NYA COVID-19 Guidance

Managing youth sector activities and spaces during COVID-19

The National Youth Agency (NYA) as the Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body for youth work in England has developed youth sector specific advice and guidance. The guidance will support local providers, leaders, volunteers and young people to remain safe when engaging in youth sector activities. It is intended to guide the youth sector in opening up services for young people at the right pace and time.

This guidance must be used in conjunction with the readiness framework and your existing safeguarding policies and procedures. It is complementary to government guidance on social distancing, travel and other measures which must be adhered to.

The Readiness Level is currently GREEN

All young people will be able to attend indoor or outdoor activities. Youth provision for young people of all ages, both under and over 18 years of age, have the same requirements.

  • All youth provision may meet indoors or outdoors without limitations on group size. The NYA no longer require youth sector providers to operate bubbles or limit group sizes to a maximum number of attendees outside of measures usually in place for safe working practices. However, the NYA requires providers to review their Action Plans and Risk Assessments and take steps to reduce the risk of community transmission. For example, consider how to manage groups of young people to a manageable number to minimise the risk of transmission.

  • Online/digital, detached/outdoor and 1-2-1 youth sector provision will remain available to all young people.

  • Trips and visits are permitted.

  • Travel by minibus, taxi, public transport, or private car (subject to safeguarding) are permitted. The youth sector’s goal at all times should be to minimise the risk of COVID transmission.

  • Overnight and residential experiences are permitted. No group size restrictions apply to the youth sector. The same measures apply to all age groups.

  • Lateral Flow Testing for residentials is highly recommended.

  • For more detail on leading residential and overnight events please see page 15 of the full guidance document below.

  • International travel is permitted in line with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice.

For more information, you can download a copy of the guidnace document ‘Managing youth sector activities and spaces during COVID-19’ here

Stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading

Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

You should only leave the house for very limited purposes:

  • shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible

  • exercise, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household

  • any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

  • travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home

If you can’t get out to the shops please let us know and we will try to help as much as we can, contact lucy@peak-empower.co.uk.

How to stop infection spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus.

Do

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds

  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

  • wash your hands as soon as you get home

  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

  • wear a face covering on public transport and inside shops

Don't

  • do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Northampton Borough Council have further information on their website.

What to do if identified as high risk from coronavirus

NHS England and the Welsh government are contacting people who they have identified as being at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. If this affects you or someone you know, there is specific guidance that you should follow, and extra support available to help you: