Laura Doel, Director of NAHT Cymru, said: “I understand that Ceredigion LA has asked for any DBS-checked staff to volunteer to support the domiciliary care service.  I am assured by the LA that this is not compulsory and that it is simply to be on hand if the service need demands additional support. The level of support required would be that of a good neighbour, checking in on people and not providing any caring duties. This call has had no bearing on the reopening of schools or has caused any disruption to school operations.

“I have no doubt that if school staff are able to support in a crisis then they will, but this does demonstrate the severity of the situation in parts of Wales. The public sector as a whole is under tremendous pressure and therefore it is vital that mitigation measures in schools are robust enough that the reopening does not result in a huge rise in covid cases. Additional funding for ventilation improvements, a return to staggered session times and class bubbles will of course help, but if the guidance is predicated on changes to the LFT regime, schools must have the supply they need before reopening.  Some schools across Wales still don’t.”