The London Borough of Bexley has procured 10 AV1 telepresence robots to enable children who are absent from school due to medical needs, long-term illness or anxiety, to join lessons remotely from home, hospital, or other setting.

Controlling the robot via an app, the child can listen to the teacher, see the board, raise their hand virtually, ask questions, and participate in class discussions with peers. Over time the child will be supported to transition physically back into school.

The use of AV1 robots reduces the risk of children falling behind and becoming isolated from their peers. Reported benefits also include increased pupil engagement, improved attainment, sense of belonging, greater wellbeing, long-term development, and preventing escalation of needs.

Originally commissioned as part of the Safety Valve programme this initiative will now be implemented to support the aims of the Schools White Paper and Local Area SEND Reforms, with a focus on promoting inclusion, attendance and achievement.

AV1 robots will be used alongside existing Inclusion and Educational Psychology services, expanding our offer to meet the individual needs of children and young people who are absent from school.