Are the kids alright?
First published on 16 September 2021
- Children
- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Public Health Scotland (PHS) continues to work with partners in government, local government, the third sector and in communities, to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on children and families in Scotland and provide evidence to support ongoing measures to protect people’s health and wellbeing.
Between June and December 2020, PHS ran two national surveys to hear directly from the parents and carers of children aged 2–7 about how the pandemic had affected their families. These findings informed local and national policy and practice – for example decisions on the reopening of parks and not restricting the number of young children that could meet outdoors. PHS also learned about the experience of parents and carers during this time.
Since then Scotland has come through a second, longer lockdown and we continue to live with challenges to our wellbeing, including self-isolating and testing if we develop symptoms related to COVID-19.
PHS would like to find out about the experiences of more children, to know how things are for families now. The survey is running for a third time from 16 September, and it has been extended to parents/carers of a child from 0–11 years old.
Dr Megan Watson, Public Health Intelligence Adviser at PHS, said:
“Coronavirus hasn’t gone away. While we are living with fewer restrictions, we recognise it’s been a long journey over the past 18 months.
“Our babies have only ever experienced pandemic living. A 3-year-old starting nursery in 2021 will have spent half their life under pandemic restrictions. An 8-year-old in P4 won’t have experienced a full year at school since P1. These are stark examples of what it means for people after Scotland and the world was struck by COVID-19 last year.
“We are asking parents/carers of children aged 0–11 to complete the survey, even if they have completed them before. Knowledge of how families are doing now, and if they are continuing to be affected by the pandemic, will help public services to best meet the needs of children, and protect their learning and healthy development”.