Connect Parent/Carer Survey: How are you doing?
Coronavirus / COVID-19
Connect's survey captures the experiences, concerns and fears of over 1500 parents and carers in Scotland during the first weeks of the coronavirus lockdown.
Key findings
• 59% of parents identified at least one concern or worry about the current situation. These concerns were wide-ranging and often multiple.
• The areas of concern for parents include: children ‘falling behind’ in their learning; concerns about the health and wellbeing of their children; concerns about a lack of friendship and social interaction; parents unable to support learning due to their own work commitments; children not engaging with work at home; a lack of equipment; a lack of communication from the school/nursery.
• Whilst over half of parents say that learning material is coming from teachers or schools, nearly 40% say that they are finding it themselves.
• Parents are generally confident about supporting their children in terms of health and wellbeing but less confident about supporting literacy and (to a greater extent) supporting maths.
• Requests for support focus on a range of measures including material to keep children occupied, useful online resources, tips on managing and planning the day, additional support for learning, clarity about expectations, consistency, IT equipment, worksheets and more.
Connect and parents/carers main ask to government:
"Our main ask is that parent are involved and consulted now and as plans develop for the recovery phase: nationally, at local authority and school level. Parents are absolutely central to what is happening currently and what happens next."
Other asks include: more support for vulnerable families; urgent support for families of children with additional support needs; more support to tackle digital exclusion and support families without access to expensive equipment, printers, fast broadband, suitable devices.
