Source · Select Committees · Petitions Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Deferred
Paragraph: 24
Our inquiry last year heard compelling evidence on the crucial role of community support and...
Recommendation
Our inquiry last year heard compelling evidence on the crucial role of community support and parent and baby groups in supporting new parents’ wellbeing. The Government’s recognition of this in exempting such groups from some gathering restrictions last year was very welcome. However, the Government must now do more to clarify how organisers of these groups and classes can offer these services in a safe and responsible way following the lifting of most legal restrictions.
Government Response Summary
The government will continue to review the need for guidance for community support group organisers on operating safely, acknowledging existing guidance for Ofsted-registered settings but noting no single body has complete oversight for all groups.
Paragraph Reference:
24
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Parent and child groups are for the benefit of children under the age of 5 years and are organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic institution, or a public body. The Government understands the importance of community support groups and parent and child groups and will continue to review the need for guidance for specific groups on operating in a Covid-safe way on a case-by-case basis. In recognition of the support needed by parents with young children, during the November 2020 national restrictions, the government introduced a gatherings exception for new parents, and excluded under-fives. When national restrictions ended on 2 December 2020, a new exception for parent and child groups was introduced. The Department for Education continues to update guidance for parent and child groups in Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak—GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). This guidance is for Ofsted registered early years and childcare settings and while some providers will meet in Ofsted registered settings, not all will, and there is no single responsible body with complete oversight of these groups. Parent and child groups are a cross-government policy with different departments having an interest.