Children’s Commissioner for Wales (Survey for Children and Young People - Coronavirus and Me)

Following the success of the first survey of its kind in the UK last year, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales is today launching another listening exercise, asking Wales’ children and young people for their current views and opinions of the effect of the pandemic on various aspects of their lives.

Working with the Welsh Government, Children in Wales and Welsh Youth Parliament, nearly 24,000 responses were received to the first survey, which launched in May last year, the results of which have shaped decision-making by local governments and the Welsh Government. As restrictions continue, the Commissioner and partners are keen to hear children and young people’s first-hand views on key themes and issues including their health and wellbeing, education, the impact on social aspects of their lives and the needs of specific groups.

The results of the ‘Coronavirus and Me’ consultation will be made available to Welsh Government ahead of the 3-week review in mid-February, which is likely to be considering next steps on restrictions on schools, colleges, sport and leisure facilities and rules for social gatherings – all of which have enormous impacts on children and young people’s lives.

The survey has been developed and tested with children and young people.

We need your help to ensure that as many children as possible have a chance to have their say.

The survey is here. We'd expect it to take children 15 minutes to complete and they can do it on any device by following the link. It’ll be open until 29 January 2021.

How to use the survey:

• Send the survey as a home learning task for your pupils to complete by 29 January.
• For those children who you know might not have the internet at home, we're hoping you might be able to find the time to do the survey with them over the phone during any regular check-ins you're already doing. It would mean the member of staff opening the survey and inputting the answers as they're given over the phone.
• The web survey has three options: one for children aged 7-11; one for young people aged 12-18; and one accessible survey that uses widget symbols to support the text. Your pupils can choose the right one for them. All three surveys have the same link.
• We've also given the option for foundation phase children to complete a picture or write a message to have their say. You might also decide that this is an accessible option for some pupils in other age groups too.

You can choose the best way for you to share with parents or pupils, but please feel free to use this text:

People who can make a difference to your life want to hear from you about how life has been like over the last few weeks. Sally Holland, the Children's Commissioner, is one of those people.

She wants to know about any worries you have, how you've been spending your time, and also about the things that have made you happy.

Sally has been working with the Welsh Government, to make sure that they hear and listen to what you have to say. Sally wants to make sure they are doing their best for all children and young people in Wales. It will also help them to make sure that they are giving you the information and support you need to feel as happy as possible during this time and afterwards.

The survey should take you around 15 minutes.

Please share your views by following this link: www.childcomwales.org.uk/coronavirusandme