Needs of families with disabled children remain largely unmet
Posted on 3 November 2006
In an editorial published in this week's BMJ, academics from the University's Social Policy Research Unit (SPRU) say that more than half of families with disabled children live in poverty. They also say that the costs of bringing up a disabled child are estimated to be three times those of bringing up a non-disabled child.
They report that more disabled children and young people live in the UK than ever before (about 770,000 according to criteria defined in the Disability Discrimination Act), and the number of children with the most severe or complex needs is also increasing.
The child's care needs also affect parents' ability to work. State benefits are the sole source of income for 90% of lone parent families with a disabled child, but current benefits do not meet the additional outgoings associated with having a disabled child.
Better multi-agency working is needed to meet the needs of families with disabled children
Professor Tricia Sloper
Parents with disabled children also have higher levels of stress and lower levels of wellbeing than other parents. Many parents report that they want, but do not receive, help in dealing with the sources of stress. Most families report problems with housing, equipment, and a shortfall in services that provide short term breaks from caring.
The SPRU researchers say that primary care trusts can make sure that workers are aware of the needs of disabled children and their families. They can also guarantee that families are offered a key worker, that families' needs are assessed, and that appropriate interventions are available in their local area.
Assistant Director of SPRU Professor Tricia Sloper said: "Better multi-agency working is needed to meet the needs of families with disabled children. Primary care trusts can promote strong multi-agency working and commissioning of services for disabled children. They can also ensure that the needs of disabled children and their families are central to the agendas of children's trusts, and that housing and leisure agencies are included in plans to meet these needs."
Notes to editors:
- The article Families with disabled children is available in BMJ Volume 333 pp 928-9.
- The Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York has an international reputation for excellence in research in social policy, especially health and social care, poverty, social security and employment. Contact: Tricia Sloper, Assistant Director, or Bryony Beresford, Senior Research Fellow, Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, UK. Tel: 01904 321950.