Report highlights impact of Covid on those with SEND

A report by the National Children's Bureau (NCB) in Northern Ireland details the highs and lows of life during the pandemic for children and young people with disabilities, their families, and the practitioners who work with them.

This study was led by NCB in partnership with Mencap, SENAC (Special Educational Needs Advice Centre) and Specialisterne.

It found that as that many participants experienced a lack of support, which was especially apparent during the first lockdown before support ‘bubbles’ were permitted. During this time, families who had relied on paid carers coming into their homes to help look after their children were left unsupported as the carers were not allowed into the home.
    
The closure of schools was identified by some as being the measure that had the biggest impact. Parents and some young people reported mixed experiences of communication with, and support from, staff from schools, colleges and university during the first lockdown, when schools reopened and in the spring term following the Christmas holidays. For some, this was very positive with regular communication from teachers and schools but others reported very limited or almost non-existent communication.

Some parents and teachers reported that there either was a loss of learning and development or feared there would be for the children during the various lockdowns and in the intervening period while the children were at school, as schools were not operating as normal, but also had mitigations in place.

Some parents also commented on the mixed experience of support offered to their children regarding their development from other sources, outside of education, such as the Health and Social Care Trusts. Some parents reported a positive experience, even if there were limitations as to what they could offer.

Several participants in this study pointed out that the pandemic did not cause a lack of support for children with SEND, but rather exacerbated an already bad situation in relation to the lack of services and support to adequately meet their needs and the ongoing struggle faced by parents as a result.

The report recommends that when responding to emergencies such as a global pandemic, the government and its agencies need to consider and plan for the likely impacts on different sections of society, particularly those who are already vulnerable or who face significant challenges in society, including children with SEND and their families.