Government urged to publish education catch-up plans before schools return in September

The Government has been urged to fast-forward plans for dealing with the impact of Covid on schoolchildren as parents fear the toll the pandemic has had on their children's mental and emotional state as well as their educational development.

In its latest back-to-school survey, Barnardos found more than half of parents are worried their children will not be able to access the supports they need when they go back to the classroom.