Almost seven out of 10 families with a disabled child have had difficulty finding appropriate childcare, according to the Everyone Counts report by the Daycare Trust.
Researchers interviewed hundreds of families who spoke of the stress, anxiety, and financial pressures involved.
The findings were unveiled at a joint Daycare Trust and National Childminding Association conference last week, where parent Sophie Ugle described how she'd contacted 60 childminders and not one could care for her disabled daughter.
"It is clear the national strategy is not working for parents with severely disabled children," she said.
With more than half of families with disabled children living in poverty, the report calls for reform of working tax credits and financial help for those whose children are cared for by relatives. "Informal care is the only option for many families and the Government needs to reflect this in policies," said report co-author Nancy Platts, the Daycare Trust's head of policy and campaigns.
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