First, Children Now asked whether they would support making the fundingof services for disabled children a priority, even if there was no extramoney. The majority, 68 per cent, rejected the idea while only 29 percent endorsed it.
Most of those who rejected the idea said they were against it because nonew funding would be there to back it up. But some directors, whosupported the idea, said it tallied with their current approach. "Itwould fit with our priorities in both our children and young people'splan and the emerging local area agreement," said one.
Steve Broach, campaign manager for the Every Disabled Child Matterscampaign, said the overwhelming rejection of the idea highlighted theunderfunding of disabled children's services.
"There's not enough money to go round and there's no room to give morepriority to services for disabled children," said Broach. "Yet gettingmore money for these services is more important than ever."
The survey's second question on disability asked children's servicesdirectors whether they would support the introduction of a publicservice agreement target for disabled children's services. Mostdirectors were keen on the idea with 58 per cent saying they wouldsupport it.
The 36 per cent who opposed the idea included some who said it woulddepend on what the target actually was, while others said they feltcentral government shouldn't be dictating what local authorities do."I'd support it but only if an appropriate outcome measure can bedetermined," added one director.
Broach is pleased by the support. "It is encouraging. It does show thatservices for disabled children are rising up the agenda and thatchildren's services directors are genuinely interested in this."
Broach adds that the finding that, overall, the directors see improvingdisabled children's services as their second highest priority (seeabove) is also encouraging.
Would you support prioritisation of funding for services for disabledchildren (even if there is no new money)?
68%: rejected the idea if there was no extra money backing it
Would you support the introduction of a public service agreement targetfor services for disabled children?
58%: would support a target being introduced.
