LISTEN: Adoption charity warns schools must be ready to support vulnerable children before re-opening

By Q Radio News

A charity is warning that schools must be prepared to support 'care experienced' children in Northern Ireland when they re-open. 

According to a new report published by Adoption UK - half of parents who responded said their child is experiencing emotional distress and anxiety.

Almost a third (31%) reported an increase in violence or aggression from their child.

NI director EJ Havlin says 85% of the most vulnerable pupils have not received any additional help since lockdown began. 

"Adoption UK is calling on the governments in all four nations of the UK to provide additional funding and resources to help schools support those children who will struggle most, when educational settings re-open," she said. 

"Care experienced children are among the most vulnerable in the country due to their traumatic start in life.

"But despite this, of those who are currently home-based during lockdown, 85% are not receiving any additional support in respect of their care-experienced status, the survey found."

Rebecca Brooks, author of the report, said children who have traumatic life experiences can find learning and mental health to be "a herculean struggle" during normal times, let alone during a global pandemic.

“School closures and lockdown are exacerbating learning and emotional problems, including an increase in violent behaviour," she added. 

"Schools are struggling to support their pupils with highest needs.

"This is why we’re urging the governments across the UK to provide schools with the funding they will desperately need to help these children with their return to school – supporting not only their learning, but also their wellbeing.”

The report also shows that some families with care-experienced children are clearly thriving during lockdown.

Around half of the respondents who completed the survey said their family relationships are improving and the same proportion of those parenting secondary aged children, said their children are calmer.

Primary school teacher Ruth adopted two siblings, aged four and five, just over two years ago. 

She says she's been home schooling for an hour each day and using the rest of the time to build healthy family bonds.