Sadly, for some children听the distress goes deeper. Not only has the virus itself exposed families to bereavement and loss, but also some children and young people have been trapped in households experiencing poverty, domestic abuse, neglect and sexual exploitation.
Barnardo鈥檚 Scotland has worked to provide children and families with a range of practical support. We even repurposed our Edinburgh headquarters, transforming it into 鈥淭he Wee Hub鈥, a place for recreational and emotional support for听vulnerable young people.
From our work, we know that school staff have faced many challenges in this extraordinary first full week back. Alongside ensuring pupils鈥 physical safety, staff will need to prioritise mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Prioritising pupil mental health and wellbeing
In May, Barnardo鈥檚 Scotland and Public Health Scotland launched a film, , drawing on the experiences of education staff. The film promotes some simple principles to help pupils find safety, belonging and connection. In this Covid-wary world, the need for relationship-based, trauma-informed and rights-based schools has never been more relevant.
First principle:听building is key. Allow children and young people to rebuild friendships, and gradually introduce other additional supports, so that the transition won鈥檛 feel as overwhelming. Create spaces to talk about the pandemic to help young people understand and express their feelings, deepening their understanding of themselves and others.
Second, . Slow down communication and ensure that all children and young people have a clear understanding of what will happen when they return to school. This can help to address worries or concerns.
Commit to .听As well as all the mechanisms schools already have in place to help pupils to manage distress, it鈥檚 important to ensure that there is a place in school where children can find a trusted adult to speak to if they need support.
Lastly, recognise that you . Educating our children and young people takes great personal resilience. Supporting distressed children can take a toll on school staff, and they, in turn, must receive good emotional support and time for reflection.
Many parents, teachers and young people will be understandably focusing this month on 鈥渃atching up鈥 with schoolwork and getting back to normal. But let鈥檚 not forget this crucial message: properly addressing children鈥檚 mental and emotional needs and helping them to adjust听to new ways of doing things are听essential for a successful return to school.
David Ferguson is assistant director (policy and听influencing) for听Barnardo鈥檚 Scotland
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