More than 2,000 children and young people have shared their experiences with Scotland’s Inquiry into the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s Be Heard has also gathered the views of those working with children and young people during that extraordinary time.
Let’s Be Heard is the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s public participation project. The independent public inquiry is investigating the devolved strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022. It will establish the facts, identify lessons to be learned and make recommendations to Scottish Ministers, so Scotland is better prepared in future.
The views of children and young people were analysed and presented in Let’s Be Heard’s case study, Voices of Children and Young People, published in August 2025. This most recent publication is of those professionals working with children and young people from early years through to secondary school, including those working in additional support need settings as well as state and independent schools.
“The parental expectation of staff was incredible and very difficult. We have staff who are still recovering from this.” -Headteacher, ASN school
Experiences were also gathered from young people aged 26 years and under, as well as adults enrolled in further and higher education, and parents of children and young people in education in Scotland. Parents shared their experience of pandemic impacts and pandemic-related restrictions on the provision of education and childcare. Staff working in further and higher education settings were also invited to share their experiences with Let’s Be Heard, and these have been presented alongside those of both students and parents in this publication.
“Tighter systems to ensure they engaged with learning [would improve the pupil experience]. A huge gap developed between those who engaged and those who did not.” -Secondary teacher
A range of options became available for remote learning during lockdowns and restrictions : online platforms, pre-recorded activities, and learning packs.
One of the main things to come to the fore (but which was well-known about) was the inequality for many learners with no quiet place to study, limited or no access to the internet and devices such as Laptops and Computers. Small hub schools were set up for some vulnerable learners and children of key workers, technological skills of many were increased. But overall there were too many inconsistencies in provision.
“The quality of the lessons were better in a way [in the second lockdown] as teachers had more time to create interesting lessons.” -Primary teacher
Three quarters of the respondents in this survey were women – not surprising given their predominance in the early learning and primary school workforce. The respondents commented that on returning to in person learning many children expressed feelings of unease over infection. There were other longer term effects.
These included detrimental effects on children’s social and emotional development, motor skills, intellectual and linguistic development, and personal skills such as toilet training. Respondents also described observing a significant increase in poor behaviour when lockdowns were lifted, with high levels of physical and verbal aggression between peers and towards staff being reported.
There was a rise in children refusing to go to school and an increase in mental health issues. For staff, parents and carers, this resulted in more stress, and for some workers ‘loneliness, burnout, and being undervalued.’
What did those involved want to be learned by policy makers from these shared experiences ?
- More reliable and equal access to digital technology.
- Alternative methods of delivering education to run alongside remote learning – non digital learning and outdoor activities.
- A great focus on wellbeing for learners, families, and staff.
More than 12,500 people across Scotland shared their experiences of the pandemic and the lessons they think should be learned to the Let’s Be Heard researchers.
Let’s Be Heard’s preliminary report published in November 2023 and its case studies on experiences shared by children and young people, and prisoners in Scotland.
All of which have been reported in The Orkney News. Readers may also be interested in other research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on specific groups.
Fiona Grahame
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