CYP Now - Disability: 190m needed for short break care

The Government needs to find 190m if families with disabled children are to get the level of short break care disabled children's charities say they need.

Figures collated by the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign revealthat up to 190m is needed to give the parents or carers of the100,000 most disabled children in the country adequate help.

Steve Broach, Every Disabled Child Matters' campaign manager, said: "Thefigures are based on what we picked out as a suitable level of care.

While it doesn't cost zero the Government will save money not just inthe long-term but also in the medium term by doing this since they willhave to spend less on residential care."

The figures emerged ahead of the second reading in Parliament of theDisabled Children (Family Support) Bill this Friday (23 February). Theprivate members' Bill was proposed by Conservative MP Gary Streeter andwould see families of disabled children entitled to a minimum level ofshort break care.

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