Pandemic/Contagious illness Response Policy

Working with schools to safeguard the students under our care during pandemic situations or where there is an outbreak of a contagious disease.

Bright World Guardianships will work with our partner schools to ensure that students are safe and well-cared in the case of a pandemic.
We follow guidance from, AEGIS, the UKHSE and the Department for Education.

If a Bright World student presents with symptoms during a pandemic.

Whilst at school during term time

If a school has a situation whereby they cannot provide facilities to isolate a student and offer them care then Bright World will help. If our partner school asks for our help, we will endeavour to assist in finding a host family for the isolation period. This host family would need to be willing to take in a contagious student and have been subject to a full Risk Assessment by Bright World. We have a good network of host families willing to take in contagious students.

Accommodation during holiday times and should schools close

In the unlikely event that schools were to close again or travel was prohibited due to Covid or other pandemic during longer holidays, Bright World would continue to support schools and students by providing host family and residential accommodation for students.

In the event of a prolonged school closure:

Bright World’s policy is that, in the event of a prolonged school closure, healthy students must ultimately aim to either:

a) return home
b) be looked after by their parents
c) be looked after by another responsible adult (family friend/relative 25 years+)

Bright World will facilitate the school closure and the student’s forward planning by providing host family accommodation for healthy students, while they make their alternative arrangements. Should alternative arrangements not be possible then Bright World will continue to care for the student provided sufficient funds are provided to pay for host family or residential accommodation.

Bright World’s risk assessment

If we agree to remove a student then Bright World will commence their removal and isolation process. It is important that this process is followed. There is no insurance available for Guardianship Organisations against loss or damage caused to students, drivers, Local Coordinators and host families by Covid-19 or other contagious illnesses. It is therefore vital that Bright World conducts its own risk assessment if removing a student who is contagious into a host family. The process is as follows:

1. Seek and obtain parental permission for the removal of their child into a host family. We need this in writing.
2. Ensure that the parent understands the costs associated with the removal and tops up their expenses fund if insufficient funds are held.
3. Send and receive a satisfactory Emergency Removal Form.
4. Source a risk assessed Bright World host family for the duration of the isolation period. This family may be further away from the school due to lack of availability of risk-assessed host families.
5. Arrange transport to the host family either via the school or using a Bright World taxi company.

Students who are feeling worried or need extra support can contact their Bright World Buddy. Any student who does not know how to contact their Buddy can call the Bright World Office (01273 835745) or Out of Hours Line (01273 836060).