Published Thursday 30 April 2020 at 17:00
Tonight, as the nation prepares to clap for our carers again, education and social care leaders across Lancashire are sending a direct message to all teaching staff, children’s social workers, care workers and other support staff working on the frontline in the county.
The lead representatives for education and social care across Lancashire want to say ‘thank you’ to every one of the county’s teachers, social workers, support staff, and other care workers who are all going the extra mile and doing everything they possibly can to keep children, families, and vulnerable adults safe during these challenging times.
Thousands of our education staff, our social workers and care staff are responding with courage and determination to keep critical services going for those who need it now more than ever.
Their roles mean that it is vital they stay in direct contact with the children, families and adults that they are supporting. They do this despite being as worried and scared as the rest of the frontline workforce.
Each day social workers and care staff are going out across the county, knocking on doors, going into homes and checking in with residents and children to keep them safe and providing personal care to many of the most vulnerable in our community.
Education staff are keeping schools and nurseries open for vulnerable children and children and young people with keyworker parents.
Education and social work teams are working together to ensure vulnerable children are able to attend school and continue to receive the right support.
Adrian Phillips, Chair of the Lancashire Resilience Forum’s Education group, said:
Tonight we’re clapping for everyone involved in this herculean effort to keep the children, young people and adults of this county well and safe. From nurseries to schools, college and university staff, everyone is playing their part.
Social care and the work of education providers is often missed out in the media and I want to make clear my thanks to the social and education care heroes in our county.
County Councillor Philippa Williamson, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for children, young people, and schools, said:
I’d like to personally applaud every key worker, including our amazing teaching and support staff across the county, who are going above and beyond every day keeping children and young people safe.
They are providing essential support in keeping our schools and nurseries open for our valuable children, and also those of key workers.
This support is actually vital as it means that our key workers can carry on doing their jobs each day, knowing that their children are safe.
Thank you. I’ll be clapping for you.
Jayne Ivory, Director of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Children’s Services, said:
There are still thousands of children and families right across the county who need help, support and protection
She added:
Without this vital work and joined-up approach, our children and their families would be left without that essential support they desperately need. We clap for each and every member of our critical, frontline key workers who are going above and beyond what anyone could expect from them.
Our thanks also go to our children and young people, we’re proud of each and every one of them. We want you to know that we’re clapping and cheering for each and every one of you.
Cllr Kath Benson, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Schools, Education and Aspiration, said:
We must, of course, also give thanks to the children and young people who, despite the uncertainty and disruption, have shown great adaptability and resilience.
In the face of unprecedented changes, the response of key workers has been remarkable – they continue to exceed expectations, no matter what challenges each new day brings. We’re clapping for you too here in Blackpool.