New advice from Hampshire County Council on sending unwell children to school

Hampshire County Council have issued new guidance to help parents and carers decide whether to send their child to school or nursery if they're feeling unwell.

Produced in collaboration with the NHS and local authority partners, the resource information that will help someone identify a possible health condition from a range of symptoms and whether the child should remain at home.

Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Roz Chadd, said: “It is always a worry when a child becomes unwell, but it is not always obvious how to care for them and whether you should keep them at home.

“Parents and carers can now check to identify a possible condition which, in turn, will help them decide whether it is safe and appropriate to send their child to school or nursery.”

The new guidance lists a range of common childhood illnesses and conditions from conjunctivitis to head lice, as well as symptoms such as a high temperature and a sore throat and what these might mean.

It includes details about actions to take and when a child should return to education after being treated.

Councillor Chadd added: “This online resource is a great place to start when a child first displays symptoms. I would encourage parents and carers to bookmark the website, so it is easy to find if ever their child becomes unwell.”

The information provided on the Should your child go to school/nursery today? web page is a general guide and has been checked by health professionals.

However, if someone is unsure about a child’s wellbeing they should contact their GP, call the NHS helpline on 111 or visit their nearest pharmacy.

If a child has one or more of the following common coronavirus symptoms: high temperature, new continuous cough or loss of taste/smell; keep them at home, away from social contact and arrange a PCR test.

Parent/carers can find the health guide here.