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Struggling parents glad summer holidays are almost over, Barnardo’s finds

 

Parents are breathing a sigh of relief now the end of the school holidays is in sight, a survey by Barnardo’s reveals today.

 

Research undertaken by the UK’s largest children’s charity highlights how instead of being an idyllic six weeks it has been a difficult time for many.

 

In the poll more than 200 staff members (216) said families they were working with were worried about the summer holidays, with almost 80 per cent of these reporting that money was one of the biggest concerns.

 

Their worries included having to find the funds to provide additional meals for their children who would normally receive free school meals, and feeling the pressure of having to pay for activities and outings.

 

A lack of support services and childcare were the next biggest concerns for families, according to the children’s services staff who took part in the Barnardo’s survey.

 

The staff report that having to juggle work and childcare places significant strain on families already struggling and sometimes leads to parents leaving their place of work, adding to the financial, emotional and psychological stress on the family.

 

And they also said families with children with special educational needs struggled to get childcare or find activities suitable for their loved ones of the summer break.

 

The summer holiday was made easier for the families of 50,000 disadvantaged children who were offered free meals and activities over the six week break in clubs across England, funded by £9.1m from the Department for Education.

 

Barnardo’s wants this scheme to be extended next year.

 

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said:

 

“School holidays should be a magical time for children where they can have fun experiences and make memories to last a lifetime.

 

“But instead too many children will go back to school with memories about their parents being stressed about the impact the six weeks off has had on their families, not just financially but emotionally.

 

“With all the pressure of school for today’s children, every child has the right to have a healthy and happy summer break. I’m encouraged by the Government’s free summer schemes and serious consideration needs to be given to extending these further next year.”

 

Notes to editors

 

Barnardo’s was selected as one of the co-ordinators for this year’s Department for Education funded summer holiday programme, ensuring children in Leicestershire had a happy and healthy school break.

 

About the survey

406 Barnardo’s staff from its services across the UK responded to survey questions on school holidays.

 

They were asked a series of questions including on how the families they are working with are feeling about the school holidays.

 

When asked ‘Are you working with families who are worried about the school holidays?’ 53.2% (216) said yes, 25.86% (105) said no, and 20.94% (85 respondents) said they did not know.

 

When asked ‘what are their main concerns’: 78.97% said money, 64.02% said lack of support services, 62.15% said childcare, 61.21% said nothing to do, 59.81% said lack of routine, 27.57% said loneliness and 16.82% said other – with reasons given including increased stress/ mental health issues and concerns about safety.

  

Contact: 24 hour press office number 020 8498 7555 

 

Contacts

Robert Fisk

robert.fisk@barnardos.org.uk

Barnardo’s Head Office| Tanners Lane| Barkingside| Essex| IG6 1QG

Phone: 020 8498 7696 Mobile: 07736 496753