ARU Final Report

Full Report – May 2021 7 For some this continued uninterrupted during Covid-19: I am in a student bubblewith other day students but am pleased that I have been able to stay with my class teacher and LSA’s throughout… However, some found online learning challenging or were anxious about the virus so did not go into school or college despite being eligible: The pandemic has affected me because my course was still happening in person in September 2020 as it was an electrical practical course, but I felt very anxious about mixing with people during Covid and it meant that I didn’t attend my course which I was disappointed about as it could not be done online… 1.3.2 Support from services Most young people in our study were receiving support from services prior to the pandemic and for the most part this support was helpful. Young people spoke about consistency of services both before and during the pandemic. Some welcomed consistency around provision during this time: Contact throughout the pandemic has been constant with my leaving care worker and also with my supported accommodation provider. All the support has been useful, not sure how to improve upon it. Meanwhile others felt more consistency was needed: It was useful – hard to know how it is useful, because I need it anyway (owing to physical disabilities). Could have been improved – more consistency of carers. 1.3.3 Anxiety and low mood Many young people with disabilities described feeling sad, upset or anxious during the pandemic. They described mixed emotions ranging from boredom to anxiety and some also missed seeing their friends at school or college or regularly seeing their family: …sometimes happyand sometimes sadbecause I have not seen all my friends at school. Mostly young people sought support from those closest to them such as family members or staff working at their accommodation: I still talk to my staff when they are in and my psychologist, I see on a video session. However, some felt alone and isolated during the pandemic: There were times where I lacked support and felt alone during the pandemic due to lack of involvement with services, and lack of contact. 1.3.4 Contact with family and friends Since the pandemic started, some young people with disabilities had continued contact with family bybeing in the same bubble; but some experienced a significant reduction in contact especially with friends. The type of contact also shifted from face- to-face to phone, text, or online platforms: …but not all of them, because they are not all coming to school. Young people described the Covid-19 restrictions as impacting contact with family and friends but many welcomed technology in facilitating online contact: …I texted two friends not much. I did portal video calls with family, and a WhatsApp video call with my school friend...