centre wear a mask. They must wear a mask until they reach their space/room that they are allocated. If a person is exempt then obviously they are still exempt.

b. This child contact centre will provide alcohol hand gel at the main reception area to be offered to all using the service. Staff and Volunteers will be expected to wash their hands with soapy water or hand gel regularly. 

c. We have a ready supply of tissues available onsite and recommend that these be disposed of into a rubbish bin once used. 

d. We will also ensure that bathrooms have an adequate supply of washing facilities, including soap, warm water and an appropriate method of hand drying. 

e. All hard surfaces that come into contact with hands (regularly) will be cleaned with warm soapy water each time the centre is opened. Such surfaces will include the following, as a minimum:

• Door handles. 
  
• Doorbells / intercoms. 
  
• Handrails, Banisters and Stairgates. 
  
• Taps, Toilet Roll Holders / Dispensers and Paper Towel Dispensers. 
  
• Work Tops, Serving Hatches, Tables and Chairs. 

When cleaning, it is a good idea to consider wearing rubber gloves and for these the be thrown away into the general refuse after use. 

When cleaning hands or other surfaces, warm soapy water or alcohol gels are currently considered to be sufficient. Anti-Bacterial cleaners might be less effective as a result of Novel Coronavirus being a virus and not a bacterium. 

Centres, staff and volunteers are not there to diagnose Novel Coronavirus, this is the role of medical professionals. Whilst it is a good idea to be aware of common symptoms, we should avoid reaching conclusions about people’s health or likelihood of ongoing infection. 

Where it is suspected that a person has Novel Coronavirus or other illness, but this is not diagnosed. It is recommended that this person (regardless of parent, child, staff or volunteer) is asked to stay away from the centre for at least the recommended isolation period, which is currently set to 14 days. In this situation it is also suggested that a recommendation should be made for the person to report any concerns to NHS 111 so that appropriate health care can be provided. 

Where a diagnosis has been made medical professionals will have given appropriate health advice, which will include either self-isolation or hospitalisation. It is recommended that this person (regardless of parent, child, staff or volunteer) is asked to stay away from the centre for at least the recommended isolation period, which is currently set to 14 days. In this situation it is also suggested that a recommendation should be made for the person to report any concerns to NHS 111 so that appropriate health care can be provided.

In the case where a diagnosis has been made and there is the possibility that a person attended the centre whilst infectious, regardless of whether they were showing symptoms it is advised that no further service is provided to any family until advice has been obtained from Public Health England, using the following details:

Public information access office

Public Health England

Wellington House

133-155 Waterloo Road

London

SE1 8UG

United Kingdom

020 7654 8000

When contacting Public Health England, it is important to ensure that they understand the nature of business undertaken at the centre and the numbers of high-risk people using or working at the service. Information should also be requested about when the service should become operational again and what steps should be taken prior to this. Furthermore, information about any necessary steps to clean the premises should be obtained. 

It is also important to make contact with the National Association of Child Contact Centres to share any concerns you might have with us directly. This can be done by calling 0115 948 4557 during office hours, or by calling the NACCC Safeguarding Service outside of these hours. The number for the NACCC Safeguarding Service is 07540 703 577. Once this information has been verbally shared you will be asked to complete a NACCC Safeguarding Form, Appendix A so that a written record can be maintained. 

The original version of the policy was written by the National Association of Child Contact Centres on behalf of its members. This policy has been reviewed by the management committee of this child contact centre prior to being implemented and therefore is appropriate to the running of this child contact centre. 

Date of Implementation. 

October 2020

Date to be Reviewed. 

October 2021 (or earlier if the current situation changes)

Implemented by the Management Committee of Wigan Child Contact Centre. 

a) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

b) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html

c) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan/coronavirus-action-plan-a-guide-to-what-you-can-expect-across-the-uk

d) https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

e) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/