🌿 LONG COVID IN WELSH CHILDREN — PART 2 March

Published 24 January 2026

 

🌿 LONG COVID IN WELSH CHILDREN — PART 2

Health services, exam adjustments, attendance support, tuition, social care and practical steps for families in Wales

A Learn Without Limits CIC Guide

Part 1 explored how Long Covid affects children and why school becomes difficult.
This second guide takes you through the systems that support your child.
Families often face slow referrals, confusing attendance messages, uncertainty around exams and a lack of clarity about their rights.

You deserve clear guidance that fits the Welsh system.
This guide provides it.

1. Health services for children with Long Covid in Wales

There is no single national paediatric Long Covid clinic. Provision varies across health boards. Some have structured pathways while others rely on general paediatric care.

1.1 What currently exists in Wales

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Provides the Paediatric Recovering from Illness Service, supporting children with persistent symptoms including fatigue and Long Covid. The team includes paediatric psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and rehabilitation support.
(See Source 1)

Swansea Bay University Health Board
Provides a recovery and rehabilitation pathway for people affected by Long Covid, including children referred for fatigue and pacing support.
(See Source 2)

All Wales Covid Recovery App
A bilingual digital tool developed by clinical teams to support fatigue management, pacing, breathing and emotional wellbeing.
(See Source 3)

1.2 When to request referral

Request referral if symptoms:

• last beyond four to eight weeks
• affect your childs school attendance
• flare after activity
• affect learning or emotional wellbeing

Ask for all information to be recorded in your childs notes.

2. Mental health support

Children with Long Covid often experience emotional strain such as anxiety, sadness, frustration or loss of confidence.
This is common and supported by research.
(See Source 4)

You can access support through:

• paediatric psychology
• GP linked mental health practitioners
• counselling through school
• youth counselling services
• the All Wales Covid Recovery App mental wellbeing tools

Internal link placeholder: Mental health guidance for ALN families

3. Exam access arrangements for children with Long Covid

A clear explanation plus the legal context

Many children with Long Covid struggle with fatigue, cognitive overload, slower processing and symptom flare during cognitive effort.
This can make exams extremely challenging without adjustments.

Under JCQ regulations, any learner who experiences a substantial disadvantage in exams compared to their peers is entitled to Access Arrangements.
(See Source 6)

3.1 Common adjustments for Long Covid

• supervised rest breaks
• extra time
• use of a word processor
• separate room
• modified paper format
• smaller chunks of assessment
• permission to pause and recover
• more than one exam session in a day avoided where possible

Rest breaks are especially important because they allow recovery time without penalty.

3.2 The legal context in simple terms

JCQ regulations make it clear that:

• adjustments must reflect the learners normal way of working
• rest breaks do not require formal application (schools or exam centres can grant them directly)
• adjustments must be evidence based
• health conditions count as a valid need if they affect stamina, processing, memory, pain or concentration
(See Source 6)

3.3 Who arranges exam adjustments if the child is not in school

This is where many parents feel confused.
Here is the clear rule:

⭐ The exam centre is always responsible for arranging exam access arrangements.

Not the tutor.
Not the LA team.
Not the GP.
Not the EOTAS teacher.

Every child must be registered with an exam centre. That centre handles the JCQ paperwork and approves the adjustments.

3.4 Who the exam centre is in each situation

If your child is still on roll at a school (even if flexi schooling):
The school is the exam centre.
They must arrange exam access arrangements.

If your child is EOTAS:
The local authority must attach the child to an exam centre, usually:
• the previous school
• a PRU
• an EOTAS centre
• another school willing to accept candidates
• or a designated exam centre for medical needs

The LA is legally responsible for ensuring this is done because the child is still entitled to suitable education under the Education Act.
(See Source 5)

If your child is home educated:
The parent chooses the exam centre.
The chosen private exam centre reviews the evidence and arranges adjustments.

3.5 Evidence accepted by exam centres

• GP letter
• paediatric letter
• records of symptoms affecting stamina or concentration
• school or tutor observations
• record of relapses after cognitive activity
• any formal ALN or medical documentation

4. School attendance guidance for children with Long Covid

Families often receive mixed messages.
Some are told to push attendance.
Others feel pressured by attendance letters.
Some children are incorrectly labelled anxious.

4.1 Absence should be medically authorised

A child with a recognised health condition should not be marked as unauthorised when they are unwell.
Schools must record health evidence appropriately.

4.2 Attendance pressure can worsen symptoms

The Covid Inquiry confirms that Long Covid can cause long term activity limiting illness.
Pushing attendance can trigger relapse.
(See Source 4)

4.3 What supportive attendance practice looks like

• reduced timetable as a short term support
• planned rest breaks
• flexible starts
• remote learning options
• reduced sensory load
• supportive communication rather than pressure

4.4 What attendance teams must not do

Attendance teams must not:

• threaten fines for illness
• accuse the child of avoidance
• pressure families contrary to medical evidence
• ignore clinical information

Internal link placeholder: Attendance guidance for families

5. How to evidence medical need for schools and LAs

Provide:

• GP or paediatric letter
• notes showing daily impact
• evidence of symptom flare after activity
• record of fatigue patterns
• your own parent impact statement
• any ALN assessments

Schools and local authorities must consider this when planning provision.

6. Home tuition for medical needs

When a child cannot attend school for medical reasons, the local authority has a legal duty under the Education Act to provide suitable education.

6.1 What suitable tuition should include

• enough hours to maintain progress
• curriculum aligned teaching
• regular review
• coordination with health advice
• not merely token education

The Children Commissioner for Wales has raised concerns about inconsistent provision.
(See Source 5)

6.2 What to request

• clear plan for hours
• timeline for start
• mode of delivery
• link with ALN support
• regular review meetings

Internal link placeholder: Home tuition guidance  - EOTAS series?

7. Hospital tuition in Wales

Hospital tuition helps children with significant medical needs continue learning during treatment.

Learning may take place:

• on the ward
• in a hospital learning room
• through personalised plans for outpatient care

Ask your health board for details if your child spends time in hospital.

8. Social care support for disabled children

Long Covid can meet the definition of disability when symptoms significantly limit daily life.

Under the Social Services and Wellbeing Wales Act you can request a Child Needs Assessment.

This can provide:

• short breaks
• equipment
• transport support
• care support
• help with routines
• support for siblings
• emotional and practical support

Internal link placeholder: Child Needs Assessment guidance

9. Scripts for parents

Script for GP or paediatrician

My child has ongoing symptoms that began after Covid. These symptoms limit daily life and school attendance. Please record this and advise on referral to paediatric and therapy services.

Script for school

My child has a recognised health condition that affects stamina and concentration. They need flexible adjustments. Please ensure all absence is medically authorised.

Script for the local authority

My child cannot attend school for medical reasons. Under the Education Act they are entitled to suitable education. Please confirm the interim tuition plan and weekly hours.

10. Directory of trusted organisations (with clickable links)

These links will remain clickable in Blogger.

Long Covid Kids UK
Support for parents, resources, advocacy.
https://www.longcovidkids.org

Long Covid Kids Wales Community Groups
Welsh peer support for families.
https://www.longcovidkids.org/support-wales

Long Covid Wales
Support, campaigning and signposting for people in Wales.
https://www.longcovidwales.org

All Wales Covid Recovery App
Fatigue, breathing, pacing and wellbeing guidance.
https://www.covidrecoveryapp.wales

11. Closing words

Long Covid can leave families feeling exhausted, unheard and isolated.
But your child has rights.
Your child has options.
And you now have the knowledge to advocate confidently.

Learn Without Limits CIC stands with you.

You are not alone.

Sources

  1. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. Recovering from Illness Paediatric Service.

  2. Swansea Bay University Health Board. Long Covid Rehabilitation Pathway.

  3. All Wales Covid Recovery App.

  4. UK Covid Inquiry. Evidence on Long Covid and children.

  5. Children Commissioner for Wales. Education in Healthcare Settings Report.

  6. JCQ Access Arrangements Guidance.