Forum Brief: Services for disabled children

Disabled children in England and Wales are missing out on leading ordinary lives because public services are failing to meet their real needs, according to a report by the Audit Commission.

The study found that services for disabled children are a "lottery", and are dependent largely on local circumstances.

A spokesman for the DfES told ePolitix.com: "We want all children to get the support they need to fulfil their potential. Our children's green paper sets out how we propose to improve both the universal services that all families receive and the targeted support available to disabled children and their families.

"In addition, the development of the Children's National Service Framework will set standards to raise the quality of health and social care services that all children receive.

"Improving access to education for disabled children and young people will also be a key part of our forthcoming Special Educational Needs Action Programme."

Eleanor Laing, shadow minister for children, told ePolitix.com: "I am concerned but not at all surprised at the findings of the Report.

"Provision for children with Special Needs occurs at different levels in different parts of the country, which is clearly unfair. If some authorities are able to provide good services it is difficult to understand why the others cannot do the same. Sharing ideas on good practice should not be difficult but it is rarely done efficiently at present.

"Because the statementing system tends to be combative, parents always tell you that they have to "fight" for help for their children. It shouldn't be like that. These families are among the most vulnerable in our society and a great many of them deserve much more understanding and encouragement that they receive at present."

Forum Response: The Disabilities Trust

Matt Townsend, spokesman for the Disabilities Trust, told ePolitix.com: "The Trust knows only too well the postcode lottery that so often affects funding and support services for children with a disability.

"Last year we were joint national co-ordinators of Autism Awareness Year 2002 and one of the recurring themes of that year's discussions, was of parents trying desperately to access the services their children needed and facing what at times seemed an insurmountable set of barriers preventing them from doing so.

"It was both extremely frustrating and immensely tiring for families engaged in a constant battle with statutory agencies.

"We can only hope that the Audit Commission report will help to move forward much needed reforms to the way in which these services are organised so that they are genuinely built around, and are responsive to, the needs of disabled service users."

Forum Response: National Deaf Children's Society

Elisa Pruvost, head of policy and research for education at NDCS, said: "We welcome the report as it highlights the differences in services. Some families of deaf children have good experiences of accessing services, but this is not always the case - it can depend on where they live.

"Some families have found that, when they moved to a different area, their child received more support.

"Parents should not have to fight for the right provision for their child, as some do at present. Families want high standards of services across the country irrespective of where they live. We hope that this report will be a catalyst for change, so that all deaf children can receive excellent services."

Forum Response: Rotary International

A spokeswoman for Rotary told ePolitix.com: "Rutherford School opened in 1965 and provides education, care and therapy for children with profound and multiple disabilities. This is a unique service in Croydon and 24 children from 2 - 12 years of age attend the school. At present there is no provision in the borough for children 13 years and older who need this very specialized education and it is necessary for them to go to schools in other boroughs.

"This is not a satisfactory situation, the children are subject to long journeys to school and considering the very severe nature of their disabilities and complex medical needs, this causes great hardship.

"Parents have been asking the Garwood Foundation for a considerable time to develop a senior school so that the children are able to have continuity in their education.

"To meet this need, the Garwood Foundation have planned an extension to the school of two classrooms, a hall and toilet facilities which will permit children already at the school to continue their education to the age of 15 and also provide a service to older children in the borough. Each class will take up to 6 children.

"This project is estimated to cost £450,000 and building costs will be met by the Foundation with grants from charitable trusts.

"The Croydon Rotary clubs of District 1140 have undertaken to fund the fitting out of the new building to ensure that it is available for immediate use, and this will be the main project in Croydon to celebrate the 100 years of Rotary International.

"The project is being led by Dudley Mead, Trustee of the Charity and member of Croydon Whitgift Rotary Club."