Barnardos Calls on the Government to Provide More Support for Schools & Families
Posted on Wednesday 28 July 2021 in Advocacy, Press Releases, Schools, Research
View our Back to School Infographics:
Barnardos: Parents Concerned About Long-Term Impact of Pandemic & School Closures
~Barnardos Calls on the Government to Provide More Support for Schools & Families~
‘My 7-year-old has had a total of 18 months desk time in front of a teacher. They’re behind 7 months of time and a year of actual learning. They need another year of catch up.’
(Parent, Barnardos Back to School Survey 2021)
#BarnardosBacktoSchool
A total of 1,473 parents and 121 children and young people participated in Barnardos’ annual Back to School Survey, which took place during June and July 2021. The survey responses showed that while children are largely looking forward to returning to school in September, the majority of parents still have concerns about their children’s development, in particular educational, emotional and social. In addition, the survey results highlight the level of adversity families faced over the past twelve months, including increased mental health issues, financial concerns, isolation and lack of social support.
Suzanne Connolly, Barnardos CEO, said: “Last year our survey evolved to reflect the difficult circumstances in which parents and school pupils found themselves in the context of Covid-19. This year there is an additional focus on parents’ concerns about the overall development of their children, the impact of home schooling and the adversities families as a whole faced over the past twelve months.
‘Our survey found parents and children are generally feeling positive about going back to school in September. However, parents have concerns about their children’s emotional, educational and social progress and as a result, the majority believe their children will need some form of additional support. Unfortunately, 49% of parents are concerned about whether or not their children will be able to access the necessary support.”
‘My child suffers terribly with anxiety & doesn’t like to leave the house for anything! It’s like ww3 to go for a walk! On returning to school last April, his anxiety was manifesting in physical.’
(Secondary School Parent, Barnardos Back to School Survey 2021)
Ms. Connolly continued: “We are calling on the government to publish promised plans to address the additional educational support needs of children. Schools should be provided the autonomy and flexibility to respond effectively to the individual level of need among children in their school and determine the support required. These plans need to be communicated to parents to help ease their concerns and focus on those most impacted by the pandemic and home schooling and those who faced educational disadvantage before lockdown.”
‘The lockdown children have special needs now too. The environment wasn’t conducive to learning it just helped them not go backwards. Extra time in school is needed to recover social, educational & personal skills.’
(Primary School Parent, Barnardos Back to School Survey 2021)
Key findings from this year’s survey:
In addition to concerns for their children, findings show that parents and their families faced increased adversity and difficulties over the past year, particularly those facing disadvantage such as lone parents and unemployed parents. A substantial proportion are concerned that these adversities may have had an impact on their children.
‘Children adapt but they also soak everything in like little sponges. They see and hear everything at home, even when we try our best to shelter them from adult conversations etc. Then they carry this with them on top of their worries & the covid anxiety’
(Primary School Parent, Barnardos Back to School Survey 2021)
Costs remain a considerable concern for many parents who will continue to struggle to meet them this September, particularly given the impact of Covid-19. There are a range of steps the government must take to better guarantee the right to free education for all.
‘Our education system is way too expensive, the back to school allowance definitely doesn't even half cover the expenses of primary school kids, even with a book rental scheme. I dread this time of year even more than I dread Christmas time.’
(Primary School Parent, Barnardos Back to School Survey 2021)
‘He will have to return to school with a uniform that has stains as I can't afford to buy a new one’
(Primary School Parent, Barnardos Back to School Survey 2021)
‘Financially I'm barely making ends meet on a weekly basis and now I have to think about new uniforms books book rental lunches’
(Primary School Parent, Barnardos Back to School Survey 2021)
It is clear that children and families are in need of support. It is now time for the government to show its commitment to providing that additional support in order to help children and families to fully recover and progress once again.
For support or guidance, Barnardos professionally staffed Parent Supportline is available Monday-Friday from 10am-2pm on 1800 910 123.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Analysis and results
Read our Back to Schoo Survey 2021 findings:
Barnardos Key Recommendations
Back to school costs
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Tel: 01 7080442 / 086 0445966
[email protected] / [email protected]
About Barnardos
Barnardos’ mission is to deliver services and work with families, communities, and our partners to transform the lives of vulnerable children who are affected by adverse childhood experiences. Because childhood lasts a lifetime