A CHARITY says long-term support is needed as more children in Wales return to school classrooms.

Primary schoolchildren will return to face-to-face teaching on March 15. The Welsh Government is also allowing learners in exam years to return; flexibility is being provided to school to bring in learners in years 10 and 12.

The NSPCC Cymru said although the return to face-to-face learning and being able to see friends is a move welcomed by many children and their families, it won’t be the same for all children.

The charity say some children will feel nervous about the pandemic or worried about how well they have kept up with school work. Others will be dealing with poor mental health, the impact of strained family relationships, abuse, neglect, or bereavement.

Victoria Holbrook-Hughes, team manager for Childline Prestatyn, said: “Mental health and emotional wellbeing has been the biggest concern raised by young people contacting our Childline service since the start of the pandemic, with some highlighting difficulties in accessing support.

“Protecting children requires long-term investment so that children from every area of Wales can benefit from early mental health support, however we all have a role to play in supporting children, preventing problems from escalating, and keeping them safe.

“As more children return to their classrooms, parents and carers can let them know they’re not alone by listening to how they feel and talking through concerns they may have.”

NSPCC Cymru have outlined what they think is needed by the Welsh Government to ensure children are protected.

Suggestions include:

Support to speak out - ensure children can speak out, so they feel safe, heard and understood, and have access to support services to recover from abuse. Equip adults with the knowledge and skills to take action when a child makes a disclosure.

Mental health support - more children get the mental health support and help they need to recover.

Improved online safety - ensuring every child in Wales is aware of and supported to realise their right to be safe online. And, a concerted approach to disrupt online abuse via UK-wide Online Harms legislation and enhanced prevention through a robust Wales Child Safety Online Action Plan.

Support is being offered for parents and children via www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/away-from-home/at-school

More than 60,000 Childline counselling sessions have been held with children about their mental health since the first national lockdown, as well as more than 20,000 sessions about suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Children can contact Childline every day of the weekon 0800 11 11 or visit childline.org.uk where 1-2-1 chats can be requested.