As the government looks to change disabled children’s services through its Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) reform programme, it’s important that the existing rights of families with disabled children are protected.
Ongoing research from the DCP has revealed that 4 in 10 families with disabled children are waiting over a year for basic services like therapies, respite care and appointments with educational psychologists.
Thousands of parent carers are having to take local authorities to tribunal over not receiving the right support – and 96% of the time the hearings side with parents.
We have to work constructively with the government to address these problems and create a fairer system.
A system that removes bureaucracy, increases accountability of service providers and ensures families with disabled children get the support they deserve, without having to fight for it.
By signing the #SENDABetterMessage pledge you can show your support to families with disabled children in your area, and together we can highlight the cross-party support that exists for a fairer system of support for disabled children and families to the government.
Parliamentarians from the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats have all already pledged their support.
If you have any questions about the pledge or the #SENDABetterMessage campaign, you can email the DCP team at disabledchildrens.partnership@mencap.org.uk.
