Potential reforms to the Disability Living Allowance, such as changes to the mobility element, are a worry.
It costs three times as much to raise a disabled child, therefore the wider reforms that impact on family budgets will have a disproportionate impact on families with disabled children.
The Health and Social Care Bill will radically change the health system for disabled children. Families are concerned about where responsibility for ensuring disabled children get health services to meet their needs will lie within the new system.
The introduction of academies will also have a disproportionate impact on disabled children. Evidence shows that the overall percentage of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) across academies (33 per cent) was considerably higher than the average for England as a whole (18 per cent). Yet academies do not have the same duty to use their "best endeavours" to meet the needs of children with SEN as maintained schools, and there is a lack of clarity as to whether the SEN code of practice must be followed.
There are uncertain times ahead in all aspects of disabled children's policy and the government must think about the cumulative impact that reforms may have on the lives of disabled children.
A Parent's Concerns: Life with a disabled child
"Due to the uncertain future, I find that I am constantly worrying about what will happen to my child. I find difficulty in focusing on day-to-day matters or accomplishing any but the most basic tasks even when he is not at home."
Parent of a disabled young person talking about the realities of everyday life.
