Preparation

Planning for a ‘Flu Pandemic’

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Pandemic Flu Background

• the potential impact of a pandemic, this could lead to 25-50% of the population being infected

• It is considered inevitable that there will be a pandemic,

• no-one knows when it may be, nor how serious it would be

• Government guidance sets out the reasons when schools may/might close to students during a pandemic

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Pandemic Flu Background Cont

• in the event of schools being closed to students, staff would still be expected to report for work,

• As such closures could seriously affect children’s education, government guidance cites local authorities’ legal duty to provide education

• Schools and local authorities must take steps now to develop a contingency plan for such an eventuality

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Business Contingency Lead

• Identify who will be the lead in your school

– It is important to identify someone who will take responsibility in preparing your contingency plan together with Essex County Council

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Next Steps

• A suitable person must be identified as the ‘Flu Pandemic Business Contingency lead’

• Essex County Council will contact each school asking for the named person, they will then email the schools representative detailing the actions they will have to take.

• Essex County Council will provide a Flu Pandemic Business Contingency Template to assist Schools in preparing their plan.

• Each school will own their Business Contingency plan.

• Essex County Council will collate and monitor individual school plans to enable consistency of approach, completeness within Essex and feedback to individuals across the sector.

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Time Frame

Mar - Apr Initial Engagement with Head Teacher Meetings and Conferences

30th March Template plan produced by Essex County CouncilMar - Apr All Schools submit Pan Flu Lead to ECC17th May Template Plan made available to Pan Flu LeadsMay – 20th June

Schools produce Plan

Essex County Council make available Information leaflets for Parents/Carer students

23rd June Plan Complete & sent back to ECC by schools Head Teacher

July Dip Sample of Plans by External Audit

End July Review of Audit made available to schools

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Further Advice

• Further Advice can be found at the following links

– http://esi.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/si/esi/content/binaries/documents/Advice_and_Guidance/Emergency_planning_and_response_in_schools_Sep08_2.doc

– http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/emergencies/planning/flupandemic/

– http://www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk/emergency/health.shtm