Concerns raised about children’s social development in wake of pandemic
70% of families surveyed in NI say they're worried about this
Seven in 10 parents across Northern Ireland are worried the Covid-19 pandemic will have an impact on their children’s social development, a new survey has found.
A report by the charity Home-Start UK polled 150 families across the country and found 1 in every 2 (52%) are also concerned about their own wellbeing or mental health in the year ahead.
The report entitled, Home Is Where We Start From, was produced by the organization following their research to measure the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has had on parents of young families.
It revealed that families are facing unprecedented challenges, with the pandemic acting both as a magnifier of existing disadvantage, as well as putting hard working families under increased financial pressure.
Combined with concerns around their children’s social development, families are worried about the future as the country emerges from lockdown.
Donna Kirk, a mum of three from Newry, is still reeling from the impact the pandemic has had on her family.
She said: “Before the pandemic we were already financially stressed. Lockdown nearly tipped us over the edge. When my daughter got COVID at school we had to shield for two weeks with no pay.
“It was a massive blow to our finances and we’re still trying to recover.
“If it wasn’t for Home-Start connecting us to grants for our gas and electric, and providing food, I honestly think we would have gone under.
“It affected my husband’s mental health and he felt helpless and unable to provide for his family. It seemed so unfair there was no support for people who work but were prevented from working because of COVID.
“During lockdown we’ve tried to keep our worries and anxiety from the children, but I see how it’s affected their development, especially my two-year-old.
“He’s not used to playing with children his own age.
“Being at home is all he is familiar with.
“At the time I thought the kids seemed okay, especially my older ones, but seeing their excitement and relief about going back to school made me realise they were perhaps not as happy at home as I thought. Children need to be with their friends and learning.”
Following the publication of the findings the group has called on the NI Executive to look at “systemic investment to redress the disparity, with a focus on building on the strength and resilience of local families and communities navigating unprecedented challenges.”
Jayne Murray, Northern Ireland Director, Home-Start UK said: “For many local families, the daily grind of worries about putting food on the table, heating the house and providing basic items for their children have been their primary concern, and those worries won’t go away.
“We fully support the Executive’s commitment within the Programme for Government that every child should have the best start in life but are deeply concerned this outcome is at significant risk unless Northern Ireland COVID catch up funding focuses on these families.
“What happens next must reflect the impact of the pandemic and use the groundswell of awareness around struggling families to bring about change. There is not just a moral imperative for this but an economic one too.
“Investment in early years has been shown time and again to be a wise use of public funds, saving future spending by avoiding costs to the public purse that arise from poorer life outcomes. Making a difference for families makes a difference for society.”
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