Supporting the hiddenvictims ofCOVID-19: Lessons from the first wave
Transforming the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children
3
Contents
1.Whythisreport? 05
2.TheimpactoftheCOVID-19pandemiconchildren,youngpeople,andfamilies 06
3.Barnardo’sresponse:supportingvulnerablechildren,youngpeople,andfamiliesduringthecrisis 14
4.Workingdifferently:Barnardo’sapproachtoinnovationandpartnership 16
5.Amplifyingthevoicesofchildrenandyoungpeople:Barnardo’sBigConversation 20
6.Workingtoinfluencethesystemsaroundchildrenandfamilies 21
7.Lessonsforthefuture:Children’sServices2.0 22
4
As the UK’s largest children’s charity, Barnardo’s aim is to achieve better outcomes for more children.
To achieve this, we work with partners to build stronger families, safer childhoods, and positive futures.
Compared with the same period in 2019, we have experienced a 17,000 decrease in the number of service users supported overall, but a 12,000 increase in our direct work with individuals.
This increase in individual work is due primarily to an additional 10,200 children and young people directly supported through the Department for Education-funded See, Hear, Respond programme, in response to COVID-19.
We supported
children, young people, parents and carers throughourservicesandvitalpartnershipswithotheragencies.
174,900
By the end of September we had worked with:
63,400through
individualwork
35,100 throughour
children’scentresandfamilyhubsprovision
24,800 throughour
school-basedprogrammes
During the first national lockdown of COVID-19, from 1 April – 30 September 2020:
5
1. Why this report?
TheCOVID-19pandemiciscausinggreatchangeanddisruptionforeveryone,presentingnewchallenges,andforcingusalltofindnewwaysofliving,working,andinteracting.However,asthepandemichastakenhold,ithasbecomeevidentthatitsimpactonlivesandlivelihoodsisnotbeingequallyfeltbyall.
AtBarnardo’swearewitnessingfirst-handtheacuteimpactthepandemicandassociatedrestrictionsarehavingonthemostvulnerablechildrenandfamilies–manyofwhomwerealreadyfacingsignificantchallenges.
Atthesametime,charitieslikeBarnardo’sarefacingunprecedentedchallenges–bothfinancially,andinhowweprovidesupport.Butdespitethis,wearecontinuingtoharnessourpassion,knowledgeandexpertise;ourinnovationandlearning;ourpartnershipswithotheragencies,supportersanddonors;andthevoicesofchildrenandfamiliestodeliversupportatatimewhenchildrenandfamiliesneedusmorethanever.
Wearepublishingthisreportinearly2021,whichseemsliketherightmomenttoreflectonourlearningfromthefirstwaveandfirstnationallockdown–inthehopethatthiscaninformwherewegonext.
Inthisreport,wehaveembracedtheopportunitytoreviewtheevidenceoftheimpactofthepandemiconchildrenandfamilies,andlearnfromourresponse,sothatwecanidentifythestepsrequirednotjusttorebuild, buttoachievea‘resurgence’insupportforvulnerablechildrengoingforward.
6
2. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children,young people, and families
The impact of COVID-19 on poverty and inequalityCOVID-19 has had a catastrophic impact on the finances of families and young people, exacerbatingthepressureonthosealreadyexperiencingfinancialoremploymentinsecurity,whilealsopushingothersintopoverty.Inthelongerterm,theeconomicfalloutfromthepandemicriskshavingasignificantimpactonmanyfamilies’income–manywhowere‘justaboutmanaging’pre-pandemiccouldnowfindthemselvesstrugglingsignificantly.
Between March and June 2020
individual claims1 for3.1 milliontherewere
Between March and May 2020 thenumberofUniversalCreditclaimantsaged24andunder
almostdoubled2 500,000
overall
Pre-pandemic,
30% of UK
children livedinpovertyintheUK3(over4.2million)
46%
26%
toaround
UPapprox
50%
The surge in unemployment causedbythepandemiccouldhaveresultedinaround
200,000morechildren4fallingbelowthe
pre-COVID-19relativepovertylinebytheendof 2020
comparedto
for Black, Asian, and ethnic minority children(over1.1million)
of white British children
7
Although governments have implemented a number of temporary measures to cushion against the worst effects of the crisis on incomes, many families are still struggling due to job losses, reductions in income, and difficulty accessing benefits. For many children, young people, and families, the worst is likely still to come.
Barnardo’sfrontlineworkershavehighlightedsubstantialincreasesaroundneedforfinancialsupportorgrants,familiesunabletopaybills(includingrent),needforbudgetinghelp,andfamiliesaffectedbywaitingtimesforbenefits
Childreninthelowestincomefamilieshavespent less time on educational activities
during lockdown5thanchildrenfromthehighestincomefamilies
46%
Lockdown widened the learning gap6
betweenwealthierandpoorerchildren by
havesoughtfree schoolmealsas a result of COVID-19,ontopofthe1.4 million who were already claiming7
900,000morechildren
Youngpeopleweremorelikelythanotheragegroupstoneedtousefoodbanks8orfoodcharitiesduringtheinitialstagesofthepandemic,andhouseholdswithchildrenwereparticularlylikelytoreporthavingreduced meal sizes,orskipping mealsaltogether9 ThegrowingnumbersofBarnardo’sfrontline
workerswhoweresupporting someone in, or at risk of being in, povertyin2020.
67%Oct
47%April
60%July
weresupportingyoungpeopleorfamiliesexperiencingreduced earnings due to job losses or reduced hours
In October
77% of Barnardo’s
frontline workers
8
The impact of COVID-19 on youth employmentThe COVID-19 crisis and the resulting recession have had far reaching effects on employment, leaving many people – especially the young – with limited prospects and hope.
Havingalreadycosthundredsofthousandsofjobsandlivelihoods,thepandemicriskspushingmoreyoungpeopleoutofwork,leavingmoreyoungpeopleunemployed,withsignificantlongtermimpactsontheiremploymentopportunities,andatincreasedriskofpoverty.
Estimates suggest that more than
During the first wave of COVID-19, young people were more likely to work in the sectors hardest hit by lockdown measures11,beamongthosemostlikelytohavelost their jobortohavebeen furloughed,andbeamongthosemostat risk of redundancies12
1 million18-24 year olds
mayhavebeen unemployed at December 202010
At September 2020
1 in 5ofthoseontheJobRetentionSchemewereunder 25 years old13
The impact of COVID-19 on mental health and emotional wellbeingCOVID-19 and the measures to contain it have negatively affected the mental health of many children and young people.Duringthefirstnationallockdown,mentalhealthandwellbeingwasaffectedbyarangeoffactors,includingprolongedperiodsofisolationandstayingathome,aswellasconcernsaboutemployment,finances,andhousing.
Childwellbeingandwelfarecanbeinfluencedbyparentalmentalhealth,andevidencesuggeststhatadultmentalhealthissueshavealsoincreasedduringthefirstnationallockdown.
In April
young people aged 8-24intheUKreportedexperiencinganincrease in mental health and wellbeing issues during the first national lockdown14
1 in 3of young people aged 13-25
whowereexperiencing mental health problems pre-lockdown said
their mental health had worsened duringthefirstnationallockdown15
81%
ofBarnardo’sfrontlineworkersweresupportingchildren reporting an increase in mental health issues duetotheCOVID-19pandemic.
48%
increased to By July this had
64%
Themostcommonlycitedissuesincreasinginchildrenasaresultofthepandemicrelatedto anxiety and sleep dysregulation.
ofBarnardo’sworkersweresupportingparents or carersreportinganincrease in mental health issuesduetotheCOVID-19pandemic.
In April
54%
had risen to By July this figure
62%
Themostcommonlycitedissuesincreasingamongparentsasaresultofthepandemicwerestress and anxiety.
9
The impact of COVID-19 on education
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on every aspect of education,theeffectsofwhichhavebeenparticularlydetrimentalforthemostvulnerablechildrenandyoungpeople,likelyincreasingtheeducationalinequalitiesbetweenchildrenfrombetter-offandpoorerhouseholds.
Schoolprovidessomuchmorethaneducation–especiallyforthemostvulnerablechildren.Itcankeepthemsafe,provideahotmeal,andsurroundthemwiththeroutines,structure,andtrustedadultrolemodelsthattheymaynothaveathome.
Althoughschoolsremainedopenforvulnerablechildrenduringthefirstnationallockdown,uptakeofplaceswasverylow,asparentsandcarerswereencouragedtoonlytakeuptheseplacesiftheywereunabletomeettheirchild’sneedsathome,andmanyschoolswereclosedduetostaffshortages.Caringforchildren’sneedsathome,whileadditionallysupportinghomelearningplacedadditionalpressureonfamilies.
overhalfofBarnardo’sfrontlineworkersweresupportingfamilieswhere children were eligible to attend school but were not currently attending.
53%In July 2020
Workers cited these families’ main concerns to be:
‘fear around catching the virus in school’80%
‘following new rules around social distancing’56%
‘different school environment to before’50%
By July this figure
10
Interimmeasurestosupporteducationduringthefirstnationallockdown–suchasremotelearning–wereheavilydependentuponfactorssuchas:proficiencyinEnglish;achild’shomeenvironment;accesstodigitaltechnologyandothereducationalresources;availabilityofaquietspaceforlearning;and,childorparentalengagementinschool.Thesefactorshaveservedtofurthercompound pre-existing inequalities in educational attainment16.
Childrenandyoungpeoplefromlowerincomefamiliesaremorelikelytoexperiencedigital poverty17(i.e.lacktheequipmentanddataneededforhomelearning).Inthecourseofourwork,childrenandyoungpeoplewithoutthenecessaryaccesstodevicesanddatadescribedthenegativeimpactthishadontheirschoolworkduringthepandemic.
Whilesomefamiliesreportedreceivingremotesupportfromtheirschoolduringlockdown,othersreportedreduced,orno,supportfromschools.
Asnotallschoolsprovideddevicesforchildren,manylowerincomefamiliesreportedhavingtopurchaseresourcessuchaslaptopsduringlockdown,resultinginadditionalcostsforfamiliesalreadyexperiencingfinancialstrain18.
ofBarnardo’sfrontlineworkersweresupportingfamilieswhere children were off school due to partial or complete school closureas a result of COVID-19.
In October
26%
Among workers supporting these families, 53% felt that children, young people, and families hadnot been provided with sufficient supporttohelpchildrenre-engagewithlearningwhileunabletoattendschool
11
The hidden victims of the COVID-19 pandemicChildren not being in school, coupled with services and support being withdrawn, paused, or taking place remotely has resulted in reduced oversight of children during the first national lockdown.
Thishasservedtoplacemanychildrenatincreasedriskofharm,includingneglect,abuse,andexploitation.Reducedsocialcontactandlockdownrestrictionsmeantthatopportunitiestoescapeunsafehomeenvironments,andaccesstohelpandsupportwerereduced.Thefullimpactsofsuchharmsare,asyet,unknown.Thesearelikelytocometolightasrestrictionsareliftedandface-to-faceinteractionsoutwiththehomeincrease.WeanticipatethelevelofneedcharitieslikeBarnardo’sarerespondingtowillcontinuetorisesteeplyasaresultofcurrentcircumstances.
HalfofBarnardo’sfrontlineworkersfelttherewillhavebeenan increase in the number of children and young people experiencing domestic abuse during the first national lockdown
referralstochildren’sservicesinEnglandwerealmost
a fifth
From April to May
lowerthaninthesameperiodoverthelastthreeyears19.
Insomeareas,child protection
referrals havereducedbymorethan
50%
50%
12
The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
Ithasbecomeevidentduringthecourseofthepandemicthatthe impact of COVID-19 is not uniform.Systemicracism,andsubsequentinequalitiesexperiencedbyBlack,AsianandethnicminoritygroupsintheUKhavebeenexposedandexacerbatedbyCOVID-19,andchallengesforBlack,Asian,andethnicminoritycommunitieshavemanifestedinarangeofways–acrosshealth,social,andeconomicdomains.Alreadymorelikelytoliveinpoverty20,thishasresultedinchildrenandfamiliesfromthesebackgroundsfacingarangeofadditional,related,challenges,whichthreatentocompoundpre-existingracialinequalities.
TheimpactofCOVID-19onBlack,Asianandethnicminorityfamiliestakesanumberofforms:
more likely to die from COVID-19 thanwhitepeople21
In September 2020
33% of coronavirus patients in intensive carewerefromBlack,Asianorethnicminoritycommunities22
of theUK population isBlack,Asian,orethnicminority
4xBlack peopleare
Adults from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds have experienced higher levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness25 than white adults during the pandemic
Thenumberofchildren suffering anxiety or stress23 in
lockdown increased by:
Childrenseeking help for suicidal thoughts24 went up nearly:
White children
Black, Asian or ethnic minority children
27% 18% comparedto11% compared
to 3% White
children Black, Asian or ethnic
minority children
Only
14%
13
Concernsaboutemployment,finances,andhousinghavebeenparticularlyprevalentforthosefromBlack,Asian,andethnicminoritybackgrounds26.
In October ofBarnardo’sfrontlineworkersreportedhavingsupporteda child or young person who has experienced a hate crime or incident/abuse due to their race, overthelastyear14%
Therehasbeenareportedincreaseinracismandhatecrime32,including‘shaming’ofBlack,Asian,andethnicminorityindividualsonlineforgoingoutside(inkeepingwiththelockdownguidelines).Additionally,inthecourseofourwork,wehavefoundthatnotallfoodbanksandothersourcesofsupporthavebeenabletoprovideculturally-appropriatefoodpackages,andinsmallercommunities,families’privacycanbecompromisedbyhavingtodisclosetheirneeds.
ChildrenfromBlack,Asian,andethnicminorityfamiliesaremorelikelytobelivingin‘digital poverty’,affectingtheirabilitytolearn,socialise,andaccesssupport.Further,parentswithoutEnglishlanguageskillshavefeltlessabletosupporttheirchildrenwithhomelearning,meaningBlack, Asian, and ethnic minority children have been more likely to miss out on educationduringthisperiod.Socialdistancingrestrictionshaveresultedinchildrenandfamiliesmissingcontactwithcommunity support networks,therehasbeenalack of informationaboutCOVID-19andmeasurestocontrolthespreadofthevirusavailableinlanguagesotherthanEnglish,andsomechildrenfromBlack,Asian,andethnicminoritycommunitieswehaveworkedwithhaveexperienced attacks on their home,whileothersfeelextreme anxietyaboutleavingtheirhouseorreturningtoschool.
During the first national lockdown,
Black, Asian, and ethnic minority
communities were:
• particularlylikelytobeimpacted
bysectorshutdowns27
• morelikelytohavehadtocutback
onessentialitems28
• morelikelytobebehindonbills
andtohaveencountereddebt29
• morelikelytospendlockdown
inhomeswithlessspacethan
othergroups30
• lesslikelythantheirwhitepeers
tohavehadaccesstoagarden,31
bringinggreaterriskstotheir
mentalhealthandwellbeing
14
3. Barnardo’s response: supporting vulnerable children,young people, and families during the crisis
AstheCOVID-19crisishit,welaunchedBarnardo’s Coronavirus Crisis Appeal,whichraisedvitalfunds,aswellasawarenessoftheneedsofvulnerablechildrenandfamiliesduringthepandemic.Inourservices,ourprimaryfocuswason‘crisismanagement’andmeetingtheimmediatesafety,welfare,andwellbeingneedsofchildrenandfamilies.Thismeantrethinkinghowwedeliverservices,focusingonsupportingthemostvulnerablechildren,andinnovatingtoprovideservicesdifferently.Whilemorethan500frontlinecolleaguescontinuedtoprovideface-to-facesupportthroughoutthenationallockdown,manyofourserviceshadtomovetooperateverydifferently,veryquickly–providingsupportbyphone,messagingapps,andvideocalls.
Redesigning ServicesThroughoutthepandemic,Barnardo’sservicesacrosstheUKhavecontinuedtoadaptandinnovatetofittheshiftinglandscape,andcontinuetoremainavailableforthechildrenandyoungpeoplewhoneedusmost.
• Weofferedphone ‘check ins’forchildrenandfamilies,allowingustocontinuetoassesstheirwelfareandofferemotionalsupportintheabsenceofface-to-facecontact
• Forfamilieswhodon’thavedigitaltechnologyavailableandhaveneededsomedirectcontact,we visited them at home,continuingcontact,andmaintainingappropriatesocialdistancingmeasures
• Wedevelopedanddistributedarangeofresources to help families support their own mental health and wellbeingwhileathome,andkeepchildrenhappyandentertainedduringlockdown
• Werepurposed buildings,inmanycaseslookingbeyondourexistingcaseloads,andreachingouttoextendoursupporttothoseinneedwhoweweren’tnecessarilyreachingbefore
• Wecontinuedtoprovidemuchneededpractical support,suchasassistingfamiliestoapplyforbenefits,supportingwithshopping,andadvocatingwithhousingandutilityprovidersonbehalfofyoungpeople
• Wetookadvantageofonline opportunities,flexingourusualmodelsofsupport,including:
- usingdigitaltechnologiesto deliver one-to-one therapeutic support,groupwork,andonlinesupportgroups,providingavitalwayofmaintainingroutines,continuingtohavecontactwithchildrenandfamilies,andcontinuingtosupportmentalhealthandwellbeingintheabsenceofface-to-facesupport
- establishing‘Barnardo’s Family Space’,anonlinefamilycentre,allowingaccesstoinformation,guidanceandsupportaboutparentingissuesforthoseunabletoattendaChildren’sCentreorFamilyHubinperson.
15
Barnardo’s Coronavirus Crisis Appeal FromlateMarchtotheendofJuly2020,withthehelpofourgeneroussupporters,includingdonationsfrommembersofthepublic,grantassistance,andin-kindcontributionsfromourcorporatepartners,otherorganisations,andlocalbusinesses,weraisedover£2million.
Barnardo’s Coronavirus Crisis Appeal
wonaThirdSectorDigitalAwardfor
Best online fundraising campaignJudgesnotedthesuccessofthe
agileworkinganditerativeapproachtodelivery.
Barnardo’s Coronavirus Crisis Appeal has allowed us to:
for children, young people and families,providingaccesstofoodwhichtheycouldotherwisenotafford,andhelping alleviate the impact of food insecurity and food poverty
to children, young people and families we support,
helping them to deal with the pressurespresentedbythecrisis,and
supporting them to cope in the absence of face-to-face supportduringlockdown
for families and young people, courtesyoftheEnergySavingsTrust
(with 1,000 more set to benefit from emergency fuel vouchers in due course,
courtesy of a grant to Barnardo’s from the Energy Redress Fund)
to young people and families,therebyempoweringthemwithdigitaltoolstostayconnectedtofriendsandfamily,andaccessonlinelearningandessentialsupport
Life at Home Packs for care leavers,
Provide
3,887food packages
Provide
4,760mental health and
wellbeing packs
Make over
1,000emergency fuel
payments
Distribute over
2,648mobile phones, laptops, and tablets
1,515 of these were new or refurbished mobile phones or tablets courtesy of our Great British Tech Appeal partnership with Vodafone.
Distribute over7,500Play at Home Packs to children and
500
comprisedofitemskindlydonatedbyourcorporatepartnerIKEA.
16
4. Working differently: Barnardo’s approach to innovation and partnership
Working in partnership to support children and familiesPartnership working has been more crucial than ever before. Thechallengesfacingthemostvulnerablechildrenandyoungpeopleduringthecrisis(andevenbefore)aretoo complex for any one agency or sector to solve alone.Asaresult,wehaveusedthepandemicasacatalysttotrialnewwaysofworkingwithpartners,inordertoidentifyandsupportthosewhoneedusmost.
Inresponsetothepandemic,Barnardo’sformedanewprogrammewithfundingfromtheDepartmentforEducation(DfE),andinpartnershipwithover80nationalchildren’scharitiesandcommunity-basedorganisations(40%ofwhichareBlack,Asian,andminorityethnic-led).
See, Hear, Respond(whichiscurrentlyfundeduntilMarch2021)isanewandinnovativeprogrammedesignedtofindsolutionstothechallengesfacingchildrenandfamilies,whichmayhavebeenexacerbatedbytheuniquecircumstancesofthepandemic.Itfocusesspecificallyonreachingchildrenandyoungpeople‘hidden’fromprofessionalsduringthecrisis.
Throughmobilisingasectorresponsetosupportingvulnerablechildrenandyoungpeoplewhodonotmeetthethresholdforstatutorysupportand/orfaceadditionalbarriersasaresultoftheimpactofCOVID-19,See, Hear, Respondbridgesthegapbetweenuniversalservices(schoolsandhealthcareprofessionals),andstatutorysafeguardingservices(policeandsocialcare).
Throughworkingalongsidebothgrassrootsandnationalpartnersinthisway,See, Hear, Respond hasallowedustoreachintocommunitiesandidentifythosefamiliesmostdisadvantaged,andcutofffromotherformsofsupport.
Byworkingwitharangeofspecialistserviceproviders,includingautism,earlyyears,exploitation,disability,mentalhealth,andeducationcharities,See, Hear, Respondhasprovidedformobilisationofanationaldigitaloffer,aswellaslocalface-to-faceoffers.
Wealsocommissionedarts,sports,andyouthworkorganisationswhohavebeenabletoprovidepositiveactivitiestoimproveconnectivitytodecreasesocialisolationandloneliness,and,alongsidethis,throughworkingwithcorepartners–theAssociationofMuslimSchools,ActionforChildren,andTheChildren’sSociety–See, Hear, RespondhasprovidedcomprehensivechildandfamilysupportacrossallofEngland.
Recognisingtheunequalimpactofthepandemic,See, Hear, Respondprioritiseschildrenwhoareexperiencing,ormostatriskof,harmandincreasedadversity,mobilisingasectorresponsethatidentifiesandmeetstheneedsofchildren‘fallingthroughthegaps’.
By 30 September, See, Hear, Respond had been live for 16 weeks and received a total of 13,157 referrals. These include:
587 childrenatriskofexploitationoutoftheirhome
364 youngcarers
871 childrenundertheageoffive
2,844 childrenrequiringsupportformentalhealthandemotionalwellbeing
1,754 childrenwithspecialeducationalneeds
1,713Black,Asian,ethnicminorityandrefugeechildren
17
Althoughthemainreasonforachild’sreferraltoSee, Hear, Respondisemotionalandmentalwellbeing,todate,themajorityoffamilieswehavesupportedhavebeenexperiencingcomplex, multiple, and interrelated needs, affecting various family members.ManychildrenreferredtoSee, Hear, Respondfitintomorethanoneoftheabovecategories.Theprogrammehasrespondedtothisbyengagingwithmultipleagencies,andadoptinga flexible ‘whole family’ approach, focused on making systems work better for each individual child.
Commonexamplesofpresentingissuesinclude:childrenexperiencingextreme anxietyregardingCOVID-19;childrenexperiencingbereavement and lossoffriendsandfamilymembersduetoCOVID-19;increasingself-harm and suicidal ideation;and,increasedexperienceofhate crime and racismcausingextremedistress.
Earlyfindingshaveshownthatthemosteffectiveinterventionsforfamilieshavebeenthosegroundedinsocial models of mental health, supporting schools and other universal services, alongside families, to develop trauma responsive approaches to support children.Thisapproachalsohelpstopreventspecialistresource-intensiveservicesfrombeingoverwhelmed.
Aspartofthiswork,Barnardo’shasalsoprovidedsome‘capacitybuilding’tohelpsmallerorganisationsdevelopsafeguardingpoliciesandbecomecontract-ready,whichwillnotonlybenefitthisproject,butalsoenabletheseorganisationstodeliversimilarworkinthefuture.
See, Hear, Respondwasoperationalwithinashorttimeframe,evidencingthecrucialrolepartnershipworkingplayedinallowingustoquicklyandsuccessfullyrespondtonewchallenges,andcontinuetoprovidepromptandflexiblesupportforchildren,youngpeople,andfamilies.
The See, Hear, Respond Support Hub33–ourdedicatedareaonBarnardo’swebsiteofferingahostofinformation,resourcesandtoolsfrompracticaladviceonhowparentscantalktotheirchildrenaboutthepandemic,totipsonmanaginganxietyandmuchmore–hadrecorded141,174 interactionsby30September2020.
Presenting needs identified at referral to See, Hear, Respond
n=5,097(reportedforindividualreferralsonly)
Childmentalhealth 26761876
17811557
854609
570442
16066
245
Isolationandloneliness
Barrierstoreintegrationtoeducation
Parentingsupport
Parentmentalhealth
Barrierstoengagementwithsupportservices
Impactofcaringresponsibilities
Concernsaboutchildrenoutsidethehome
Exposuretoonlineharm
Childprotection/safeguardingconcernsreferredtoStatutoryAgencies
Other
18
RecognisingthattheseissueswerenotjustEngland-specific,wesecuredfundingfromtheNationalEmergenciesTrust(NET)toextendsomeaspectsofSee, Hear, RespondtoScotland,WalesandNorthernIreland,tobegintobridgetheidentifiedgapinthesecountries.
See, Hear, Respond Celtic Nationsofferstherapeuticsupportthroughahelplinetargetedatthoseassessedashavingpresentingissues(distress,traumaormentalhealthproblems)thatcanbesafelyworkedwithdigitally.Barnardo’ssupportpeopletoreflectandunderstandtheseissues,self-regulate,developcopingstrategies,establishwidersupportnetworks,andmanagefeelingsandbehavioursduringthisperiod.
Inadditiontoprovidingremote,online,andvirtualtherapeuticinterventionstoyoungpeopleandfamilies,See, Hear, Respond Celtic Nationsreferschildrenandfamiliestorelevantagenciesandservices,ensuringintegrationintowiderformsofsupport.
Supporting Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communitiesBuilding a network of partners to address the factors leading to Black, Asian and ethnic minority children experiencing poorer outcomes
Withthepandemicservingtobothhighlightandcompoundexistinginequalities,combinedwithheightenedglobalawarenessofracialinjustice,Barnardo’spublisheditsCommitment to Tackling Racism34.
However,weknowwecannotsolvetheissuesfacingBlack,Asianandethnicminorityfamiliesalone.Wehavethereforebroughttogethermorethan100peoplerepresentingmorethan60Black,Asian,andminorityethnic-ledcharitiesandorganisationsforaseriesofwebinarsaboutsupportingBlack,Asian,andethnicminoritychildrenandyoungpeopleinthepost-COVIDera.
Goingforward,wewillcontinuetodevelopthisnetwork,tofocusonissuesaffectingBlack,Asian,andethnicminoritycommunitiesspecifically,inordertodevelopabroaderunderstandingofissuesaffectingthesefamilies,andinitiatemoreeffectiveculturallysensitiveresponses.
19
Boloh – The first national telephone helpline supporting Black, Asian, and ethnic minority children and young people
Barnardo’shasbeencommissionedtoprovideBoloh,aUK-widetelephonehelplineandwebchatfacilityforBlack,Asian,andethnicminoritychildren,andtheirfamilies,whohavebeenaffectedbyCOVID-19.
Alongsidehelplinesupport,wherecallersrequirefurther,specific,ormoreintensivesupport,Barnardo’sprovidetherapeuticintervention.
TheBolohhelplinesupportsthecomplexityofissuesthatchildrenandfamiliesfromBlack,Asian,andethnicminoritycommunitiesface,andwithmanyBlack,Asian,andethnicminoritychildrenlikelytohavesufferedhardship,trauma,andinsomecasesabuse,duringlockdown,itisneedednowmorethanever.
TheneedforthishelplineisevidencedbyourSee, Hear, Respondwork,whereover35%ofreferralstodatehavebeenforchildrenfromBlack,Asian,minorityethnicandrefugeecommunities.
Commitment to investing in better outcomes for all children
AsaresultofthedisproportionateimpactofCOVID-19onBlack,Asian,andethnicminoritycommunities,itislikelythatchildrenandyoungpeoplefromthesecommunitieswillexperienceadditionalpressuresgoingforward–includingintermsofincreased caring responsibilities, bereavement,and reduced access to support. Thiscomesontopofpre-existinginequalitiesthatdrivepooreroutcomesforthesechildreninawholerangeofareas.
Inlightofthis,Barnardo’shassetupaRaceEqualityFund,whichwillbeadministeredbytheBarnardo’sFoundation.TheFundwillinvestininnovativeprojectsdevelopedincollaborationwithcommunityorganisationswishingtocontributetotacklingsystemicracismaswellasmitigatingitseffects.Additionally,theFundwillsupportworkbyBarnardo’scorporateuniversity,toimprovetheculturalcompetenceofBarnardo’sstaff.
Wearealsolookingatformingpartnershipswithotherlike-mindedorganisationsandworkingwithgrassrootsorganisationstosetupaCentreofExpertise,toshareexistingknowledge,andworktowardsour aim of a more equal society.
20
5. Amplifying the voices of children and young people:Barnardo’s Big Conversation
Throughoutthepandemic,children and young people have told us they didn’t feel heard–yetthedecisionsbeingmadeaffecttheirfuturesmostofall.Wehavetriedtoplayaroleincorrectingthis–bygivingyoungpeopletheopportunitytoundertakeresearch,co-producereports,andmaketheirviewshearddirectlytodecisionmakers.
The Big Conversation included: • A nationally representative online survey conducted by
YouGov on behalf of Barnardo’s,35exploringtheviewsof4,000childrenandyoungpeopleaged8to24acrossGreatBritain,exploringhowCOVID-19hasaffectedtheirlives.Childrenandyoungpeoplesaidtheyhadexperiencedanincreaseinmentalhealthandwellbeingissuesincludingstress,lonelinessandworryasaresultofCOVID-19andassociatedlockdownmeasures.
• In-depth interviews with 113 young people supported by Barnardo’s across the UK.36DesignedwithinputfromBarnardo’sYouthColleagues,foryoungpeopleaged13-25,weexploredexperiencesoftheCOVID-19lockdownrestrictionsandyoungpeople’svisionsforthefuture.Thisworkprovidedin-depthinsightintotheviewsandexperiencesofyoungpeoplewhotendtohavelessopportunitytohavetheirvoicesheard,andwhooftenfacecomplexandoverlappinginequalitiesintheirdailylives,includingchildrenincare,careleavers,childrenwithdisabilities,LGBTyoungpeople,youngcarers,youngparents,childrenforwhomEnglishisnotafirstlanguage,andchildrenwithrefugeeorasylumseekingstatus.
• Mental Health and COVID-19: In Our Own Words,37whichweworkedwithtenyoungpeopletoco-produce.Thesetenyouthresearchersreachednearly150otherchildrenandyoungpeople.Wehavesharedtheirfindingsabouthowchildrenandyoungpeoplewanttoaccessmentalhealthserviceswitharangeofdecisionmakers.
Using what we heard in our research with children and young people, we hosted a series of six virtual conversations with senior politicians,38 during which young people supported by Barnardo’s shared their experiences of COVID-19 and the lockdown, and their views about what needs to change in the future.
We also held a webinar with the Mental Health Minister Nadine Dorries MP where young people we support talked directly to over 300 participants from across the country about their experiences and what needed to change.
21
6. Working to influence the systems around children and families
Inadditiontosupportingchildren,youngpeopleandfamiliesdirectlyduringthepandemic,we’veworkedwithourpartners,governments,andotherdecisionmakersacrosstheUKtoimplement policy measurestosupportvulnerablechildrenandfamilies.
Advocacy and campaigning for children’s rights in ScotlandInScotland,weworkedalongsidetheChildrenandYoungPeople’sCommissionertosuccessfullycampaignforanamendmenttolegislationtoclosealoopholewhichsaw16and17year-oldsbeingissuedwithFixedPenaltyNoticesforbreachesoflockdownrestrictions.
We’vealsosupportedthedevelopmentofguidanceforPoliceScotlandinrelationtoengagingwithchildrenandyoungpeopleduringCOVID-19restrictions.
Working collaboratively to address issues faced by vulnerable children in EnglandInEngland,togetherwithotherchildren’scharities,wesupportedacampaigntoextendfreeschoolmealsthroughthesummerholidays,andacampaigncallingforariseintherateofchildbenefit,asthemostefficientwayofreachingchildreninthemostvulnerablefamilieswiththewelfaresupporttheyneed.WealsoparticipatedinregulardiscussionshostedbytheDepartmentforEducation,workingcollaborativelyonsolutionstoissuesfacingvulnerablechildrenandyoungpeople,andpreparingforaneweraofchildren’sservicesbeyondthepandemic.
Influencing the Domestic Abuse Bill in EnglandWorkingwithpartnersinthesector,wesuccessfullyconvincedtheWestminsterGovernmenttoincludechildreninthenewlegaldefinitionofdomesticabuse.Withlockdownsresultinginsomechildrenbeingtrappedinunsafehomesasreportsofdomesticabuseskyrocketed,thisissueisnowevenmoreimportant.AstheBillcontinuesitspassagethroughtheUKParliamentwearecontinuingtomakethecaseforadutyonpublicauthoritiestoprovidecommunity-basedspecialistdomesticabuseservicesforallchildren,whethertheyliveinarefugeorafamilyhome.
Influencing mental health and wellbeing policy and practice AcrossallfournationsoftheUKwehavesharedwhatwehavelearnedabouttheimpactofCOVID-19onthementalhealthandwellbeingofchildren,andworkedwithpartnersandgovernmentstocallfortheimpactstobeprioritisedinschoolcurriculums,alongsidechild-centredguidance,andincreasedfundingformentalhealthsupportinschools.
22
7. Lessons for the future: Children’s Services 2.0
Thereareanumberofcruciallessonsfromthepandemicthatshouldinformhowwerespondtotheneedsofvulnerablechildrenandyoungpeopleinthefuture.Inmanycases,thecrisishasexacerbatedexistingchallengesandinequalitiesthatriskdeprivingchildrenofapositivefuture.
At Barnardo’s we don’t just want to work towards ‘recovery’, we want to aim for ‘resurgence’ – for a better system that delivers better outcomes for the next generation.
To achieve this vision of ‘children’s services 2.0’ we believe change must be driven by four key principles.
1. InnovationInresponsetotheuniquechallengesposedbyCOVID-19,Barnardo’sandothershaveinnovatedatspeed,inparticularacceleratingthedevelopmentofdigital-firstsolutions.Overallhowever,children’sservices(statutoryandvoluntary)lagbehindindigitalinnovation.Similarly,thechildrenandfamiliesaccessingchildren’sservicesoftenlivein‘digitalpoverty’,andlackkeyinfrastructuresuchasdevicesandaccesstodata.Embracingdigital-firstproductsandservicesasanintegralpartofthehealthandsocialcaresystemcouldhelptoincreasereach,deliverswiftandeasyaccesstosupport,managedemandandrespondtochildren’schangingneeds.
Inthecurrentcontextofincreasedneedandlimitedresource,wecannotaffordnottodothisalone.
WearethereforecallingontheUKGovernmenttoestablishan Innovation Fund forcharitiestodevelopdigital-firstinnovation.ThiswouldbeadministeredandfundedbytheGovernment.Theproposedvaluewouldbe£50-£100m,overthefirst3years.TheintellectualpropertyfromproductsandservicesdevelopedusingthisFundwouldbeownedbytheGovernmentandsharedacrossthesectortoavoidduplicationofpreciousresourcesatthisuniquelychallengingtime.
2. Working in PartnershipAnotherpositivedevelopmentfromCOVID-19hasbeentheflourishingofpartnershipworkingandarecognitionthatthescaleofthechallengesfacedaretoogreatforanyoneagencyalonetoaddress.OurSee, Hear, Respondprogrammehasdemonstratedthepossibilityofmovingpastthetraditional,transactionalapproachtocommissioningtoanewapproachbasedonco-production(inthiscasebetweenBarnardo’sandtheDfE).Ithasalsodemonstratedhowthecharitysectorcanworkdifferentlytogetherbyformingpartnerships(inourcasewithmorethan80largeandsmallercharities).Thisapproachhasallowedustoidentifyandsupportthousandsofvulnerablechildrenatriskofbeing‘hidden’fromservices,includingfromBlack,Asianandethnicminoritycommunities.
Wearethereforecallingfora‘reset’intherelationshipbetweenGovernment,commissionersandcharities.Aswithinnovation,inthecontextofgrowingdemandanddepletedresource,wesimplycan’taffordnottodothingsdifferently.
23
3. Long-term thinking and investment
Transformingoutcomesforvulnerablechildrencannotbeachievedthroughshort-terminterventions.Itiswidelybelievedthatearlyinterventionismosteffective,butyearsofshortterm(andreduced)fundinghasdrivenlocalauthoritiestofocusresourceonchildrenwhoarealreadyexperiencingharm.Localauthorityspendingonearlyinterventionservicesforchildrenandyoungpeoplefell46%intheeightyearsto2018/19.Tohaveanyhopeofmakingprogressin‘levellingup’,wehavetochangethis.Recognisingthetimeandcommitmentrequiredtotackleentrenchedinequalityanddisadvantage,Barnardo’shasa10yearstrategicpartnershipinLeicestershire,andsevenyearcommitmentswithPlymouthandEssex.
WecallontheGovernmenttomovetowardslonger-term investment in vital services for children and specifically to fund earlier intervention–withaclearcommitmentinthenextmulti-yearspendingreview.
4. Co-production with children and young people Toooftendecisionsthatprofoundlyaffectchildrenandyoungpeoplearemadewithouttheirvoiceorinvolvement.DuringtheCOVID-19crisiswehavecalledforunder-18stobepermittedtoaskquestionsatGovernmentpressbriefingsandtomaketheirviewsknowndirectlytoMinisters.Thedisruptiontoexamsanduncertaintyaboutuniversityplacesinthesummerhighlightedtheimpactofthepandemiconyoungpeoplewhooftenfeltpowerlessindecisionsdirectlyaffectingtheirfuture.Co-productionwithchildrenandyoungpeoplenotonlyaccordsrespectbut,webelieve,wouldalsoresultinbetterdecisionmaking.Itwouldalsohelpthosewhoaretooyoungtovotetofeellikeempoweredcitizens.Forvulnerablechildren,includingthosewhodonothavefamilieswhocanadvocateforthem,thereisanevenstrongerimperativetoprovideopportunitiesforco-production.TheGovernmenthasanopportunitytoputthisintopracticewiththeforthcomingreviewofthecaresystem.
24
References1. ONS(2020)Coronavirus and the latest indicators for the UK economy and society: 18 June 20202. TheParliamentaryReview(2020)Chancellor’s £2 billion “kickstart scheme” to be set out on Wednesday.8July20203. DWP(2020)Households below average income (HBAI) statistics.26March20204. Parkes,H.&McNeil,C.(2020)Estimating poverty impacts of the coronavirus pandemic: Microsimulation Estimates.
InstituteforPublicPolicyResearch5. Andrew,A.,Cattan,S.,Costa-Dias,M.,Farquharson,C.,Kraftman,L.,Krutikova,S.,Phimister,A.&Sevilla,A.(2020)
Learning during the lockdown: real-time data on children’s experiences during home learning.IFSBriefingNoteBN2886. Sharp,C.,Nelson,J.,Lucas,M.,Julius,J.,McCrone,T.&Sims,D.(2020)Schools’ responses to Covid-19. The
challenges facing schools and pupils in September 2020.NationalFoundationforEducationalResearch7. TheFood Foundation (2020) Demand for free school meals rises sharply as the economic impact of covid-19 on
families bites.October20208. Maddison,F.(2020)A lifeline for our children: Strengthening the social security system for families with children
during this pandemic.JosephRowntreeFoundation&SaveTheChildren9. Ipsos(2020)Covid-19 Consumer Tracker Waves 1 and 2. FoodStandardsAgency10.Henehan,K.(2020)Class of 2020: Education leavers in the current crisis.ResolutionFoundation11.CostaDias,M.,Joyce,R.&NorrisKeiller,A.(2020)COVID-19 and the career prospects of young people. IFSBriefing
NoteBN299.InstituteforFiscalStudies12.Gustafsson,M.(2020)Young workers in the coronavirus crisis. Findings from the Resolution Foundation’s
coronavirus survey.ResolutionFoundation13.Brewer,M.&Handscomb,K.(2020)All together now? The impacts of the Government’s coronavirus income support
schemes across the age distribution. ResolutionFoundation14.Barnardo’s(2020)Generation lockdown: a third of children and young people experience increased mental health
difficulties.30June202015.YoungMinds(2020)Coronavirus: Impact on young people with mental health needs. Survey 2: Summer 202016.Montacute,R.(2020)SOCIAL MOBILITY AND COVID-19. Implications of the Covid-19 crisis for educational
inequality. TheSuttonTrust17.ONS(2019)Exploring the UK’s digital divide.4March201918.ChildPovertyActionGroup(2020)The cost of learning in lockdown: Family experiences of school closures19.LocalGovernmentAssociation(2020)Children’s social care referrals fell by a fifth during lockdown.7Sept202020.ChildPovertyActionGroup(2020)Child Poverty Facts and Figures21.ONS(2020)Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths by ethnic group, England and Wales: 2 March 2020 to
10 April 202022.Intensivecarenationalaudit&researchcentre(2020)COVID-19 Report23.Kooth(2020)Week 14: How Covid-19 is Affecting the Mental Health of Young People in the BAME Community.
June202024.Kooth(2020)Week 14: How Covid-19 is Affecting the Mental Health of Young People in the BAME Community.
June202025.Fancourt,D.,Bu,F.,Mak,H.W.&Steptoe,A.(2020)Covid-19 Social Study: Results Release 15.1July2020.UCL26.Mind(2020)The mental health emergency: How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted our mental health?27.Platt,L.&Warwick,R.(2020)Are some ethic groups more vulnerable to Covid-19 than others?Institutefor
FiscalStudies28.Maddison,F.(2020)A lifeline for our children: Strengthening the social security system for families with children
during this pandemic.JosephRowntreeFoundation&SaveTheChildren29.Maddison,F.(2020)A lifeline for our children: Strengthening the social security system for families with children
during this pandemic.JosephRowntreeFoundation&SaveTheChildren30.Judge,L.&Rahman,F.(2020)Lockdown Living. Housing quality across the generationsResolutionFoundation31.Judge,L.&Rahman,F.(2020)Lockdown Living. Housing quality across the generations ResolutionFoundation32.Luthra,R.&Nandi,A.(2020) Is hate crime rising during the Covid-19 crisis? InstituteforSocialand
EconomicResearch33.Barnardo’sSee, Hear, Respond Support Hub34.Barnardo’s(2020)Barnardo’s Commitment to Tackling Racism.June202035.Barnardo’s(2020)The Big Barnardo’s Conversation36.Sewel,K.,Harvey-Rolfe,L.&Stagg,E.(2020) Devalued by Forces Beyond Your Control: Experiences of COVID-19
lockdown restrictions and visions for the future from young people who are supported by Barnardo’s.Barnardo’s37.Barnardo’s(2020)Mental Health and Covid-19: In Our Own Words.Barnardo’s38.Barnardo’s(2020)Virtual conversations with MPs and young people supported by Barnardo’s
©Barnardo’s,2021Allrightsreserved
Nopartofthisreport,includingimages,maybereproducedorstoredonanauthorisedretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,withoutpriorpermissionofthepublisher.
Allimagesareposedbymodelsandnameshavebeenchangedtoprotectidentities.
barnardos.org.ukBarnardo HouseTannersLane,Barkingside,Ilford,EssexIG61QG.02085508822.
Barnardo’sRegisteredCharityNos.216250andSC037605
2195
3H
21
Top Related