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The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children and young people

The pandemic had a devastating impact on children and young people and their families, including those children and young people who lost their lives, who lost people they loved, those now suffering from Long Covid, and those whose childhoods and adolescence were harmed in a way which has not yet been remedied.

In Module 8 of the Covid-19 Inquiry, the impact of the pandemic on children and young people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be examined. This will consider the impact on children across society, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and from a diverse range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. It will include an examination of the decision-making in numerous areas relating to children. The full scope, including child friendly versions, are available on the Covid-19 Inquiry’s website.  

Quote: “The lack of focus on the rights and interests of children during the pandemic was systemic. This was not an unfortunate oversight for which particular individuals bore responsibility. It resulted from a failure to embed the rights and interests of children in the centre of the machinery of government.” Steve Broach KC, Barrister representing Children’s Rights Organisations in Module 8

WHAT ARE WE HOPING TO ACHIEVE?

By participating in Module 8, we are hoping to build on the concerns expressed in Module 2 that the UK government’s response to the pandemic did not sufficiently consider the rights, best interests, welfare, health or wellbeing of children. 

We believe that the harm to children caused by the Covid-19 virus itself was exacerbated exponentially by the governmental response to the virus, which too often ignored or marginalized children’s rights and interests. This governmental response took away fundamental aspects of what it means to be a child.

We hope that, with the conversation on children’s rights during the pandemic in the public view, this gives an opportunity for the government to significantly invest in resources to improve life chances for the covid generation. We also recommend legislative change to incorporate children’s rights in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to fill the gap in the Equality Act that allows public bodies and service providers to discriminate against children on the grounds of age. 

The first preliminary hearing into Module 8, the Inquiry’s investigation into the impact of the pandemic on children and young people, took place on Friday 6 September. You can watch the recording of the hearing on the Covid-19 Inquiry YouTube channel and access the transcript on the COVID-19 Inquiry website. During this hearing, an announcement was made regarding the dates for the public hearings for this module. These will begin on Monday 29 September and will run for a period of 4 weeks.

 

THE LONG SHADOW OF COVID FOR CHILDREN

School closures are one intervention that had major negative effects upon education and childhoods with children living in poverty among those worst affected. 

This has continued to play out since the pandemic with lack of investment in school catch up and worsening rates of child poverty, with a significant impact on children’s education. There has been a two-fold increase in the number of children persistently absent since before the pandemic, which is three times higher for those receiving Free School Meals. Record numbers of children are also seeking support from mental health services. 

This is a direct consequence of the failure to adequately consider children’s rights and wellbeing during the pandemic, and to subsequently invest in a post pandemic education recovery plan. This has prevented the sector from meeting the needs of the thousands of children who suffered most from lost learning.

Drawing of stick figures holding a sign - "We are in this together. Stay home"

 

NEXT STEPS IN THE INQUIRY

The Inquiry will not sit until Autumn 2025, but we will be working until then to gather evidence, working with children, families and partners to ensure we are in a good position to contribute. If you have anything that could be useful to consider, please contact Lucy Williams L.Williams@savethechildren.org.uk. 

MORE INFORMATION

  • Save the Children’s overview of the inquiry
  • Oral Opening Statement on behalf of the Children’s Rights Organisations. Watch from 0:50 – 19:39
  • Oral Closing Statement on behalf of the Children’s Rights Organisations. Watch from 0:20 – 21:07

 

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