Read on Twitter
1/20 Our responses to COVID-19 has disproportionate impact on those children already most at risk. 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇺🇳" title="Flag of United Nations" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United Nations"> Committee on the Rights of the Child warns of grave physical, emotional and psychological effect on children and has called on States to protect all the rights of children.
2/20 Poverty is the biggest human rights issue in Scotland and the 240,000 children directly affected by poverty will feel the biggest impact. Families living with food insecurity rely on free school meals and breakfast clubs - these supports are not now all available.
3/20 Many children are living in substandard housing and are less likely to have private outdoor space for play and exercise or quiet indoor space for study and rest.
4/20 As we rely more on virtual environments for education, social time and to provide families support, we need to make sure that those who need to access it can. For many children that is not a reality, so we need to address the risks and consequences of digital exclusion.
5/20 Children are affected by parental mental health. Parents are under increased pressure through isolation, worry about paying bills/getting food, and trying to care for children and support their learning. Many supports from extended families and friends aren’t available.
6/20 Children and young people are struggling to access support for their own mental health, while many are being asked to take on additional responsibilities as carers for siblings or their parents.
7/20 Children and young people who are victims of domestic violence, abuse and neglect are at particular risk being confined within an unsafe household, with more limited access to support services and to those who might be able to identify and respond to that risk.
8/20 There are over 14,000 children who have formal arrangements of care and support in place, but the numbers receiving informal support are significantly higher. As universal supports in schools and communities are restricted many more families will need extra help.
9/20 There are nearly 200,000 children in Scotland who have additional support needs. Many families contacting our office are concerned at the lack of proper planning and support for children with complex needs and are feeling cut off as a result of the school closures.
10/20 Many of the protective factors that keep children safe are not available or under significant pressure due to the lockdown.
11/20 Schools don’t just provide education, they are safe places for children. Schools are community hubs, places where children play and socialise, and provide opportunities for families to seek and receive support and assistance from universal services.
12/20 Direct payments to families are essential to ensure access to food and to relieve pressure on household finances.
13/20 Teachers, social workers and charity and voluntary organisations are doing incredible work to try to support families, but this is becoming increasingly challenging as more staff have to take time off due to illness, self-isolation and care responsibilities.
14/20 It is essential to appreciate the importance of relationships of trust that key workers build up with children and families. We need to ensure regular contact with families and provide access to support they need, particularly if much of that is to be delivered online.
15/20 Given the reliance on technology we need to do more to combat digital exclusion by providing equipment and internet access. Some local authorities have been able to provide this. We need children across Scotland to have the same access, regardless of where they live.
16/20 In other countries IT companies have increased data allowances or waived limits. There needs to be a national commitment to ensuring digital access which is now essential. Scottish Government is working on this, but there is a long way to go.
17/20 The best support we can give to families is through trusted professionals who have built up positive relationships and who understand their needs. Local Authorities are working hard to adapt their provision and it is important that there is good communication with families.
18/20 The lockdown can’t be lifted until the medical advice tells us it is safe to do so. We need to prepare to support children and their families on the basis that lockdown may last for an extended period.
19/20 Throughout the lockdown we need to focus on supporting families and monitoring the impact on children and young people and as restrictions are lifted we need to ensure that children and young people are kept fully informed and are involved in the decision making.
20/20 The practical, emotional and psychological impacts on children of this period will be immense and are likely to last far beyond the end of the lockdown period. The more support we are able to provide now, the better prepared we will be to deal with the aftermath.
