This report by the House of Lords Public Services Committee found that hundreds of thousands of “invisible” children are falling through gaps between social and education services across England.
Disadvantaged and vulnerable children face a higher risk of abuse and dropping further behind due to Covid-19 school closures, the committee has said.
Just one in 10 children classed as vulnerable attended school or early years education during lockdown, the committee heard, their predicament made worse by fewer home visits by social workers due to Covid-19.
Peers found that disadvantaged and vulnerable children “face more risk of abuse and dropping further behind due to Covid-19 school closures”.
Fewer home visits by social workers due to Covid made the situation worse and there was not enough support for prevention and early intervention services. The report also insisted that the “fight against health inequality” should be Government priority and that good work “will be lost” without fundamental reform.