PUBLIC INFORMATION PAGES FROM CAMDEN COUNCIL

The council says it remains committed to delivering vital services to residents during this time, including to Camden’s families and children, older adults, and tenants and leaseholders.

Schools

While all schools are now closed to the majority of students, the Council continues to support families and children where it can. Some staff will remain on site at schools, nurseries and private schools, to help and support the most vulnerable children and those of critical workers where they have no other option.

Free school meals

The Council are working to ensure no one in the borough goes hungry. As part of that they are offering food parcels once a fortnight to children eligible for free school meals. This is in addition to the government’s plans to offer meals or vouchers as an alternative. Specific arrangements are being shared with schools directly about how food parcels can be collected.

Children attending school, whether deemed vulnerable or the children of critical workers, are currently being provided food on site irrespective of their free school meal eligibility.

For more information go to camden. gov.uk/schools-children-and-families

Childcare and early years services

The following children’s centres and nursery buildings will remain open (Monday to Friday) and will provide some childcare and midwifery appointments: Regent’s Park Children’s Centre, Harmood Children’s Centre, Agar Children’s Centre, Langtry Nursery.

Many private, voluntary and independent nurseries are remaining open for the children of critical workers – but, if you are a critical worker and a parent who needs a place for your child aged under five, please call the Council’s early years service:

• Regent’s Park Children’s Centre: 020 7974 8934
• Harmood Children’s Centre: 020 7974 8961
• Agar Children’s Centre: 020 7974 4789
• Langtry Nursery: 020 7974 5080.

Protecting older and vulnerable people

The safety of Camden’s residents remains the Council’s top priority. If you receive care at home and are concerned about how your support will be affected, contact Camden Adult Social Care on adultsocialcare@camden.gov.uk or 020 7974 4000 (option 1).

• The Council is working with home care providers to make sure that those most in need will continue to get care through Camden Adult Social Care.
• All home care providers have business continuity plans in place to make sure they can continue to provide care to people.
• Personal Assistants (PAs) should not provide anyone care if they become ill. The Council can support you to review a contingency plan to make sure you are able to receive care if your PAs are sick or self-isolating.
• For support email Personalisation Support in Camden (PSIC) at info@psic.org.uk or phone 020 7383 4901 (option 1).

If you live in a Camden Council home

You will see some changes to your housing services but please bear with the Council as it works to make sure that all essential work continues, and that the most vulnerable people get the help they need.

If you are worried about paying your bills the Council can help

Camden Council is committed to supporting everyone through this very difficult time. No council tenant will be evicted from a council home if there is clear evidence that they have been unable to pay rent as a direct result of coronavirus.

If you’re a tenant and you’re worried about paying your rent, get in touch with your neighbourhood housing officer as soon as possible to get support and advice.

If you need help paying your rent because you pay in cash or use an Allpay card, speak to your neighbourhood housing officer. You can also pay for your rent online at camden.gov.uk/your-council-rent or over the phone on 020 7974 4444.

If you are a leaseholder and you think you will have difficulty paying your service charge or major works invoices because of coronavirus, please email leaseholderservices@camden.gov.uk. Staff are working at home and not in the office, so if you’re a leaseholder, please don’t send send letters and cheques in the post contact the email address above or phone 020 7974 3559 and pay any charges online.

Lifts

If you’re using the lift in your block and there’s someone in it already, take the next lift or take the stairs to make sure that you stay two metres away from people who you don’t live with.

Playgrounds

All playgrounds, including all estate playgrounds, are in the process of being closed. Even if your estate’s playground isn’t locked off by a gate, please keep everyone safe and do not use it.