• Norwood Forum

10.03.2021 UPDATE - Covid-19 testing for parents of school age children

10.03.2021 updates are highlighted in orange
Did you receive a letter?

The Education team at Lambeth Council wrote to all parents giving them the details of the LFD testing centres, but since then the government has said that LFD devices can be collected from selected test centres.

How to get tested?
There is no particular preference as to which people use but Lambeth have emphasised to schools that there is plenty of capacity for parents to be tested at Lambeth's testing sites. Find a testing site close to you here: beta.lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/book-rapid-covid-19-test-if-you-have-no-symptoms

Lambeth have an agreement with Southwark, so you may use a Southwark’s asymptomatic testing site if that is more convenient. Find these details here.

And here is the relevant information lifted from the Gov. website: (read it at source for yourself here)
Members of households, childcare or support bubbles of school staff and pupils
This information does not apply to secondary school pupils, and primary and secondary school staff, who should take twice-weekly tests using home test kits provided by their school.

From 1 March 2021, if you’re a member of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of staff or a pupil you can get a twice-weekly test:

  • through your employer if they offer testing to employees
  • at a local test site
  • by collecting a home test kit from a test site
  • by ordering a home test kit online

Get a test through your employer
Your workplace may offer rapid lateral flow testing to you. Contact your employer to find out more.

Take a test at a rapid lateral flow test site
You can take a rapid lateral flow test at a local site. Testing at these sites is assisted, which means you will swab yourself under the supervision of a trained operator.

Collect test kits
You can collect 2 packs of home test kits. These can only be collected from selected testing sights, check the link below.
Each pack contains 7 tests.
Anyone 18 or over can collect.
Most collection points are open from 1.30pm to 7pm. You can check online if the location is open or busy before you go. You do not need to make an appointment.
Do not visit a collection point outside opening hours, as it may be used to test people with coronavirus symptoms outside these times.
Use this link to find a collection point - scroll down the page to the section titled: 'Collect test kits​' where you will find the correct link.

Kits can also be collected from the local symptomatic testing sites every day between 1.30pm and  7pm, as symptomatic PCR testing at these sites is now only available until midday. These sites are:

  • Streatham Common Carpark, London SW16 3BZ
  • Angela Davis Industrial Estate, Somerleyton Rd, Brixton, London SW9 8ND
  • ​Wheatsheaf Community Hall, off S Lambeth Rd, Vauxhall, London SW8 2UP.

Order home test kits online
If you cannot get tested at your workplace, or are unable to go to a test site or collect test kits, you can order a home test kit online.
Do not order online if you can get a test through other methods. This frees up home delivery for those who need it most.
Order rapid lateral flow home test kits

What twice-weekly testing involves:
You will be asked to:

  • take a test twice a week (every 3 or 4 days apart)
  • report every result to NHS Test and Trace on the same day you take the test

Report your test result online or by calling 119.

If anyone tests positive or gets coronavirus symptoms, they should tell the school and:

A negative result means the test did not find signs of coronavirus. But this does not guarantee you do not have coronavirus, so you should keep following all coronavirus advice including:

  • regular handwashing
  • social distancing
  • wearing a face covering where recommended