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.