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Each day, CYP Now will summarise the key issues affecting the children and families sector as it tackles the effects of the pandemic. The daily update signposts children’s services practitioners and leaders to the latest developments, expert views, advice and resources.
Adviser warns reopening schools risks increased spread of virus
The Department for Education's chief scientfic adviser has admitted that reopening schools could "fuel" the spread of coronavirus.
During a session of the Commons science and technology committee, Osama Rahman said that a wider reopening of primary schools from 1 June could bring together “hundreds of potential vectors” that could lead to an increased spread of the virus.
He also said there was a “low degree of confidence” in studies suggesting children are less likely to transmit Covid-19 than adults.
Quarter of parents say schools should close until September
More than a quarter (28 per cent) of parents think schools should remain closed until September, new research shows.
A survey of 3,550 parents by learning provider Exemplar Education also revealed that 59 per cent thought that lockdown would have a negative impact on their children’s learning and academic performance while a further 59 per cent reported that their children were struggling to focus on their schoolwork.
Two-thirds of parents concerned about impact of Covid-19 on children’s mental health
New research by children’s mental health charity YoungMinds shows that 67 per cent of parents are concerned about the long-term impact of the coronavirus on their child’s mental health.
Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of more than 1,850 parents polled by the charity said that they would not know where to turn for advice and information on supporting their children’s mental health during this time.
The results come as part of the launch of YoungMinds’ Beyond Tomorrow campaign which urges the government to prioritise support for children and young people as England comes out of lockdown.
Award celebrates young people making a difference
The Jack Petchey Foundation has launched its community awards, a grant-giving scheme to recognise young people from London and Essex who are helping their community during the coronavirus outbreak.
Members of the public are invited to nominate a young person they know aged between 11 and 25 via the Foundation’s website. Winners will be awarded £50 each in recognition of their community spirit.
Six winners have already been picked from 300 entries including Jessica Booth, age 11, from Croydon who has been creating workout videos to support family and friends and Tata Issa Sougui, age 18, from Harrow, who has so-far delivered 119 food parcels to refugees across London.
Labour slams plans to remove free school meals funding over half term
Labour’s shadow early years minister Tulip Siddiq has called on the government to continue to fund free school meals over May half term.
In a letter to children’s minister Vicky Ford, Siddiq also asked whether meals would be provided over the summer break due to the coronavirus crisis and highlighted recurring issues with the government’s emergency voucher scheme.
She said: “Many more children are going hungry in this crisis, so this is absolutely not the time to be withdrawing support for free school meals. There have been huge admin problems with the free school meal voucher scheme which we have been urging ministers to sort out, but it is a terrible mistake to take this crucial support away at a critical moment.
“The economic impact of coronavirus is hitting the poorest families hardest, with one in five households with children not getting the food they need in recent weeks. A free school meal is often the only proper meal that some children get, especially when household budgets are under pressure, so this support must continue.”
