The Interim Corporate Director, Children
Services advised that this was a verbal update and informed the
Committee of information, including:
- Schools would be
returning on 8 March and Children’s Services was working with
the Headteachers to manage the return of all schools across the
BCP.
- The challenges were
highlighted including the logistics of testing the secondary school
pupils.
- The Interim
Corporate Director advised that she would circulate some
information received from the DfE to the Committee for its
information. Action.
- It was highlighted
that the clinically extremely vulnerable groups were still be
requested to shield and the impact of this on teachers and staff
was still being considered.
- The Committee was
advised that the Governments position on exams was yet to be
announced.
The Portfolio Holder with responsibility for
Covid Resilience, Schools and Skills addressed the Committee and
provided a verbal update which included the following
information:
- The Committee was
advised of findings released by Ofsted in November 2020 on the
Impact of Covid on Children and Young People when considering
social care settings, early years, and schools
- It was noted that
with the planned return to school, children would again become more
visible to BCP and Children’s Services, ensuring evaluations
of the impacts locally could be undertaken however, there was no
reason to suggest that it would not echo the national findings of
Ofsted
- The Portfolio
Holder referred to some research which had been undertaken
regarding maternal mental health during the pandemic and the need
to ensure mothers of young children were sighted and supported, if
required.
- The mental health
of children and young people was highlighted and it was advised
that those who already experienced emotional health wellbeing may
have suffered more, an acknowledgment of reduced physical activity,
and the possible impact of long Covid on parents and carers.
- One positive was
the outcome of an Office for National Statistics Survey which
showed that the Covid impact on mental health of 16 to 19 year olds
was less than other adult age groups
- The Committee was
also advised of need to ensure support for children and young
people was included within the economic recovery local plan
- The Portfolio
Holder summed up the impact Covid had had on SEND children whose
routine and wider support structure from families, services and
practitioners had been impacted and it was advised that if those
relationships had been strong prior to lockdown, then the support
had continued where possible but if not, then the opposite could
have occurred.
The Committee discussed the verbal update and
in response to a query about the proposed catch up opportunities
over the summer holidays, the Committee was advised that this was
only one of many discussions being undertaken in
Government. The Committee was reassured
that any measures taken within BCP would be led by what the
children needed and that a plan and clear vision to support the
children and parents moving forward was being formed.
The Chair thanked the Interim Directors,
Children’s Services and the Portfolio Holder for their verbal
update.