Concern for children’s health due to increased screen time

  • There are calls for greater interactivity and outdoor exercise for children in a bid to mitigate short-sightedness
  • It comes as children spend more time online during the current coronavirus restrictions
  • Research has shown that website and app visits are up by more than 100% compared to this time last year
  • Experts say increased screen time is leading to bad sleeping habits
  • Read more here

Calls to NSPCC child welfare hotline rise during pandemic

  • Calls to the NSPCC’s child welfare hotline have risen by 53% during the Covid-19 pandemic
  • The charity says it’s recovering more than 30 calls per day from concerned adults, worried about children living with domestic abuse
  • The NSPCC is calling on the Government to make extra provisions for children in its Domestic Abuse Bill
  • Read more here

Children with special needs ‘falling through the gaps’ during lockdown

  • Families with children with special needs have claimed their kids are ‘falling through the gaps’ during this lockdown
  • They’ve told Sky News that  their children aren’t classed as ‘vulnerable enough’ to continue going to school
  • Children of key workers and those considered vulnerable can still go to school during England’s third national lockdown
  • Read more here

Family breakdowns during the pandemic increasing need for foster carers

  • Family breakdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic have increased the need for foster carers, according to a charity
  • The number of children referred to Barnardos Cymru fostering services rise by 30% year-on-year (April-December 2020)
  • The figures are being released as part of a fostering week campaign which starts today
  • Read more here