A CHARITY based in Finsbury Park is calling on the government to give some of its £200million catch-up money to social and emotional support and mentoring.

The government’s catch-up programme focuses on help with academic work but Geethika Jayatilaka, chief executive of Chance UK in Fonthill Road, says this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Ms Jayatilaka says support is vital for Year 6 pupils making the transition to secondary school – otherwise there is a danger more of them may drop out or adapt worse than normal due to added pressures of Covid.

“Year 6 children will have had a long period of disruption this year in particular, they will have missed out on even really basic things like going to visit secondary schools,” she said.

“It feels like this year more than ever, the focus on the social and emotional side of things is really going to be critical to making that transition work.”

Studies show the effect of Covid lockdowns on the mental health of children at primary age could present problems to do with attention and behavioural difficulties.

Services such as Child and Adult Mental Health Services have also seen an increase in demand since the pandemic hit.
Ms Jayatilaka said: “There can be anxieties about being in lockdown and under restrictions but also even from the easing of restrictions. I think, given what we’ve all been through, there are many children who will need a bit of time to think through what’s happened and have a safe space to process all of it.”

Chance UK works with schools, parents and children and provides workshops and mentoring to help improve the life chances of young people.

Children in the borough received offers from secondary school last month. The charity already runs mentoring for Year 6 pupils in Islington and workshops in schools to help young people think about what to expect in secondary schools and strategies to deal with change.

Ms Jayatilaka added: “If you have good early intervention, and you put the right support in place, children can be supported to make that change in secondary school a really positive one.”

For more information about Chance UK call 020 7281 5858 or email admin@chanceuk.com