This open letter came about as a collaboration between psychologists in the Association of Clinical Psychologists-UK (ACP-UK) and the British Psychological Society (BPS). In June 2020, increasing concern was rising amongst clinical psychologists working with young people regarding the closure of schools. Although England and Scotland had already announced that schools would reopen fully in September 2020, the Welsh Government was committing to part-time schooling at the time. This letter followed an open letter from paediatricians highlighting concerns regarding the impact of school closures on safeguarding. This open letter further shared concerns regarding the impact of social isolation on children of all ages. It called on the Welsh Government to commit to reopening schools in September, and plan to avoid future school closures and invest in the mental health of young people as part of the guidance on returning to school.

Welsh Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, announced the reopening of Welsh schools full-time in September on the 9th July 2020.

British Sign Language (BSL) Translation