Coronavirus daily update: Monday 22 June
Fiona Simpson
Monday, June 22, 2020
Disadvantaged children risk developing serious psychological illnesses including post-traumatic stress disorder due to the Covid-19 pandemic, new research shows.
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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.
Covid-19 leaves disadvantaged children ‘at risk of developing PTSD’
A new report from the Childhood Trust warns that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are at higher risk of developing serious psychological illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder, due to the pandemic.
Dr Maria Loades, a clinical psychologist from the University of Bath, says in the report that lockdown measures are "likely to increase the risk of depression and probable anxiety, as well as possible post-traumatic stress".
A separate report from the biggest provider of NHS mental health support for young people says that children from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to suffer from Covid-19 related mental health issues than their white peers.
Three-quarters of young people ‘feel Covid-19 will impact future life plans’
New data from the Office for National Statistics shows that 75 per cent of 19 - 29-year-olds polled think the coronavirus pandemic will affect their future life plans.
A further eight in 10 young people in this age group are currently unable to attend university, the study shows.
Richard Crellin, policy manager at The Children’s Society said: “These findings lay bare the devastating impact that being unable to attend school and college is having on young adults.
“This is causing worry for young people not only about their ability to learn now, but also their plans for the future.”
DfE reveal out of school projects to receive extra funding
The government has revealed 10 projects set to receive a share of £9m to run food and activities programmes over the summer holidays.
Disadvantaged children will benefit from free healthy meals and enriching activities this summer. The £9m Holiday Activities and Food Programme will provide targeted support for tens of thousands of children across the country to help them to stay healthy and active. pic.twitter.com/arFKcnI8et
— Department for Education (@educationgovuk) June 20, 2020
The projects, in areas including Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Suffolk and the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Tower Hamlets are set to support 50,000 disadvantaged children across 17 local authorities.
However, the announcement has drawn criticism for not including any areas in the Midlands or South West of England and other disadvantaged areas including Hull, Sunderland and parts of Manchester.
Nurseries in Wales reopen
Nurseries in Wales reopened to more children today, a week early than expected by providers.
First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that settings would begin to reopen today in a statement made on Friday.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association Cymru said: “Although this opportunity to accept more children will be welcomed by many nurseries, especially those who have been open only for key worker childcare, it really is very short notice.
“A great deal of planning and work needs to be done to prepare nurseries and their staff teams so that they can welcome children back into an environment that is familiar, but also as safe as it can be. Giving providers just a weekend to get ready is not sufficient time, especially when nurseries were working towards reopening on 29 June.”
Early years leaders hit out at omission from ‘catch-up’ fund
Early years leaders have called on the government to “take the sector seriously” after it was missed out of a £1bn funding pledge to help children catch-up on missed education.
The government last week announced, however, the funding announcement totalling £1bn made no mention of early years or post-16 education.
The omission sparked confusion across the early years sector after settings initially appeared to be eligible for the fund but were later removed from a revised press release.
