Closed petition New guidance for Local Authorities on disabled children and their families

Closed on 6 February 2022

The Government should review the approach taken by local authority social services teams in respect of disabled children and their families, and issue revised guidance for local authorities to use.

A recent academic report found most local authorities operate a ‘one size-fits-all’ approach regardless of whether a parent is seeking support for a disabled child or there is evidence suggests there is neglect or abuse.
The Parent and Carer Alliance and other organisations are very concerned that many LAs are treating disabled children and their families in the same way as those suspected of child neglect / abuse (in situations where there is no evidence of neglect / abuse). The current guidance ‘Working Together 2018’ does not adequately distinguish between disabled children and children suspected of being neglected / abused, which can cause significant harm.