Compulsory survey issued by Children’s Commissioner

Dame Rachel De Souza has used her statutory powers to ask every school in England about their provision for and the barriers to supporting pupils. The survey, which will run until the 20th December, has been commissioned to provide up-to-date information from which children’s experiences can be gleaned and then the commissioner will use this to formulate her recommendations to the new government.

Part of the survey will ask about the provision of such additional services as breakfast clubs, food banks, wraparound childcare and free holiday activities. Other questions will focus on whether schools employ staff in addition to teachers, such as counsellors, psychologists and therapists. Leaders will be asked if there are “barriers” to providing additional support for pupils, such as parent and carer engagement, funding availability, lack of local services, policy at academy trust or national level or staff capacity.

The Commissioner’s office have made it clear that there will be no penalties for non-completion though they will chase those schools that have not submitted to ensure they have the fullest picture possible.