Guidance for children's social care - Coronavirus

See the latest guidance, updates and any changes to services for children’s social care due to Covid-19:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance

For PPE guidance, check our guidance for adult care providers page.

Safeguarding concerns

If you need support with reporting concerns for a child’s welfare, or you need advice about how to make an appropriate referral, please contact Early Help Support or the MASH.

Support for providers

Providers receive weekly updates from the Quality and Outcomes Team. If you have any issues, please email the team at cfecommissioning_Q&O@northamptonshire.gov.uk

Direct Payments

Direct Payment updates

Non-Residential Short Breaks

Short breaks support children and young people who are disabled and/or who have Special Educational Needs. These services are being cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Telephone support is available. For more information:

Email: NorthantsDisability@actionforchildren.org.uk
Telephone: 07841 730031

Sleep Service

The Sleep Service has cancelled all clinics and introductory sessions but is continuing the service through telephone contact sessions. This service, provided by Scope, works with families and practitioners to identify and address sleep disorders for children and young people (aged 2-19) and their families.

Further details are available on the Local Offer.

Email: karen.smith@scope.org.uk
Telephone: 07875 575377

Residential Short Breaks

John Greenwood Shipman House and Squirrels are continuing to offer residential short breaks services for those children who are not in isolation. This specialist service provides a structured environment and nursing care and is accessed only via a social work assessment and sometimes a Continuing Health Care Assessment.

Family support through agency care or Direct Payments can be arranged by the Disabled Children’s team for children known to the team. For further information contact your Social Worker in the Disabled Children’s Team directly.

Northamptonshire Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Service

Northamptonshire Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Service (NISHH) Support for Vulnerable Individuals and Communities during COVID-19 remains open.

They have reduced their face to face appointments to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection but they will be able to triage and consult by phone and, where needed, see urgent, priority or vulnerable clients in person. See the NISHH website for service updates.