Fighting the coronavirus crisis must not put children at risk, a group of charities has said

Children’s charities have stressed the importance of ensuring young people are supported through the coronavirus crisis.

Following the national emergency announced last night (Monday 23 March), eleven organisations have issued a joint statement.

Backed by charities such as the NSPCC, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and the Children’s Society, the statement says that keeping children safe must remain a priority.

The statement said: “We welcome the coming together of politicians, professionals and communities to do everything it takes to respond to this crisis. The measures announced by the Treasury last week, to protect jobs and those facing financial insecurity through the course of the pandemic, are also a major step in the right direction.

“However, we know that there is much more to be done in coming weeks and months to:

• Keep children and young people safe, whether they are continuing to attend school or staying at home particularly for those at risk of abuse or neglect and those with special educational needs;

• Protect children and families facing financial insecurity as a result of the crisis and to prevent child poverty reaching a record high – especially through ensuring that social security payments increase if earnings fall, that there is emergency financial support available for those who need and to guarantee that no child is left without a safety net.

• Support the mental health and wellbeing of all children through the crisis – particularly in the context of school closures and pressure on health services.

“The emergency legislation being passed this week is undoubtedly necessary given the scale of the crisis, but it must also be introduced in a way that reduces the unprecedented strains on families, which could compromise the welfare and wellbeing of children, and ensures that no child is left at risk or unnecessarily criminalised.”