Charities will offer support to children suffering due to coronavirus pandemic

New research by children’s charity Barnardo’s has revealed more than a million British parents believe their children would benefit from seeking professional help.

More than half found it difficult to cope with their children during lockdown, with youngsters reportedly sleeping less, being frustrated and getting angry more easily.

Now help is available through the See, Hear, Respond Partnership, funded by a £7.2m grant from the Department for Education and led by Barnardo’s, working with 57 charities around the country.

Amanda Naylor, head of the partnership, said: “At the beginning of lockdown it became really apparent to Barnardo’s that there were significant numbers of children having a really adverse, negative mental health impact from the threat of Covid-19, the disruption to school and disruption to their peer and social networks. What we were seeing was really significant increases in anxiety and depression in children and young people and that was manifesting in all sorts of behaviour.”

Support will include group work for parents and children, counselling, online help and specialist practitioners giving face-to-face help. There will be limited financial support for families in crisis and youth workers reaching out to children in places such as parks.

Ms Naylor said: “There is no waiting list for this service, it’s open to any child experiencing any increased welfare concerns or anxieties. We really want to get in early and start to support these families that we know are going through difficult times both financially and emotionally.”

While the See, Hear, Respond Partnership is available to all young people, it will be targeted at certain groups.

Barnardo’s believes support may particularly be needed for under fives, those from black and minority ethnic groups, youngsters at risk of exploitation or abuse either inside or outside the home, children with disabilities, and those with caring responsibilities for adults.

Youngsters with autism may need help right now as they have had to adjust to changes in their routine and school closures, for example.

Ms Naylor said: “This is Barnardo’s way of reaching out to these young people at a really difficult time.”