The study of 600 families by disability charity Scope revealed that almost half of parents and carers had to endure long waits to access local support such as childcare, appropriate education provision or therapeutic services for their child.
Overall, two thirds of families with disabled children told researchers that they were unable to access essential support services in their community, while only 14 per cent said their local area provided all the services they need.
Scope, the National Autistic Society, Sense, 4Children and the Family and Parenting Institute are now calling on the government to place a statutory duty on councils to meet the needs of families with disabled children in their local area.
The charities suggest that this could be done by legislating for a ‘provide local’ principle in the Children and Families Bill.
“The introduction of a ‘provide local’ principle in the bill would ensure services in a local area are inclusive and accessible and place a duty on local agencies to introduce new inclusive and accessible services if they don't exist,” said Richard Hawkes, chief executive of Scope.
“The government has recognised the issue and the appointment of a new minister presents a huge opportunity to truly make the Children and Families Bill work for all families. But at the moment, it doesn’t go far enough and won’t plug the gaps in local services that families with disabled children desperately need.”
He went on: “Not being able to get the support these families need near home is taking a massive toll on families with disabled children. Half are missing out on important family time together that the rest of us just take for granted like celebrating birthdays, playing together or going swimming.”
The call for better local provision was backed by Nicola Clark, a disability campaigner and mother of two disabled girls, who was involved in the Scope report.
“Just recently we had to take the heartbreakingly difficult decision of sending our youngest daughter to a residential school because she has spent the last 18 months refusing to leave the house and losing out on vital experiences reducing her life chances,” said Clark.
“Appropriate local services would make an inconceivable difference to the lives of thousands of families like mine, but only if politicians grab this opportunity and make it happen.”
Laura Courtney, campaign manager at Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) said Scope’s report echoed the results of the organisation’s own research.
“Scope’s report draws attention to the urgent need to address the increasing problems that families with disabled children face in trying to get the support they need,” she said.
“EDCM welcomes this report, particularly its focus on creating a local offer which is underpinned by duties that require local agencies to provide what they state is available.”
