Young carers in Sheffield are struggling with home schooling during lockdown

The loss of school routines, having no respite and worrying about their parents catching Covid have impacted heavily on them.

Eleanor Rutter, consultant in public health, says: “School is often a place of respite from caring responsibilities.

“These children will have found it more challenging to try to balance the demands of home learning with their caring responsibilities.

“They may not have an extensive and strong friendship group to rely on due to time spent on their caring responsibilities and as a result may feel more isolated than other children.

“And they may have experienced increased stress and anxiety due to the fact that their relatives are much more likely to be shielding.”

Ms Rutter says young carers whose parents have disabilities or respiratory problems may be at higher risk of not returning to school and schools should give them extra reassurance and help.

The report found children in general were suffering during lockdown

It adds: “It is highly likely that the crisis has had an impact on the emotional and mental health of children with increased anxiety, bereavement, depression or PTSD.

“Children who have lost relatives to Covid-19 or have parents who have seen their employment status change are at greater risk.

“Lockdown is likely to have led to an increase in stress within families and incidents of domestic abuse, further contributing to a likely rise in the above issues.

“Children are also likely to have spent an increased time on social media, potentially exacerbating existing social issues, stress and anxiety associated with this.”

The report says there should be more access to counselling and online mental health services which are easy and quick to find and practical self-help such as exercise and taking time to talk to friends and family should be promoted.

Schools should also adopt more flexible behaviour policies to prevent needless exclusions when pupils return.