A new service to help vulnerable children and young people who don't meet usual social care thresholds has been launched by a coalition of charities.
Led by Barnardo’s, the new See, Hear, Respond service will provide support to children who are falling through the cracks and not receiving support from statutory organisations.
Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said: 'Children have too often been unseen and unheard during this crisis and they risk becoming the forgotten victims.
'This initiative is a vital lifeline for the hundreds of thousands of children and young people as we navigate the pandemic and its aftermath, helping to improve their long-term outcomes so they can have successful futures.'
A survey by the charity found nearly half (45%) of its front line workers have seen a decrease in referrals to their services during the pandemic. Nearly one in ten (8%) said lockdown had led to a vulnerable child or young person being turned away from the support they need.
