The study by Every Disabled Child Matters, based on the responses of 41 families and professionals, highlights concerns that despite substantial investment through the Aiming High for Disabled Children programme over the past year, some areas have slashed services for disabled children in an attempt to reduce budgets.
The report, Close to Crisis: Frontline Service Cuts for Disabled Children, raises concerns that swingeing cuts to local services will result in a long-term increase in government spending because families will fall back on expensive crisis support.
It makes the recommendation to government that the 20 October Comprehensive Spending Review should give a clear message to local authorities about funding available for disabled children's services over the next five years.
In the report, a number of parents raised concerns around lack of information about why cuts had been made, or consultation about how savings could be made without wholesale loss of services.
One parent said: "There was little information other than the service would no longer be provided".
Another said: "We are always made to feel that we have no right to question these cuts. Whatever we say won't make a difference."
Christine Lenehan, director of the Council for Disabled Children, said: "We are deeply concerned that disabled children and their families are losing vital support that they see as a lifeline. This report shows that local areas are making the decision to cut services in anticipation that there will be no funding for frontline services when the Aiming High for Disabled Children programme comes to an end in March 2011.
"We welcome assurances from Sarah Teather that disabled children are 'at the heart of what this government is doing' and urge the coalition to include a clear statement of funding for disabled children's services in the spending review."
A green paper on special educational needs (SEN) and the lives of disabled children is due to be published this autumn.
A link to the report will follow shortly.
