£7 million for vulnerable children’s charities

The government has announced that a ‘coalition of charities’ will help vulnerable children most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic as part of a Department for Education programme.

In total, more than £7 million will fund the launch of the See, Hear, Respond service, to provide targeted help to vulnerable children, young people and their families affected by the virus and the measures put in place to stop its spread.

Led by Barnardo’s, the coalition will work alongside local authorities, schools and colleges, police forces, healthcare professionals and other vital services involved in protecting these children. Barnardo’s will work in partnership with other national children’s charities as well as community-based organisations to provide solutions to the challenges facing children and families that may have been exacerbated by the unique circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic.

Vicky Ford, Children and Families Minister, said: “We all have a collective responsibility to protect children and young people who face challenges in their home lives, or who may not have the same support network keeping them safe outside of school or college as their peers. Many of them may be at additional risk from abuse, neglect or exploitation during these unprecedented times.

“By working with charities directly supporting these young people on the front line, we can expand their reach to provide a much wider safety net to those in need of mental health support, counselling or protection from people trying to exploit them, as well as helping to get them safely back into education.”