Routine protective measures in schools, early learning and childcare (ELC) settings and daycare of children's services: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

2. What impact will your policy/measure have on children's rights?

The recent Public Health Scotland Impact Report proposed recommendations and a range of mitigating actions as part of the wider programme to address the impact of COVID-19 on children, young people and their families. Aligning to wider societal and workplace routine protective measures will have a positive impact on children's rights where it relates to self-isolation, physical distancing, face coverings, contact tracing and asymptomatic testing. It will allow children to have a more 'normal' experience as we move into the next phase of our response and management of COVID-19.

Aligning self-isolation to routine protective measures in society and workplaces (Safe: Articles 34, 35, 36) (Healthy: Articles 6, 24) (Achieving: Articles 18, 28) (Active: Articles 31) (Responsible: Articles 12) (Included: Articles 6, 23)

Relaxation of self-isolation restrictions, accompanied by the remaining public health measures will, overall and in the long term impact positively on children's rights.

Easing physical distancing and aligning to routine protective measures in society and workplaces (Healthy: Articles 24) (Achieving: Articles 18, 28, 29) (Nurtured: Articles 5, 18) (Active: Articles 31) (Respected: Articles 12, 18) (Responsible: Articles 12) (Included: Articles 6, 18, 23)

In wider society it will remain important to be cautious and exercise personal responsibility, recognising that, where possible and especially during outbreaks, it is safer to keep a distance from other people.

For ELC-aged children it is important to feel secure and receive warmth and physical contact that is appropriate to their needs, especially when they are receiving personal care, need comforting or reassurance.

Alignment of physical distancing measures to wider national advice will ensure that ELC, daycare of children's services and school-aged children continue to access high quality childcare and learning.

Adjustment of contact tracing and asymptomatic testing to align with routine protective measures in society and workplaces (Healthy: Articles 6, 24) (Achieving: Articles 18) (Nurtured: Articles 18) (Included: Articles 6, 23)

It is recognised that making these changes to protection measures results in a change in risk, which may impact on some children more than others and that some children or young people will feel more anxious than others, resulting in disproportionate impacts on these individuals. However, these impacts need to be balanced against any intended positive impact on the health and wellbeing of children. The regularly reviewed and updated guidance for schools and childcare services has helped to keep the transmission within these settings low.

Alignment of contact tracing and testing programmes with wider national advice will ensure that ELC and school-aged children continue to access high quality childcare and learning with minimal disruption.

Careful consideration has been given to any potential impacts on children and young people in respect of direct health harms, educational continuity or anxiety as a result of the ending of the asymptomatic testing programme for secondary pupils in schools. The overall judgement of public health advisers and senior clinicians is that any benefits of retaining regular asymptomatic testing in secondary schools would not outweigh the disadvantages at this stage in the pandemic. We propose to help mitigate any impacts in respect of anxiety by ensuring appropriate communications around the strong public health basis for the decision, and setting out clear advice on how to minimise risks as we move into a new phase of the pandemic.