UPDATE NO 408 19 June 2020

Coronavirus: domestic abuse: impact on child welfare – from the NSPCC

The NSPCC has published information on children’s experiences of domestic abuse both before and during lockdown. An NSPCC Learning briefing using insight from NSPCC helpline contacts and Childline counselling sessions highlights the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people during the coronavirus pandemic.

A separate briefing, looking at learning from case reviews published since 2019 where children experienced domestic abuse, summarises the learning in the published reports and highlights that professionals must prioritise the impact that living with domestic abuse has on children. A BBC Newsnight feature on children’s experiences of domestic violence during the coronavirus crisis was broadcast on 9 June 2020.

News story: Protecting children from domestic abuse during coronavirus
Download the briefings: The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on child welfare: domestic abuse
Domestic abuse: learning from case reviews

Born into care: 1000 mothers in care proceedings in Wales from Nuffield Family Justice Observatory

This summary highlights the main findings of a report commissioned by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory and undertaken by the Family Justice Data Partnership.

The rapid rise in the number of babies who have been taken into care in recent years has raised lots of questions, most importantly: what can be done to prevent such steps being necessary? Building on insights from two earlier reports in the Born into Care series, this summary highlights the main findings of a research report that paints a picture of the health needs of both mothers and babies who come into care proceedings. In doing so, it helps us to better understand the kind of intensive early intervention that might be needed.

The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory report can be accessed from this link.

The full report is here.

Building on the findings shared in two earlier reports in the series, Born into care: Newborns in care proceedings in England and Born into care: Newborns and infants in care proceedings in Wales, this research starts to develop the evidence base on the health needs of mothers and babies who come into care proceedings. It aims to help provide insights into the kind of intensive early intervention that might be needed.

Key findings include: 

• Over half (53%) reported an existing mental health condition at their initial antenatal assessment, whilst three- quarters (77%) had a mental health- related general practice (GP) or hospital contact or admission recorded in their health records prior to the child’s birth.
• Entry to motherhood was early, with half (53%) doing so as teenagers.
• The majority (76%) lived in areas in the two most deprived areas of Wales (quintiles).
• Two-fifths (38%) were documented as having had a GP or hospital contact or admission relating to substance use prior to the child’s birth.
• Two-thirds (63% and 60% respectively) were recorded as smokers at booking and at the time of birth.

Covid-19 and early intervention: Understanding the impact, preparing for recovery

This report from the Early Intervention Foundation highlights the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown on local services for children and families, based on the experiences of service leaders and head teachers, and explores their responses to both the immediate challenges and the major challenges on the horizon, as the country moves towards recovery.

Areas of focus include:

• risk assessment and referral in a virtual environment
• virtual delivery of services
• maintaining essential face-to-face delivery
• closure of school and early years provision
• longer-term issues, including the likely spike in demand for acute services as the lockdown is eased, and the funding that will be required to ensure both specialist services and early help are available for the families that need extra support.

The report can be accessed here and the full text is here

The cost of learning in lockdown: family experiences of school closures from CPAG

The Cost of the School Day project helps schools identify and reduce the financial barriers that prevent children in poverty from fully participating in school life. To understand how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted children’s experience of learning, we conducted some research through surveys and interviews. We gathered the experiences of 3,600 parents and carers, along with 1,300 children and young people, with an emphasis on the experiences of low-income households. We found that the cost burdens of school closures have fallen most heavily on families already living on a low income.

The recommendations are here; and the full report is here.

In particular, we found that:

• 40% of low-income families were missing at least one essential resource to support their children’s learning. One third of the families who are most worried about money have had to buy a laptop, tablet or other device.
• People who told us they were worried about their financial circumstances were also more likely to have bought educational resources for their children.
• Families who were worried about money were more likely to say they found it difficult to continue their children’s education at home.
• Eligible parents valued receiving support towards the cost of replacing free school meals. Most families told us they preferred to receive support through direct payments to their bank accounts, as this method allowed flexibility, dignity, safety and convenience.
• Children and young people value contact with teachers and classmates – secondary school pupils were more likely to report doing ‘a lot’ of schoolwork at home if they are regularly keeping in touch with teachers.
• When children can go back to school, parents’ primary concern is children’s wellbeing.

AD Education Network – next meeting Friday 10 July

Thanks to those able to join the AD Education Network meeting on 5 June. The notes are available here 

As agreed there will be an additional video meeting of the AD Education Network on Friday 10 July 10am to 11.30am. 

The joint event with the SEND Network will take place on 25 September. It is currently planned to happen in London and run from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

West Berkshire Headteachers “Thinkpiece”

This link takes you to a 30 minute webinar “thinkpiece” of West Berkshire headteachers discussing preparation for increasing the number of students in school.

Themes discussed include wider reopening, school development planning, adapting staff performance management.