Co-SPACE Ireland Report 02: COVID-19 worries, parent/carer stress and support needs, by child special educational needs and parent/carer work status

COVID-19 has caused major disruptions to families’ lives, through social distancing, school closures and lock-down. This is also a rapidly changing situation where different pressures will arise for children, young people and their families over time. While research has provided valuable information about how parents can support their children’s mental health in general, we know little about what is most effective in the current, changing context. The Co-SPACE project is tracking the mental health of school-aged children and young people aged 4-18 years throughout the COVID-19 crisis. An online survey is sent out and completed on a monthly basis by parents/carers and young people (if aged 11-18 years) throughout the pandemic. The study has full ethical and data protection approval (ethical approval ref: 2020_04_22_EHS) and is fully GDPR compliant. The findings will help identify what protects children and young people from deteriorating mental health over time, and at particular stress points. Findings will be shared directly with health and education services to inform the development and provision of effective support for children and families.