LFD testing is for people with no COVID-19 symptoms. 

We at Public Health Dorset would like to remind parents and carers of secondary school aged children to only use their LFD tests if their children do not have any symptoms of COVID-19 (known as being asymptomatic). The free home testing kits are for anyone not showing symptoms. We would like to remind families to keep taking part in free, asymptomatic testing using LFD tests twice a week. Visit the Public Health Dorset website for information about how to get LFD tests. By taking part in regular testing, you can help break the chain of transmission quicker and is one of our tools to keep healthy children attending school and get back to doing the things we love.

If you or your children develop COVID-19 symptoms you must self-isolate and book a PCR test online or by calling 119. Your household must self-isolate until a PCR result is received.

All parents and carers know children can get ill but not all illnesses are COVID-19. Remind yourselves about what to do if your child falls ill.

If you or your family needs support for self-isolation related to a case in school you can get support. The Government offers a £500 financial support package for people self-isolating or having to take time off work to look after a child in isolation. To get a support payment, you must live in England and meet all the following criteria:

  • have a unique NHS Test and Trace 8-digit identifier number or have an email from school/college saying you/your child needs to self-isolate
  • you've been notified to self-isolate on or after 28 September 2020 (including by a school-email is sufficient)
  • asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you’ve tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
  • be employed or self-employed 
  • are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result 
  • be currently receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit 

Make a claim within 28 days of the first day of your self-isolation