Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps local authorities have taken to identify the safeguarding risks to children not attending school during the covid-19 lockdown.

We know that, for many children, being in education is a protective factor from harm. We have therefore asked schools to remain open for children who are vulnerable, as well as for those children of workers critical to the COVID-19 response who absolutely need to attend.

For those children not attending education settings, we have provided guidance for parents and carers, which is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers.

We have published safeguarding advice to support schools and colleges, which is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers/coronavirus-covid-19-safeguarding-in-schools-colleges-and-other-providers.

We also recognise the importance of keeping children safe online. We have worked across government to produce guidance to support parents and carers to keep children safe from online harms, which is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-keeping-children-safe-online/coronavirus-covid-19-support-for-parents-and-carers-to-keep-children-safe-online.

Local authorities have the key day-to-day responsibility for delivery of children’s social care. We have established Regional Education and Children’s Teams (REACTs) to co-ordinate our work with local authorities, minimising the burden on the sector while we continue to support councils to deliver safe, effective services. Ofsted has redeployed HM Inspectors to provide on-the-ground, practical support to local authorities, and we have refocused the work of intervention commissioners and advisers to target support to local authorities in need.

The government is also making £1.6 million of funding available immediately for the NSPCC to expand and promote its national helpline for adults. Expanding the helpline will mean that many more adults know how and where to raise concerns and seek advice or support about the safety and well-being of any children they are worried about.

We continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.