Consultation display

The Children, Young People and Education Committee explored how the outbreak of COVID-19 has affected all aspects of life for children and young people (including students in further and higher education).

A child-friendly version of this call for views was available.

We considered the impact of the outbreak and how it was being managed on children and young people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, their education and their social care. How the Welsh Government and its associated public bodies were dealing with the situation and its impact on relevant sectors and professions were also considered.

We were keen to hear from everyone involved in supporting children and young people across sectors, including – but not limited to - education, health, social care, and youth work. We also engaged directly with children and young people to ensure that their views were at the forefront of scrutiny.

As well as gathering public views, we undertook a series of one-off evidence sessions. Mindful of the pressures facing public services, we also used other evidence-gathering methods.

The Committee  were keen to consider the impact of Covid-19, and measures adopted to manage the pandemic, on the following areas:

• The physical and mental health of children and young people.
• Vulnerable and disadvantaged children (including pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, children in need, looked after children and children eligible for free school meals).
• Children’s services, including social care and safeguarding.
• Early childhood education and care, including impact on the childcare market and childhood development.
• Statutory school education, including arrangements for remote learning, continuity of learning, the impact on educational outcomes and the implementation of the critical workers policy.
• Exams and qualifications (including vocational qualifications).
• Higher and further education, including the financial sustainability of the sector, the effect of changes to courses, student accommodation and other student services, and the impact of this on students’ legal rights.
• Student financial support including the impact on students who have lost their part-time employment.
• Youth work.
• Support available for the workforce, including (but not limited to) health, social care, education, children’s services, and youth workers.
• Parents and carers.
• Children’s rights.