Coronavirus (COVID-19) reducing risks in schools guidance for back to school arrangements: children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment - August 2021

CRWIA Stage 1

Screening - key questions

1. Name the policy, and describe its overall aims.

Reducing risks in schools guidance for back to school arrangements - August 2021 as part of the COVID-19 education recovery process in Scotland.

This policy aims to support a safe return to school for all children, young people and staff from 11 August 2021. This assessment considers only school settings, as Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and childcare sector settings are being considered separately. It sits alongside the Reducing risks in schools guidance which sets out detailed guidance on the application of mitigations, and has been updated to take account of evolving knowledge and experience of dealing with the pandemic

2. What aspects of the policy/measure will affect children and young people up to the age of 18?

The Articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the child wellbeing indicators under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 apply to all children and young people up to the age of 18, including non-citizen and undocumented children and young people.

All elements of this policy will affect children and young people^[1] in Scotland who are registered at a local authority, independent or grant-aided school. They are generally between 5 and 18 years of age. The main consideration will be the impact of mitigations for the safe return to school in August 2021 for all pupils.

3. What likely impact – direct or indirect – will the policy/measure have on children and young people?

'Direct' impact refers to policies/measures where children and young people are directly affected by the proposed changes, e.g. education, child protection or looked after children (children in care). 'Indirect' impact refers to policies/measures that are not directly aimed at children but will have an impact on them. Examples include: welfare reforms, parental leave, housing supply, or local transport schemes.

The measures within this policy will all have a direct impact on all children and young people in Scotland who are registered at a local authority, independent or grant-aided school. The main themes to consider will be:

• The impact of mitigations for the safe return to school on pupils' health and wellbeing;^[2]
• The impact of mitigations for the safe return to school for disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils;
• The impact of mitigations for the safe return schools on all groups of pupils, but particularly those who are at highest clinical risk from COVID-19, or living with someone who is at highest risk.

4. Which groups of children and young people will be affected?

Under the UNCRC, 'children' can refer to: individual children, groups of children, or children in general. Some groups of children will relate to the groups with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010: disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. These groups have also been considered in the associated EQIA. 'Groups' can also refer to children by age band or setting, or those who are eligible for special protection or assistance: e.g. preschool children, children in hospital, children in rural areas, looked after children, young people who offend, victims of abuse or exploitation, child migrants, or children living in poverty.

All groups of children and young people will be affected by this policy. Particular consideration will be given to some groups, including those:

• with additional support needs who may not be receiving the additional support they usually receive whilst learning at school;
• learners at highest clinical risk from COVID-19 and/ or who have underlying health conditions; and
• who experience disadvantage

5. Will this require a CRWIA?

Explain your reasons.

Yes. This policy area requires a CRWIA to be completed due to the impact of all areas of the policy on all children and young people in Scotland.

CRWIA Declaration

Tick relevant section, and complete the form.

CRWIA required: X

CRWIA not required:

Authorisation

Policy lead: Name, title, division (or equivalent)

Learning Directorate: Covid-19 Education Recovery Group Secretariat

Date: 4 Aug 2021

Deputy Director or equivalent: Name, title, division (or equivalent)

Andrew Drought and Sam Anson

Deputy Director, Covid Education Strategy and Recovery Division

Date: 4 Aug 2021