September 2016
Featured in this insight: Medical & healthcare, Local & regional government, Charity & not-for-profit, Public health & wellbeing
Local councils do not sufficiently assist disabled children’s parents, survey finds: According to the learning disability charity, Mencap, local councils should be more flexible when it comes to childcare. The charity’s statement comes after it was uncovered that 4 in 5 parents of children with complex needs found accessing services over the summer holidays difficult.
The survey also revealed that 80 per cent of mums and dads who have a child with a learning disability found accessing support services during the summer holidays difficult, with just 21 per cent of local councils claiming to have enough childcare available for disabled children.
Of the survey participants, 93 per cent said that finding childcare for non-disabled children easier than it was for children with a disability.
Of the carers in the survey, 56 per cent said that they find accessing short breaks and respite services difficult and 7 per cent said that there was not enough portage, which is a home education service for children of pre-school age who have special educational difficulties and needs.
Those who have disadvantaged children aged two, as well as all 3 to 4 year olds, are allocated 15 hours of free childcare every week; however, only 40 per cent of parents with a learning disability say that they are able to access the full 15 hours.
View more of our sector specific insights: Medical & healthcare, Local & regional government, Charity & not-for-profit, Public health & wellbeing
