DfE revised face covering guidance - AoC responds

In response to Department for Education revising its guidance on face coverings, Association of Colleges Deputy CEO Julian Gravatt said: “The safety of staff and students is a top priority of every college. Observing WHO advice on the use of face masks in communal areas makes sense, especially if it means that more in person learning can safely take place. Many colleges had already put these arrangements in place but as ever we advise leaders to make decisions based on what is right in their individual contexts. Colleges are already having to pick up significant additional costs in order to support the return to in person learning in September. As government is calling for every college to now also have a supply of masks available for staff and students, we would urge them to provide colleges with financial support, as they have done for schools, which recognises the exceptional costs of cleaning and PPE.“ Irwin Mitchell who deliver our AoC Employment Service has provided advice, which also covers the college’s responsibility as an employer to provide PPE and face coverings. Remember that any queries regarding your workforce can be referred to our employment helpline: aocemployment@irwinmitchell.com