Overview

• Opening statements said some children suffered grievous harm at the hands of carers during lockdown, underscoring schools’ role as early warning systems for safeguarding.
• The inquiry was told evidence will show a drop in referrals to social services during school closures when routine professional contact was reduced.
• Evidence relayed from the National Crime Agency concluded that restrictions put more children and offenders online, increasing exposure to violent pornography and peer-on-peer sexual abuse.
• Counsel cited the death of 16-year-old Kaylea Titford, with a safeguarding review linking reduced multi‑agency coordination during the pandemic to the failings in her case.
• The module will scrutinize decision-making on education policy, including evidence that the Department for Education began planning for closures only after March 16, 2020, with testimony expected from senior figures.