This sub-review, carried out jointly by the Treasury and the Departmentfor Education and Skills, is just getting started. Evidence is beinggathered and meetings with stakeholders held, providing an unprecedentedopportunity to look at what is really happening in the world of disabledchildren and young people.
The review comes at an interesting time for the sector. Medical andscientific advances mean that the lives of disabled children arechanging. The increasing complexity of disability is coupled with highexpectations from families about the services and opportunities thatshould be available to them.
At the same time, families with disabled children are experiencing anextreme postcode lottery when it comes to services, which in some areasare in a state of crisis. The availability of short breaks is a case inpoint.
Some local authorities are simply unable to offer this kind of support,with thousands of families remaining on waiting lists. The situation hasbeen highlighted by recent events such as the tragic deaths of AlisonDavies and her disabled son Ryan. It cannot be right that one family canaccess a decent support package while one with the same level of need isentitled to nothing because they live on the other side of an artificialborder.
The current review holds great promise - but we have been herebefore.
The last three years have seen three major reports on the lives ofdisabled people. All have given great hope, but so far little haschanged. Linked as it is to future resources, this is the review thatreally must make a difference for disabled children and their families.
