Children: Coronavirus

(asked on 29th April 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the loss of access to public library computer terminals during the covid-19 outbreak on the (a) education and (b) mental wellbeing of autistic children and young dependent adults from households with no access to a computer or smartphones.


Answered by
Vicky Ford Portrait
Vicky Ford
This question was answered on 11th May 2020

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, access to a digital device is important to enable children and young people to access education provision and support. We recognise that they can also be an important means of young people maintaining connections with others, accessing sources of support and for maintaining wellbeing. Access to a digital device can often be particularly valuable for autistic children and young people and we appreciate the challenges for those who usually access a device in the community or at their education setting.

The government has announced measures to provide laptops and tablets and connectivity support for disadvantaged children and young people who do not currently have access to them. This includes disadvantaged Year 10 pupils, care leavers, and children with a social worker. People aged 16 to 19 without a suitable device for education will be eligible for support through the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund. Further detail on these measures can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-technology-for-remote-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

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