Pandemic likely to have profound impact on vulnerable children

A new report from the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) and Action for Children reveals serious concerns among children’s sector professionals about the impact the coronavirus crisis has had on vulnerable children and families, and the knock-on effect for early help services.

The research, based on interviews with a range of professionals delivering local early help services between March and May 2020, found school closures, social distancing and lockdown measures have seriously affected the ability of services to support children and families at the time when they needed it most.

The research found that whilst there was an overall sense of professionals and communities pulling together in an extraordinary effort to protect vulnerable children and support families during the crisis, the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable children and families is likely to be profound.

Dr Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive at EIF, said: “This work is important to our understanding of the pressures public services face, and how the country can navigate this recovery phase. The lockdown has had a negative impact on children and families, especially those that were struggling before the coronavirus hit.

“We know there will be lots of calls for additional funding, including – rightly – for children’s social care and other acute services. But early intervention has a crucial role to play in providing support to a wider group of families and children wrestling with a wide range of problems in the wake of the lockdown.”

Eleanor Briggs, Head of Policy and Research at Action for Children, said: “The coronavirus crisis has exploded into the lives of vulnerable families after a decade of decline in central government funding for early help services that are designed to give all children the best start in life.

“Our findings echo widespread fears across the children’s sector that our already hollowed-out services won’t be able to cope with further demand created by the pandemic. The right thing to do for children and young people is for the government to invest in early help services now, ensuring families get help before they reach crisis point.”