Parliamentary committee backs disabled children’s social care law overhaul
4 mins read
Thursday 27 August 2026
This advice applies in England only.
A new report from Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) calls for major changes to disabled children’s social care in England.
The report backs the Law Commission’s key recommendations from its own review of disabled children’s social care. These recommendations are in line with Contact’s three social care asks.
Contact CEO Anna Bird, whom the report quotes, gave oral evidence to the inquiry. The committee also considered written evidence from Contact and the Disabled Children’s Partnership, highlighting how the current system too often undermines disabled children’s rights.
Anna warmly welcomed the committee’s strong backing for reform and the due prominence to disabled children in a report looking at all aspects of children’s social care.
Anna said: “Our families are currently navigating a confusing, unfair system too focused on gatekeeping rather than support. We know families only ask for help when they are exhausted and desperate. Support, if it arrives at all, often comes only when a family has reached crisis point. We hope the government pays heed to the committee’s recommendations when it responds to the Law Commission’s proposals next month.”
Chair of the JCHR Lord David Alton said: “The continued difficulties for disabled children and their families navigating a complex system are profoundly troubling and wholly unacceptable. They need to be resolved. Clear guidelines need to be in place so that everyone knows what they are entitled to and what their responsibilities are. Consistent standards need to be in place to end the postcode lottery of support.”
What the report found
The JCHR’s report has concluded that:
- The current system for disabled children’s social care is too complex, inconsistent, and difficult for families to navigate.
- Families face very different experiences depending on where they live.
- Assessments are often too focused on safeguarding concerns rather than understanding the support that disabled children and families need.
- Families often feel blamed or viewed with suspicion when seeking help, and some avoid asking for support as a result.
Key recommendations
The committee did not explicitly endorse the Law Commission’s proposal for a simplified and unified legal framework for disabled children’s social care within the Children Act 1989.
Nevertheless it strongly backed most of its proposals. including:
- One clear set of statutory guidance explaining disabled children’s social care rights and local authority responsibilities.
- A modern definition of disability in the law, replacing outdated and stigmatising language.
- A clear right to an assessment for disabled children who may need care and support.
- Better assessments that properly identify and respond to the needs of neurodivergent children.
- A more supportive approach to assessments, ensuring families are not viewed through a child protection lens when asking for help.
- National eligibility criteria so families are not subject to a postcode lottery and children with similar needs can access similar support wherever they live.
- Stronger children’s rights protections, including ensuring children’s voices are heard in decisions affecting them.
Why this report matters
The JCHR is a joint committee of MPs and peers. It scrutinises legislation, government policy and practice from a human rights perspective. While its reports do not compel ministers to act, they carry significant weight.
The committee’s support for the Law Commission’s recommendations on disabled children’s social care is significant. It adds influential parliamentary backing to long-standing calls for reform and suggests growing momentum behind changes to disabled children’s social care.
Take action
Write to your MP today and ask them to write to the minister urging him to back disabled children’s social care law and create a fairer system for disabled children and their families.
We’ve created a template letter, so it only takes a few minutes.
If you are willing to share your family’s experience with the media, contact [email protected]
What happens next?
The government must now respond to the committee’s recommendations. It is also expected to respond to the Law Commission’s recommendations on disabled children’s social care by the 16 September.