Care workers among 'key workers' whose children can stay in school during coronavirus pandemic

Adult social care sector workers have been included in the government’s ‘keyworker list’ effectively allowing their children to stay in school so that they can keep caring for people during the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has published the official keyworker list which includes care workers, doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, and other frontline health and social care staff.

This also includes volunteers and 'the support and specialist staff required to maintain the UK’s health and social care sector'.

The government has said ‘those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and distributers of medicines and medical and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)' are among the key workers.

‘Right and proper’

The news has been welcomed by the care sector.

Care England, which represents independent care homes, tweeted: ‘Right and proper that social care workers are included in the critical keyworker list. Social care is fundamental to tackling coronavirus.’

Vic Rayner, chief executive of the National Care Forum, tweeted: “Good to see the #keyworker list released and vital #care staff recognised on the list for their vital role in supporting fight against #covid19UK".

Colin Angel, policy director & spokesman at United Kingdom Homecare Association, tweeted: “Definition for #SocialCare keyworkers whose children can attend school during #Covid19uk is very welcome. Not just careworkers, but ppl who are essential to keep system working; eg: managers, coordinators, payroll staff, etc, if unable to work from home”.

The government’s official keyworker list also includes:

- School and nursery workers.

- Workers involved in food and medicine production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery.

- Police, Ministry of Defence civilians, contractor and armed forces personnel.

- Justice system workers.

- Fire and rescue service workers.

- Workers in National Crime Agency, border security, prison and probation and other national security roles.

- Air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport workers.

- Government administrative jobs involved in ‘delivery of COVID-19.

- Journalists in public service broadcasting.

- Religious staff.

- Charities and workers delivering key frontline services.

- Funeral directors and others who managing the dead.

- Air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport workers.

- Government administrative jobs essential to ‘delivery of COVID-19 response’ or delivering essential services e.g. benefits payments.

- Utilities, financial and communication workers.

To view the key worker list click here