Work Wise: Research Centre - Disabled services are failing toprovide sufficient choice

www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RW003.pdf

The public or private sector dominate most types of disabled children's services and give families little choice in provision, according to government research.

The study for the Department for Children, Schools and Families found limited choice in the supply of services. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, special schools and short breaks are dominated by public sector providers, while school tutoring, equipment and transport are monopolised by private organisations.

Out of 13 services analysed only childcare, sport and leisure and residential care services offer families a variety of choice between private, public and voluntary sector providers.

The report by consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers was commissioned in response to the Government's Aiming High for Disabled Children review, which proposed increased spending on services and pilots of family-controlled budgets for children. Key factors behind the sector's limited choice in provision are a lack of incentives for commissioners to encourage provider diversity and councils acting as both commissioner and provider.