Made - 18 February 2021

Coming into operation - 18 February 2021

The Department of Education in Northern Ireland, in exercise of powers conferred by section 38(3) and paragraph 14(1) of Schedule 17 of the Corona virus Act 2020 ("the 2020 Act") gives this Temporary Continuity Direction.

Before giving this direction, the Department has had regard to the advice relating to coronavirus from the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.

The Department is satisfied that the giving of this direction is a necessary and proportionate action for or in connection with the continued provision of education or services relating to education for the specified period.

The Department directs as follows:

1. This direction applies to the Education Authority.

Restriction on youth services, and exceptions

2. The Authority shall restrict access to all youth service buildings and facilities under its management for the duration of the specified period, except in so far as access is required for or in connection with any of the following-

(a) the provision of targeted youth services in-person to vulnerable and at-risk children and young people, as approved by the Authority;

(b) the provision of youth services by remote means;

(c) planning and preparation for the provision mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b);

(d) the maintenance of buildings and facilities as considered appropriate, or any use of buildings and facilities for, or in relation to, other aspects of the response to coronavirus.

3. The Authority may liaise with voluntary youth organisations in connection with the provision of voluntary youth services in-person to vulnerable and at-risk children and young people by those organisations.

4. Youth services may otherwise be provided by remote means only.

Requirement to have regard to certain matters, and to guidance

5. In making the provision or carrying on the activities set out in this direction, the Authority must have regard to the objective of preventing the transmission of coronavirus, to the welfare of children and young people and staff, and to the importance of continuity of education.

6. In making the provision or carrying on the activities set out in this direction, the Authority must have regard to relevant guidance issued by the Department of Education.

Citation, commencement, and interpretation

7. This direction maybe cited as the Provision of Youth Services (Northern Ireland) Temporary Continuity Direction and shall come into operation on 18 February 2021.

8. The specified period is the period running from the coming into operation of this direction until 23:59 on 5th March 2021.

9. In this direction -

'the Department' means the Department of Education in Northern Ireland

'the Authority' means the Education Authority established by section I of the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014

'the specified period' shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 8.

'remote means' means provision of youth services otherwise than in-person at a youth services building or facility.

10. This direction has effect until the earlier of -

(a) the end of the specified period, or

(b) the revocation of this direction by a further direction given by the Department in accordance with paragraph 14 of Schedule 17 of the 2020 Act.

11. This direction does not affect the application of the Coronavirus Act 2020 Educational Continuity Direction Notice No. 03, which shall continue to apply to schools and other educational establishments for the period specified therein.

12. This direction is published in accordance with paragraph 14(5) of Schedule 17 of the 2020 Act.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Education, 18 February 2021.

Peter Weir

Minister of Education