The warning vulnerable children in Cornwall are more at risk during lockdown
It's feared additional unemployment and money problems could see an increase in abuse and neglect
The councillor in charge of children’s services has outlined how vulnerable children could be at more risk during the coronavirus lockdown.
Sally Hawken, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for children, schools and families, highlighted the issues in an update to councillors.
Her briefing to the council’s children and families overview and scrutiny committee explained that council staff were working to continue providing help during lockdown.
“Together for Families provide essential Early Help, Education, children’s health and wellbeing and children’s social care services to fulfil the council’s statutory duties to the most vulnerable children and families and essential services will be maintained throughout lockdown.”
Cllr Sally Hawken, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for children, schools and families
But she warned that the impact that Covid-19 was having on families and employment could create additional problems.
“The third lockdown is likely to have a significant detrimental impact on the most vulnerable families and lead to additional unemployment and money problems.
"This is proven to increase abuse and neglect and lead to additional demands and costs for children’s services.”
Cllr Hawken
She also said that issues with finding placements for children in care were also increased during the current lockdown period.
“The existing challenges in identifying independent fostering and residential care placements when required are likely to be amplified- it is likely that placements will be harder to find and higher cost.
"This is likely to be the most difficult for children with the most complex needs and require specialist care.”
Cllr Hawken
The Cabinet member also highlighted the work being done by schools which, while closed to the majority of children, remain open for children of keyworkers and vulnerable children.
However, she said that the number of children in schools in Cornwall during the current lockdown was significantly higher than when schools last closed to the majority of children last March.
Cllr Hawken said that there were currently 13.4% of children in schools – during the last lockdown in March there were around 1.6%.
“Schools are now partially closed and whilst open to critical workers and vulnerable children, are experiencing some difficulties matching the resource to the demand. Risk assessments are being reviewed to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.
“All schools have remote learning in place and the education teams are working with schools to ensure this is of a high quality. For some families, access to digital devices or broadband is a limitation, and for this lockdown, these children and young people are classed as vulnerable.”
Cllr Hawken
She said that while the council understood the need for critical workers to send their children to school there were some workers who were able to work from home.
She said that “a sympathetic approach is needed” when deciding whether to send children to school during lockdown.