CYP Now - Councils failing to help half of disabled care-experienced young people, report suggests

Half of disabled care-experienced young people are missing out on support as their local authority does not recognise their disability, researchers say.

Disparities stem from inconsistent definitions of disabilities across councils, according to the report - JACOB LUND/ADOBE STOCK

While 27% of care leavers and looked-after children say they have a disability or long-term health condition, less than half of this proportion have their disability recorded by their council.

Inconsistent definitions across councils is a major factor, with a wide regional variation in the proportion of children in care and care leavers recorded as having a disability.

One council that responded revealed that just 3% of care-experienced young people in its area are recorded as having a disability. Meanwhile in another area the proportion is just under a third.

Among care leavers regional differences are starker, ranging from 1% to just over a third.

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