By Colin Anderson
THE impact of Covid-19 on world economies has been well documented and both UK and Scottish governments have taken unprecedented steps to compensate businesses and some workers.
However, for those of working in child protection and family services, the Covid-19 crisis has only served to emphasise the split between haves and have-nots. Families who were already suffering from social and economic inequalities, particularly poverty and debt, may find it even more difficult to provide basic human needs in these calamitous times.
I was in a supermarket queue recently and heard a mother of three children complain that selfish hoarders had grabbed all the own-brand cheaper goods she usually relies on and as a result her weekly shopping bill had rocketed. Just one snapshot of how families living from week-to-week face real Covid-19 challenges on an already low income.
Given that the links between child poverty and neglect have been irrefutably evidenced, those of us working in child protection fear that the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak will place even more children at risk of neglect and abuse.
The Scottish Government’s own Independent Care Review highlights two elements of child poverty as being both structural and stressor. Lack of money undermines parents’ abilities to look after their children on a practical level, but poverty also causes stress which in turn affects parents’ ability to function.
Pre Covid-19 there was already growing concern that the Scottish Government was missing its own child poverty targets, by substantial margins. Now that we are heading towards the eye of the coronavirus storm, Child Protection Committees Scotland members fear for some children’s safety.
The additional strains of Covid-19-induced poverty, overlying as it does pre-existing health and social inequality stressors, will place families under tremendous stress, and inevitably lead to a significantly greater risk of child neglect and abuse. Add to that mix a projected increase in domestic abuse, the families being cooped up in what is often unsuitable accommodation, increased scope for criminal and sexual exploitation, and a reduction in frontline child protection services and staff, and an anxiety-inducing scenario unfolds. Children already identified as vulnerable will still receive some oversight from Covid-19 stretched local authorities, but there are many other “unseen” children who will be at increased risk of harm during this terrible time.
The onus of care has now shifted from schools and nurseries to local communities, and Child Protection Committees Scotland are urging everyone to keep their eyes and ears open. Local people always provide a significant layer of protection for children and that becomes even more important at a time when families may be under significant additional stress. If you see or hear something that just isn’t right, or you’re at all worried about a child’s welfare, it’s much better to say something than do nothing. You can call your local council’s social work department or the police on 101. If you think that a child is in immediate danger you should call 999 right away.
Between us, we can all play a part to keep Scotland’s children safe during Covid-19.
Colin Anderson is chair of Child Protection Committees Scotland’s Neglect Group
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