'Act now' to prevent lost generation of children, charity warns

A new report by Buttle UK showed that many families living in poverty cannot cope with home schooling and are not set up with the technology to make it work. If nothing is done, the charity warns, it will only increase the digital divide and lead to greater inequalities.

Researchers spoke to support workers across the country, who also reported a surge in behaviour problems and family issues among children living in poverty during the pandemic.

Worryingly, 15 per cent of respondents said children had not been home-schooled at all during the lockdown period.

Around three in four frontline workers report a greater need for mental health support (77 per cent), more behaviour issues (75 per cent) and difficulties in parent-child relationships (74 per cent). Struggling to afford basics such as food, and parents not having any down time away from their children, has led to “increased tensions in many families,” the report warns.

More than a third (36 per cent) of respondents said there would be barriers around getting back into a structured routine,

Buttle UK is calling for longer term solutions to the “digital divide”, as well as support for children which looks beyond catching up academically and focuses on young people’s wellbeing.

The charity’s chief executive, Joseph Howes said: “For many children and young people, the pandemic has only amplified the difficulties that already existed in their lives, increasing their isolation and forcing them to spend many hours in homes that lack the bare essentials and comforts most of us take for granted. So many are not getting their basic needs met.

“We know that whilst the Government cannot do everything, it can show leadership and put children at the heart of the recovery. But if we are going to make a dent in these seemingly intractable issues, we must act now to prevent a lost generation.”

A Government spokesperson said: “The safety and wellbeing of the most vulnerable children remains our priority, with schools, nurseries and colleges staying open to them throughout the pandemic and social workers working hard to support them.

"We know that being in the classroom is often the best place for these children, which is why - ahead of the full return in September - we have invested in mental health charities to reach those most in need, prioritised wellbeing in our guidance for schools, announced £1 billion to tackle the impact of lost teaching time and launched the Covid Summer Food Fund to help families eligible for free school meals over the school holiday.

“We are also expanding the number of social workers placed in hundreds of schools to help teachers identify children at risk, and have invested over £100 million in remote education, including for devices and routers that help vulnerable children keen in contact with schools and social workers.”