Disabled Children and their Families
New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) has published ‘Ordinary Lives’ a report that highlights critical problems faced by parents raising a disabled child.
It is estimated that 700,000 children in Britain have a disability; that’s around 5% of all children in the country. The families of these disabled children are more likely to live in poverty, as the costs of raising a disabled child can be three times what it would cost to raise a non-disabled child.
The government’s assistance to these families is means tested. For example, a family that lives on an income of £40,000 per annum would be asked to contribute £81,000 to the total cost of adaptations to their home. Only 2% of families in this income bracket say they can afford to pay.
These adaptations are necessary to provide physical and psychological benefits, for families that do not have space for play, storing equipment, and carrying out therapies and have inadequate facilities for lifting, handling, toileting and bathing.
Local government’s increasing autonomy means they do not necessarily have to immediately comply with the government’s directives for the provision of care and services to disabled children. This means disabled children are at danger of being restricted in their interaction at school and in society, which can lead to loneliness, frustration and a slowing of a child’s development.
NPC has identified the Disability Law Service as a key charity that can help families and carers of disabled children to get access to their rights and entitlements through free legal advice.
Families and carers of disabled children can use the free legal advice provided by DLS to seek legal remedies for the lack of service provision from local authorities.
To read the full report please click here