Changes to services

As part of the government’s Step 1 in the roadmap out of lockdown, all children and students will return to face to face education in schools and colleges.

Parents and pupils are advised to follow ‘hands, face, space’ guidelines when travelling to and from educational settings.

Early years settings such as nurseries, alternative provision and special schools will remain open and vulnerable children and children of critical workers can continue to use registered childcare, childminders and other childcare activities.

• Testing for school staff and pupils
• See the latest government advice on education

If you need any further information, please contact your child’s school directly.

• Visit our school's page for further information

When children are able to travel to school, Transport for London (TfL) have added over 200 extra buses to the network during peak times and are planning to prioritise some of these school services, find out more and check to see if your route is affected.

Please watch TfL's back to school travel tips video and see what changes have been made to help keep the buses to safe and clean.

Walking, cycling or scooting to school is a great way to keep healthy and to create space for others on the network. TfL's new STARS Safer Journey Planner can help you plan your journeys and provides useful travel advice.

Do not send your child to their nursery, childminder, school or college if:

• they are showing coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
• someone in their household is showing symptoms
• they are told by the NHS Test and Trace service that they have been in close contact with a positive case and they are asked to self-isolate
• they have travelled to a country not on the travel corridor list when you must quarantine on return to the UK

If anyone in your household is displaying symptoms you must all stay home and self-isolate.

Arrange a test if you or your child develops symptoms. Inform your nursery, childminder, school or college of the results.

If the test is positive, follow guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, and help NHS Test and Trace reach your contacts.  If you or anyone in your family feels that they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition worsens, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days then use the NHS 111 online service.  If you do not have internet access call NHS 111, and for a medical emergency dial 999.  

Remember to regularly wash your hands and encourage children to do so too.  Keep a safe distance from other households, including at drop off or pick up times and use a face covering in line with guidance from your school or college. Following these rules supports the action your schools, nursery, childminder or college is taking and helps keep us all safe.

Read the latest back to school advice from the Greater London Authority (GLA), including travelling to school, face covering, health advice and looking after mental health. 

Face coverings

Current Government guidance on face coverings for schools in areas of England where the transmission of the virus is high states:

• Face coverings should be worn by adults and pupils in secondary schools when moving around the school, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain
• It will not be necessary to wear face coverings in the classroom, where protective measures already mean the risks are lower, and where they can inhibit learning.

This guidance also applies to further education colleges and will be reflected in guidance to universities.  Face coverings are not required for children in primary schools or early years settings where the risks are lower.

Find more information on face coverings including how to make your own face mask on the GLA face-covering guidance page.

Vaccinations 

Before children start school in September, it is really important that they are up to date with the vaccinations to protect them from several contagious and potentially serious diseases.

Parents can book an appointment with their GP.  All London GPs have adapted their delivery of vaccinations to ensure that they are safely vaccinating children in COVID-19 secure venues with social distancing, Personal Protective Equipment and infection control measures in place. Visit the NHS website for more information.

If Students, parents, carers and teachers are feeling anxious about attending nursery, school or college, there is a great deal of help and resources for schools to support the mental health of their staff and students. Resources can be found in the Schools Mental Health Toolkit.

For parents and carers, the Government has produced guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.

Take a look at GLA's Coronavirus and looking after your mental health webpage for tips and advice to help keep yourself mentally well.

School Admission Appeal Panel Hearings will now take place virtually. Parents will be sent an electronic link to join the hearing remotely.

If you have  COVID-19 symptoms: Please double bag your rubbish, especially used tissues, disposable cleaning clothes or other personal waste and leave for 72 hours before placing out for collection. 

Please do not put any tissues or kitchen roll in your recycling boxes.

• Your rubbish and recycling is being collected separately again
• Bin and blue box deliveries have resumed
• We begin collecting at the earlier time of 6 am, please ensure your rubbish is out for collection before this time

Garden waste

Garden waste collections will resume on Monday the 5th April 2021 for properties in the Week 1 area and Monday 12th April 2021, for properties in the Week 2 area.

Bulky waste

We have a huge demand for this service and need to take more time at each collection to disinfect the item, which means waiting times of up to 5 weeks. We are doing the best we can to make collections safely and as quick as possible. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience.

Our reuse and recycling centres are open. Please see our reuse and recycling centre page for full details.

We are asking customers to only call with urgent enquiries so we can prioritise our most vulnerable customers. You can still use our online contact form. 

Please see the contact us page for more information.

We are open for telephone appointments. Please use our online contact form for enquiries. If you need to speak to us, please call our customer service advisors on 020 8554 5000 who will be able to help you with your enquiry or direct you to where you can access more information.

You can call us between 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Telephone appointments will be scheduled between 9 am to 4 pm as per opening times. Calls outside of these hours including weekends will be answered by our out of hours service.

Our Face to face service is appointment only.

For contact numbers and information please see our Contact Us page.

We will be dealing with health and safety matters and emergencies and will be running a normal caretaking service.  There is currently a reduced grounds maintenance service.

The Orchard Housing Office in Woodford Green is currently closed. We are planning to prepare the office to re-open: the date will be published once this is confirmed.

Resident Engagement: we are sending periodic emails and text messages to you to keep you informed of housing service information. 

For urgent issues, council tenants and leaseholders should call 0208 708 6355 or 020 8708 8316.

Repairs

With effect from 8am Thursday 7th January 2021 the following services will only be provided subject to confirmation of Risk Assessments being put in place with the Council by the contractor: 

1. Emergency repairs
2. Void services
3. Communal repairs
4. Gas repairs
5. Gas servicing if satisfactory to proceed 

All other and appointed works are to be suspended until the review date of 12 February 2021.

We will not be able to carry out any other repairs. If you need any other repair, please wait until further notice before contacting us.

If you have an appointment for a surveyor or operative or non-urgent works ordered, these are now suspended until further notice.

For repairs please call 0800 39 39 94.

Capital Works

In line with Government guidelines, we have decided to allow limited major works to the outside of buildings and to communal areas. Please note, this will not include works within residents’ homes. Contractors and consultants are providing us with plans to ensure safe systems of working to protect both residents and contractors. These plans will be reviewed for their suitability and no works will start until such systems are in place. Preparations and work will begin progressively from 18 May.

Work being undertaken inside residents’ homes will be suspended until further notice but we will not leave any resident without essential services.

All exterior major works will be paused. All sites will be closed and made safe.

Where works have been agreed, but not yet started, work will not start until further notice. Costs are not expected to increase.

Where works are underway, work will be suspended and made safe and secure until further notice. Costs are not expected to increase.

If you require further information about Capital Works delivery during normal working hours please contact Tony Churton: tony.churton@redbridge.gov.uk.

Fire Safety

All Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) have been completed for this financial year. The next Fire Risk Assessments are scheduled for June and will consist of a Type 1 survey of communal areas but we will review this in mid-May when the impact of COVID-19 is better known.

Fire Safety Management reviews will cease until further notice. Residents are asked to keep communal areas tidy and free from any fire hazards and the Caretakers will be checking these areas.

If you require further information about Fire Management or Playgrounds on housing estates across the housing estate please contact John Kempster: john.kempster@redbridge.gov.uk

We take very seriously the need to protect customers and staff, and maintain social distancing. Therefore, we will not be operating a walk-in service at the customer Contact Centre in Lynton House. We will only be operating emergency services and will not be able to provide information or assistance with non-emergency issues.

If you need help with any of the following issues, please use the contact information provided below:

• Homelessness
• Emergency Housing advice
• An urgent problem with temporary or private sector accommodation provided by the Council

Telephone: 0208 708 4002

Additional staff will be answering telephone lines to ensure you can get through as quickly as possible. Please continue to ring the above numbers or use the email address provided until you get through as you will not be seen if you attend the Customer Contact Centre.

We will arrange a call back within:

• one hour for urgent issues
• two hours for all non-urgent issues

E-mail: housing.options@redbridge.gov.uk

Emails will be answered within:

• one hour for urgent issues
• two hours for non-urgent issues

Out of hours (6pm-8am): 020 8554 5000

The following are not emergency services and we will not be able to help you with these until further notice:

• Housing Register applications
• Allocation of social housing
• Reviews of homelessness decisions
• General housing advice

The Customer Contact Centre is not providing a face-to-face service at the current time.
We recognise that many people sleeping rough will be at high risk from COVID-19 and, we are working closely with our partners, other London authorities and Government departments to maximise the support and accommodation available across London.

If you or someone you are assisting is current sleeping rough, you can access advice, support and accommodation services from the Welcome Centre:
The Welcome Centre
2-6 St Marys Road
Ilford
Essex
IG1 1QX

Tell someone about a rough sleeper

If you want to tell us about someone sleeping rough, you can contact Street Link on 0300 500 0914 who will take note of all the information that you provide and arrange for the rough sleeper to get access to local services and support.

For help, support and the latest information and advice for landlords and tenants, please see our coronavirus support page

Property Licensing

We will continue to process applications for all property licence types. Applications and application payments should continue to be submitted on-line.

Inspections and Visits

Advisory and compliance visits on proposed HMO licence applications have been temporarily suspended and will resume when it has been deemed safe to do so.

Landlords unable to access an advisory visit will still be able to get advice on HMO space, amenity and fire precaution standards from a Housing Enforcement Officer by emailing their enquiries to Prslicensing@redbridge.gov.uk You can also find all necessary advice on our website.

Proactive visits to suspected unlicensed HMO's have been temporarily suspended.

Tenants can still report disrepair in privately rented properties. Visits will be undertaken where there is evidence of disrepair that poses a risk to vulnerable persons or the disrepair is serious.

Before any visit you will be contacted and asked if you are self-isolating or have symptoms of Covid 19. If a visit is carried out we ask that you keep your distance from the Officer and allow them to work alone by staying in a different room. These precautions are for your health and safety as well as that of our Officer.

Complaints about suspected HMO properties will be taken and given priority when normal service can resume.

For help and support including how to access financial support, please see our private tenants support page.

For financial advice and support please see our benefits support page.

Parking exemptions will remain in place for NHS, care and emergency workers until 30 June 2021. 

Please visit the key worker parking page for more information. 

The 1 Hour Commuter Zone restriction has commenced and Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) will be issued.

Redbridge Central Library will operate at reduced hours. Opening hours are Monday-Friday 10am-3pm.

On Tuesday 1 June, Gants Hill library will re-open. Opening hours are Monday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm

All other Redbridge libraries will be temporarily closed until further notice.

Please see the Vision page for more guidance on libraries in Redbridge

All face to face events are currently suspended. 

For information about virtual events and activities see Vision's do more at home page.

Local Forums - https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/about-the-council/local-forums/

Public meetings - https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/about-the-council/public-meetings/

Cabinet, Overview Committee, Licensing Sub-Committee and Planning Committee, will continue online. All other formal meetings of the Council have been postponed until further notice. 

Skips, hoardings and scaffolding: you may experience delays in the delivery of some services

Roadworks and closures: some services are reduced and you may experience delays in the delivery of some services

Street parties applications: you may experience delays in the delivery of some services

Disabled parking bay applications: you may experience delays in the delivery of some services

Pre-applications: postal pre-applications are not able to be accepted. Online and email applications are being accepted. 

Duty planner appointments will now take place by phone.

Planning enforcement: postal reports are not being accepted. Online and email applications are being accepted. 

Business as usual has resumed

Face to face appointments are currently suspended. Service offered by email, telephone calls and skype. Details of job opportunities including temporary roles will be kept updated on our web pages and regular vacancy pack. 

The Redbridge Institute of Adult Education will not be open for classroom teaching or to members of the public.

The Mildmay Neighbourhood Learning Centre is closed until further notice.

All parks and open spaces across Redbridge are open for daily exercise and fresh air.

Read our guidance on using parks facilities 

• Kenneth More Theatre is now open. Workshops, classes and live performances are taking place and can be booked online
• Redbridge Drama Centre is open for classes, workshops and tuition. Theatre performances are currently postponed until we can put social distancing measures in place in the confines of a smaller theatre
• Redbridge Music Service: all lessons will continue to be delivered by teachers in person at schools during term time (where permitted by schools). Rehearsals and lessons have also resumed in person at the John Savage Centre
• Valentines Mansion has re-opened for weddings and public open days. We are still taking booking enquires for hire, please call 020 8708 8100. The gardens remain open.

All libraries, except for Clayhall Library and Woodford Green Library are now open.

For opening hours and more information please  read our guidance notes before visiting.

Access E-books, online newspapers and magazines and other services online.

All of leisure centres and the facilities within are now open and available for you to book your session online. If you are interested in becoming a member join online here.

Except Fairlop Golf Course/Driving Range and Fairlop High Ropes both facilities will remain closed until further notice.

Redbridge Cycling Centre is open for track use, courses, bike repairs and servicing.

Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre is open for water sports for schools and groups.

Fullwell Cross Spa is open, sessions are limited for two hours and must be booked in advance.

Pest control services are limited. Rat treatments are being prioritised.

We are operating at a reduced level of staffing and service so there will be periods of time where a noise service is not in operation. We may also take longer than usual to contact you after submitting any requests for service.

Hainault Youth Centre are offering virtual sessions each week.
www.redbridge.gov.uk/young-people/youth-centres-and-youth-bus/

The Detached team are working with young people face to face in the community.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award are offering support for enrolment and ongoing awards online and over the telephone. www.redbridge.gov.uk/young-people/duke-of-edinburghs-award/

Child Friendly Redbridge Ambassadors can join virtual meetings.

Redbridge Connexions: Advice  available over the telephone. 

Youth Council: virtual meetings can be joined. 

NHS Health Checks: Suspended until further notice. 

Exercise On Referral: All leisure centres are now closed and staff are working from home or at home for the next 3 weeks.

Living streets walking project: On hold until further notice.

Fit For Fun: Sessions suspended until further notice. 

R3 substance misuse services: A reduced service is being provided, but it is not open to walk-ins. Individuals must call or email (tel: 0300 303 4612, email: info.r3@wdp.org.uk). In addition, the service is providing crisis support via telephone for individuals that are not currently supported by the service. All group work and face to face interventions have been stopped, however, keyworkers are contacting clients via telephone. The service continues to prescribe medication and is now providing prescriptions over a longer period to support clients in reducing social contact and support self-isolation.

For more help and support, please see our addiction and dependency support page.

0-19 Universal Service: Healthy Child Clinics and Infant feeding cafes have been stopped as well as any other group activities. The service continues to support families with information, signposting and advice on our website and via telephone (see contact details)

Sexual health services: Our sexual health services have reduced capacity.

BHRUT Sexual Health: 

Sexual Health services at Queen's Hospital, Loxford and Hainault clinics are closed.

Services are open at Outpatients East, Barking Community Hospital, Upney Lane IG11 9LX. Please visit their website or call 020 8924 6674 between 8am and 4pm to book an appointment, further information or advice.

Sexual health services are by appointment only. Residents can attend without an appointment if you are under 18, require HIV PEPSE, emergency contraception, or have been sexually assaulted.

Bart’s Health  - All-East:

Some satellites are still operating but all walk-in appointments have been cancelled. For information on services visit their website

Residents can also contact sites located at Ambrose King Centre: 0207 377 7306 and Sir Ludwig Guttman Centre: 0208 496 7237 for further information.

Pharmacies:  operating but it will be risk assessed and prioritised

GPs: limited to no service for Long-LARCS and Chlamydia screening

Positive East: No outreach or face to face contact- Residents who need support or advice can telephone 020 7791 2855 or email talktome@positiveeast.org.uk. Visit their website.

Bewize (Redbridge YP Sexual Health): outreach has stopped which is the main contract but any enquiries, email bewize@wdp.org.uk

Smoking cessation: Everyone Health is delivering the smoking cessation service using telephone appointments and online support to enable ‘remote’ face-to-face sessions. They are posting the Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to patients’ homes by registered mail. They are offering patients additional support and motivation through the One You Smokefree App.

Service of court proceedings, applications, notices and any other legal documents should be sent by email to Legal.Services@redbridge.gov.uk rather than posted.