The Bill sets out in more detail its plans for introducing an additional four point test for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and for cutting Universal Credit health payments for new claimants with a limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA).
The second reading of the Bill will be on Tuesday 1 July. This will be the first time MPs can debate and vote on the Bill.
Tightening PIP daily living component rules
The Bill expands on proposals first outlined in the Pathways to Work Green Paper. It confirms that there will be an additional test for getting the PIP daily living component. The test requires a disabled person (unless terminally ill) to score a minimum of four points in at least one PIP daily living activity.
The Bill makes clear that existing PIP claimants who lose their entitlement to PIP daily living component because of the four point rule will have a temporary 13-weeks run-on in their PIP. This run-on will also apply to any “passported benefits”, such as any Carer’s Allowance or Universal Credit carer’s element payments.
Cuts in Universal Credit health payments for new claims
The Bill also confirms a large cut in the amount of LCWRA element for new claims from April 2026. While existing claimants will continue to receive £423.27 per month, claimants who first establish LCWRA from April 2026 will receive £217.26 per month.
Some new claimants will be protected from this cut. They will instead receive a higher rate of LCWRA element, meaning they will receive the same amount as existing claimants. This will apply to those who are terminally ill and to disabled people who meet “severe conditions criteria”. Those who meet these severe conditions criteria will also be exempt from routine Universal Credit health reassessments.
To be protected under this severe conditions criteria, a disabled person must meet all of the following tests:
They must have a condition that an appropriately-qualified healthcare professional has diagnosed in the course of receiving NHS services.
Their condition will last for the rest of their life.
There is no realistic prospect of recovery of function.
The individual’s level of function must mean they would “constantly” meet the tests to be treated as having LCWRA “on all occasions on which the claimant undertakes or attempts to undertake an activity”.
Other benefits changes included the Bill
The Bill also includes the freezing of the LCWRA element between tax years 2026/2027 to 2029/2030. This will impact all Universal Credit claimants who qualify for the LCWRA element – both existing and new claimants.
Alongside this, the Bill makes provision for a small increase in the amount of the Universal Credit standard allowance.
The Bill makes clear that there will be changes to legacy Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) payments to mirror changes to Universal Credit. This is because some disabled adults have not yet migrated from income-related ESA to Universal Credit.
Explanatory notes published alongside the Bill confirm that the government expects that:
By 2028/29, 800,000 disabled people will be on the new reduced rate payment of the LCWRA element.
As a result of the new four point rule, 370,000 existing PIP claimants will lose their daily living component by 2029/30. A further 430,000 claimants will not get the PIP they would otherwise have been entitled to.
As a result of this change to PIP rules, 150,000 full time carers will lose or not qualify for Carer’s Allowance/the carer element of Universal Credit.
Which parts of the UK does the Bill affect
The changes relating to Universal Credit and income-related ESA will apply to England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Changes to PIP will apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Changes to PIP rules won’t impact Scotland which has its own Adult Disability Payment.
In the letter, Hannah, who is 19, autistic, and has several chronic conditions, explains how getting an EHC plan transformed her experience of school.
Hannah’s letter follows media speculation that the government is considering replacing EHC plans. Thousands of children rely on these statutory documents to get the educational support they’re entitled to.
Hannah’s letter reads:
“It is no exaggeration to say this plan completely transformed my experience of school. Firstly, I was actually able to attend in person again, on a reduced timetable. I received 1:1 support, including help with social skills, pastoral check-ins, a quiet place to go when I felt overwhelmed, and a teaching assistant to support my learning.
“Through my plan I also received transport that meant I could get to and from school safely. And at school, I had someone to help push my wheelchair. My classrooms were moved to the ground floor – meaning I no longer had to rely on other pupils to get to class. These things were life-changing.
“Thanks to my EHC plan, I’m now looking to the future. I’m planning to start a Level 3 Acting and Performance qualification at college in September.”
We are excited to announce the return of our national Contact Awards 2025…and nominations are now officially open!
The Contact Awards recognise the countless and often unrecognised achievements of families with disabled children up and down the country.
At a time when it can be difficult to see any positives, this event is a celebration of all the great things that come with being a family with a disabled child and of the wonderful parent carer community we stand and work together with.
Anna Bird, CEO at Contact, says: “It’s more important than ever to shine a light on the strength, compassion and resilience of families raising children with additional needs and disabilities in the UK. Our awards are our way of saying: we see you, we celebrate you, and your story deserves to be told!”
We are calling for families across the country to nominate their friends, family members, colleagues, as well as campaign groups and forums for a Contact Award. So please get busy nominating!
How to nominate
There are six award categories, listed below. Once you’ve decided who and what category to nominate them for, it’s really simple. Just fill in our online form, explaining why your nominee is a deserving winner, and submit your nomination.
You can nominate as many times as you like, in as many categories as you like – you’ll just need to complete the form again.
Nominations close on 30 July. Shortly after that date, a panel of independent judges will choose a shortlist for each category. Shortlisted families and groups will be invited to a very special awards evening in Westminster, where the winners will be announced.
The award categories
This year our six award nomination categories are:
Parent Carer Award
We want to hear about you or someone you know and the amazing things they do to make sure their disabled child and family can take part in everyday life.
Change Maker Award
Nominate an individual, family or a group of parents who have campaigned or worked together to make life better for other families with disabled children in their community.
Proudest Moment Award
Big or small, this is your opportunity to tell us about the challenges your disabled child has overcome that fill you with pride and makes you smile.
Friendship First Award
Tell us how your friend makes your life better as a parent carer just by being in it.
Grandparent Award
Your opportunity to tell us about all the wonderful and everyday things grandparents do for your family.
Sibling Award
Tell us about the often unseen but great things siblings do for their disabled brothers and sisters or that help make mum and dad’s lives just that little bit easier.
The DLA (Disability Living Allowance) Unit is carrying out a review of DLA decisions made between 1 February 2017 and 13 October 2020 on claims for children with congenital heart disease.
They have said that no child will have their DLA award reduced as a result of this exercise. Some families may receive arrears of the benefit.
The DLA Unit is now in the process of writing to families who might have been affected to tell them that it is reviewing their child’s past entitlement. This includes families who were refused DLA during the period in question.
Which cases is the DLA Unit reviewing?
The DLA Unit will only be reviewing cases where both:
A child had congenital heart disease listed as a condition.
It made the decision about the child’s DLA claim between 1/2/17 and 13/10/2020.
It will not be reviewing any decisions it made before February 2017 or after 13 October 2020.
The DLA Unit has also made clear that it will not be reviewing cases where a child was on the maximum rate of DLA payable during this period. That means the high rate of both components (or highest rate care if aged under 3 years). It also won’t be reviewing any decisions that were made by an appeal tribunal.
Why are the DLA Unit carrying out this review exercise?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says that it introduced medical guidance in February 2017 to help DLA staff make decisions on cases where a child had congenital heart disease.
Following a review, new guidance replaced it in October 2020. The DLA unit will now review decisions it made between February 2017 and October 2020, applying the 2020 guidance rather than the 2017 guidance.
The DWP plans to publish more information about this review exercise in the future.
Parents caring for children with additional needs can bring incredible strengths to the workplace. Adaptability, crisis management, and loyalty, to name a few!
To celebrate Carers Week, we’re sharing simple yet meaningful ways organisations can help carers thrive at work.
Watch Ellie Goff, Business Development Manager at Contact, as she talks to Charlie Beswick, founder of Our Altered Life. Together, they share practical tips and insights that can make a genuine difference.
It’s not just the right thing to do for the wellbeing of carers. By creating a supportive environment, organisations can retain skilled employees, boost morale, prevent burnout, and cut costs!
Ellie and Charlie’s top tips for organisations
1. Normalise disclosure without pressure
Opening up about caring responsibilities needs to feel both safe and optional. Many carers worry about disclosing because they fear judgement and that colleagues may question their ability to do their job effectively.
Managers can foster trust by letting people know there are benefits to disclosing. They can also ask simple, empathetic questions such as, “Do you have any caring responsibilities we should know about to better support you?”.
2. Be flexible
Flexible working hours can be vital for many carers, although some might only need minor adjustments, like arriving slightly later. It’s important to tailor solutions to their specific needs.
3. Set up a peer support group
Establishing affinity groups for carers within an organisation can provide a lifeline for employees. Ellie set up a Carers Affinity Group at Contact to create a safe space for employees to connect, share experiences, and feel understood.
4. Encourage carers in leadership roles to speak out
Leaders and senior colleagues who are open about their caregiving responsibilities send a powerful message. It demonstrates that carers can thrive in leadership roles and validates others’ experiences.
5. Communicate support clearly
Make sure employees are aware of their options by drafting clear, accessible policies. Caregivers need to understand not only what is available to them, but also how to access resources and who to speak to in times of need.
6. Provide training for managers
Empower line managers with the tools to have sensitive discussions. They won’t ever be able to fix the challenges of caring for a child, but they can focus on listening and responding compassionately. Provide clear guidelines for managers on flexible working arrangements, special leave, or other accommodations.
7. Build a culture of compassion
Small moments of kindness go a long way. Carers don’t want pity, and they know their problems can’t be solved by a line manager. But having someone say, “I don’t know what you’re going through, but how can I help?” is really powerful.
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your carer-friendly culture, Contact and Charlie can help you with:
Training and awareness for managers and teams
Support with inclusive policies and networks
Expert guidance from professionals with lived experience
Workshops and Webinars on topics tailored to support the parent carers in your workforce
“We welcome the Chancellor’s investment in children with SEND in England, as long as that cash reaches those children. Ministers have a once-in-a-generation chance to give every child the same opportunity to learn while saving the country long-term costs. The detail of how this money is spent now is crucial. It must be focused on the frontline, equipping mainstream and special schools to allow all children to thrive.
“Investment alone won’t solve the SEND crisis in England. So we welcome the Government’s confirmation that it will publish a White Paper in the autumn, ending the speculation about its plans for SEND reform.
“These proposals need to set out the robust legal safeguards we need to make sure councils, schools, nurseries, colleges and health services act earlier to embed the support children need. Those that fail should face consequences.
“We look forward to working with government to ensure there is wide and meaningful engagement with parents and young people in advance of the Schools White Paper and on the proposals once published this Autumn.
“We will continue to seek reassurance that the right investment will come with legal teeth for schools to prioritise early help, and to make sure no young person who needs an individual, legally guaranteed plan will lose that protection.
Every day, thousands of parent carers across the UK are navigating the complexities of caring for their disabled children. With endless paperwork, hospital appointments, school meetings, and therapy sessions, all on top of the usual demands of parenting: it’s tough.
Many of Contact’s employees are parent carers, including staff delivering frontline services to families. We know that their expertise, coupled with their lived experience of caring for a disabled child, is an invaluable mix. But this is only possible because we are committed to being an inclusive and supportive workplace for carers. Sadly, too many workplaces aren’t.
Jade and Jaime, who are both working parent carers at Contact, show why flexible, remote work isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s the only way many families can keep their heads above water.
Jade: Social Media & Online Communities Officer, and mum to Finn (9)
Jade’s son, Finn, has a rare genetic condition called Houge-Janssens Syndrome type 4. His condition causes severe epilepsy and learning disability.
Jade says: “Life with Finn involves physiotherapy, specialist appointments, school meetings, and sometimes emergency trips to hospital. There are no typical weeks really. Finn has prolonged uncontrolled seizures and his epilepsy is drug-resistant, which means every time he has a seizure, he is hospitalised. This makes it tricky to be at work when I need to be in the back of an ambulance.”
Before joining Contact, Jade struggled to find an employer who understood this reality.
“I’ve missed out on opportunities before because of having ‘too much time off’ with Finn. I even lost one job due to medical appointments and hospital admissions put down to ‘sick leave’. It feels frustrating, because I feel I have a lot I can offer the workplace; I just need the chance.
“Here at Contact, I feel supported to be there when I’m needed. We have a generous paid carer’s leave policy, so I don’t have to panic or use annual leave or sick leave to care for Finn. Working from home means I can be there when Finn’s school transport picks him up each morning and drops him off in the afternoon. Flexible working means I can arrange my hours around appointments.
“Offering that level of support and understanding to parent carers is absolutely key. I can guarantee that if more employers did so, they’d have a team of fiercely loyal, hardworking individuals on their hands. We didn’t choose this life for ourselves or our children. Many of us had hoped and worked hard for careers and have our own personal aspirations that most workplaces make feel impossible.”
Jaime: Grants Coordinator, and mum to Jess (16)
Jaime’s daughter Jess lives with condition that causes chronic pain and frequent joint dislocations, including her ribs and jaw. Jess also experiences debilitating anxiety, especially around leaving the house for fear of injury. She is studying online for her A-levels, but requires constant support at home.
“Jess often dislocates joints just turning in bed. If she can’t get up in the morning, I’m helping her put things back into place – sometimes ribs that affect her breathing. I also monitor what she eats in case her jaw has dislocated again.”
Jaime has also cared for her father at the same time, often managing two complex care needs under one roof.
“It’s not the late nights or early mornings, it’s not the physical pressures, it’s the constant mental pressure. I am also a carer for my father who lives with us, and it’s a never-ending juggling act. I am always needed by someone, and that gives me very little time to switch off or detach.”
Jaime is able to keep working because of the adjustments Contact is able to make to support her.
Jaime says: “My work at Contact is incredible and allows me to fit in her doctor’s appointments and to be around to support her. I’m able to work early before Jess gets up for the day and to take breaks when I need to. Without flexible, remote working, I don’t think I’d have been able to work for the last few years.
“It also allows me peace of mind. I know that if I suddenly have to take a few hours off to support Jess, I can do so without worrying.”
A system that understands carers isn’t optional – it’s essential
Our Counting the Costs research found that 62% parent carers have had to give up paid work or reduce hours. On average, they lose over £21,000 a year in income.
But as Jade and Jaime’s stories show, this doesn’t have to be inevitable. At Contact, we’re proud to offer remote and flexible working, as well as a culture rooted in empathy and support. We don’t just accommodate carers: we welcome them, and we learn from them every day.
“You aren’t alone. Raising a disabled child takes a city. Even when you don’t have hands-on help, online communities and support groups can be your lifeline. Use Contact. Use your community. We’re here.”
Jade adds: “When you see Contact’s content on social media, every post was shaped by my lived experience as a parent carer and the expertise of our helpline team. We’re not a faceless organisation. We’re real people with real stories, and we’ve got your back.”
This Carer’s Week, 9-15 June, Cheryl Abrahams, a brain injury lawyer at legal firm Bolt Burdon Kemp (BBK) and parent carer shares her personal experience of the difference it can make working somewhere which puts flexibility for employees at its heart, while her colleague, Louise Pye, head of Human Resources at BBK, outlines your rights as an employee who cares for a child with additional needs.
Contact’s Counting the Costs research found that the majority (62%) of parents carers had to give up a paid job or reduce working hours because of the difficulty of juggling caring and working. On average these parents have lost £21,174 of income per year. And the latest census data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that unpaid carers – including parent carers – are providing more hours of care now than they were 10 years ago. Reduced support services such as respite care, physiotherapy, occupational and speech and language therapy, as well as mental health services means parent carers have been left to do more often complex care in their homes themselves and less able to combine work and caring.
Cheryl’s story: navigating parenthood and a demanding career
When I joined BBK in 2004, I was amazed at how progressive the firm’s flexible working policy was for the time. But it wasn’t until I became a parent carer that I truly understood its value. In early 2022, my son’s nursery started reporting incidents of aggressive behaviour. Things escalated as he transitioned to primary school, leading to school refusal, escape attempts, exclusion, and assessments. Eventually, he was diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder and Dyspraxia.
The demands on my time were immense: attending countless school meetings, meeting his care needs at home and managing his challenging behaviours. My son attends a mainstream primary school and I’m in the process of applying for an Education and Healthcare Plan for him – an arduous and time-consuming process.
There’s no doubt that, without the flexibility and support I received at BBK, I would have had to stop working altogether. This flexibility – allowing me to start work later to support a calmer morning routine for my son, or to attend critical meetings during the day, and working from home in the evenings or at weekends, during periods when he was excluded and needed my support during the day – benefits not only me, but also my clients and their families. For many parents of children with complex needs they may need to juggle endless medical appointments, therapy sessions, and school meetings. These families need a solicitor who can accommodate their schedules, not the other way around.
My journey as a parent carer has profoundly shaped my approach to my work with families of brain-injured children. I understand what the parents of my clients go through, not just in their pursuit of justice for their children but in their day-to-day struggles to balance caregiving responsibilities with work, family and life.
My experience has helped me to better appreciate their anxieties, frustrations, and hopes. It has also strengthened my determination to fight for the best possible outcomes for them. Whether it’s securing compensation to cover care needs, ensuring access to therapy, or advocating for tailored educational support, I can offer reassurance and guidance to support them in their journey to ensure their child’s needs are met.
Louise Pye, head of HR at BBK on why flexibility benefits everyone
At BBK, we understand there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to flexible working. For some, it might mean adjusting start and finish times; for others, it’s about working fewer hours or being available for school pickups. At BBK, we offer flexibility to all staff—not just parents or carers as required by law – because we understand everyone’s circumstances change over time and even from day to day.
We’ve seen first-hand how a culture of flexibility benefits not just employees but also the business. When staff feel supported, they’re more engaged, productive, and loyal. For working parents and carers, this means they can focus on their families while maintaining a fulfilling career. For clients and their families, this means having access to a responsive, empathetic and client-centred service that takes account of the unique challenges they face. We’re proud to foster an environment where flexibility is more than just a policy—it’s a practice embedded into our culture. By doing so, we aim to set an example for other employers and show true flexibility isn’t just about ticking a box; it’s about valuing people as individuals.
Your legal rights
As of April 2024, all employees in England, Scotland, and Wales can request flexible working from their first day of employment. This could involve: • Adjusting start and finish times. • Reducing working hours or days. • Working from home.
Employers must consider requests for flexible working seriously. While employers can refuse requests for clear business reasons, the law gives you, the employee, the right to apply up to twice a year.
Resources like Gov.uk, ACAS and Contact provide templates and advice on how to make a request. If you are a parent of a disabled child, the Equality Act 2010 offers additional protections. If an employer’s refusal disproportionately disadvantages you due to your caring responsibilities, this could constitute disability discrimination by association. Charities like Working Families offer guidance on what to do if your request is refused.
Bolt Burdon Kemp (BBK) is a long term supporter of Contact providing funding for our By Your Side in hospitals programme and BBK staff also kindly volunteer for Contact and take part in fundraising events.
Renaissance Legal specialise in safeguarding the finances and welfare of disabled and vulnerable people through their lifetime using Wills, trusts, powers of attorney and court of protection applications.
The webinar covers common issues related to planning for the future of your child. It explains why you should make a Will, usual Will formats, and trusts.
You can watch the recording of the webinar on our YouTube page. But please don’t delay – the video is only live until 15 June.
We’re so grateful to Philip at Renaissance Legal, who took time to answer questions parents had after the presentation.
You’ll also hear from Mark at Contact who gives an introduction about our support services. Mark also highlights how including a gift to Contact in your Will can help support our vital services and ensure that Contact is here for families with disabled children for many years to come.
We want to say a big thank you to the 852 parent carers across Scotland who responded to our call to action to improve wraparound childcare for disabled children.
We asked parent carers to ask their MSP to take part in a special debate in parliament on 8 May.
In total, parents contacted 103 MSPs. This represents nearly three quarters of MSPs in Parliament – a great result!
Wraparound childcare – the key issues
In Scotland, local authorities have a legal duty to provide out of school and holiday care for disabled children and those with additional needs. This is also known as wraparound care.
However, our 2024 Counting the Costs research found that nearly two-thirds of parent carers have had to give up their jobs or reduce their working hours because they can’t find suitable childcare.
Is the current out of school care provision in Scotland failing families?
During the debate, MSPs highlighted families’ stories showing the impact of trying to balance care-giving with employment. Many talked about the disruption to their routines causing significant distress. The key issues families highlighted were:
Families are unable to find appropriate out of school care during holiday periods.
There are significant reductions to local authority and third sector organisations’ budgets. They are struggling to provide suitable out of school care.
There is limited or no information publicised in advance on the few available services.
Without a Section 23 social work assessment, many children can’t access services at all.
Some children get as little as 16 hours of care for the entire summer holidays.
Families don’t know what is on offer, how much it costs or what kind of support is provided.
Agreement that things must improve
Before the debate, the Scottish Government announced an extra £1 million from this summer to improve holiday care. However, MSPs said all 32 councils would need to share this, and it may not go far enough.
The MSPs also spoke about some good examples where local authorities were working well with families. They asked to share these more widely across other local authorities to learn from their successes.
Michael Marra MSP, who organised the debate, recommended a “best practice charter”. This would act as a checklist for local authorities with clear targets around planning, funding, and communicating with parent carers.
Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children and Young People and The Promise, responding for the government, said: “I hear the frustrations and challenges families face and recognise that more must be done.” She highlighted the extra funding and said that the Scottish Government and local government are working to try and find a solution.
Further information and how you can help
There are many other individuals and organisations who continue to campaign and report on this crucial issue.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC Article 23) states that: “Children who have any kind of disability have the right to special care and support, as well as all the rights in the Convention, so that they can live full and independent lives”.
One Parent Families Scotland have highlighted the need to provide greater access to respite services for families with disabled children. In their May 2025 briefing, they stated that …”These services help to promote independence for children and young people and give the opportunity for parents to have a break and find, often much-needed, support.”
Back in 2020, Shared Care Scotland highlighted the impact for families in their Holidays or Isolation Report. They called for ways to improve holiday activity provision and work with local and national government to find ways to improve choice and availability. This report showed that: “only 2% of parent carers felt their child was completely included in the local community. One young person described their holidays: “Nothing to do that includes me with my brothers, or friends … only things with my family. And my mum works full time and does everything for us on her own with no help from anyone. She is exhausted so we don’t want to put more pressure on her to take us places”.
The debate on wraparound childcare took place thanks to a campaign by Dundee parent carer Nicola Donnelly. We know that many parent carers have similar stories. Get in touch with us at Contact Scotland [email protected] to help inform Scottish government and parliament.
The government is proposing to remove access to the health element (currently called the limited capability for work and work-related activity – LCWRA element) of Universal Credit for most young adults aged 16 – 21 once they claim Universal Credit in their own right.
We are campaigning to stop this cut in Universal Credit for disabled young adults. This is also one of the proposals in the Pathways to Work green paper that the government is consulting on. Other reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will go through parliament.
You can respond online, please remember you don’t have to answer every question. Question 11 relates to the proposal to remove the health element of Universal Credit for young people aged 16 – 21.
Transport to school or college for disabled students aged 16 – 18 Is not working because of the loophole in the law. Young people are expected to be in education or training until 18 but the right to council transport can stop or change at 16.
Disabled young people often have to travel further to a school or college that meets their needs, and usually can’t use cheaper transport such as using a bus pass on public transport. This is unfair on disabled student and parent carers are calling for this to end.
Contact has participated in a roundtable discussion on school attendance, hosted by Claire Young, the Liberal Democrat MP for Thornbury and Yate.
The event took place in Westminster last month. Other representatives from different educational charities and professional organisations also attended. Conversations focused on how attendance policies impact children with special educational needs and their families.
Topics discussed included:
The importance of supporting a child to attend school.
The need to stop issuing fixed-penalty fines to families whose children are not attending school due to their disability or additional needs.
The lack of support and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in education settings causing absence because of unmet needs.
The use of part-time timetables and exclusions as a way to avoid supporting children.
The government must reset its approach to attendance
Contact has long had concerns over the government’s drive for high attendance standards. This has created a system in which attendance figures are prized over a pupil’s wellbeing and access to education. We know this approach unfairly impacts disabled children and those with physical and mental health conditions, for whom high attendance is often an unrealistic aim.
Contact, in partnership with Define Fine, is calling on the Government to reset its approach to attendance by:
1. Pursing a cultural change in both the narrative and approaches to attendance
2. Creating an Attendance Code of Practice. This should consolidate all government guidance in one place, and there must be consequences for schools who disregard the code.
3. Establishing robust accountability mechanisms for all education settings who fail to comply with their statutory duties under the Working Together to Improve School Attendance Guidance and the Equality Act 2010.
4. Investing in the SEN System. Missing education should not be a result of needs not being met in school or lack of appropriate education setting.
You can read more about Contact and Define fine’s attendance asks in our policy paper.
Working parents whose child will be nine months old before 1 September 2025 will benefit from the expansion of the government’s free childcare scheme.
Working parents of nine month – two year olds currently getting 15 hours’ free childcare will see their entitlement double.
What is the government’s free childcare scheme?
For some time, working families of three- and four-year-olds have been entitled to 30 hours’ free early education/childcare for 38 weeks of the year.
In 2023, the previous government announced that entitlement would expand to all children of working parents over nine months old.
Since September 2024, working parents of children over nine months old are eligible for 15 hours’ free childcare. And from September 2025, all working parents of children over nine months will be entitled to the full 30 hours.
Who is eligible?
Aside from your child meeting the age criteria, you must be a working parent and meet certain income requirements.
Visit our childcare costs webpage to find out about other childcare schemes you might be eligible for. These include the tax-free childcare scheme and childcare hours in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
This summer, Contact joins forces with climate and arts partners to bring a series of free, family-friendly climate circus performances to outdoor venues across Yorkshire.
The immersive, nature-based theatre events will take place throughout the summer. They’ll offer audiences a spectacular blend of interactive theatre, circus magic and a chance to imagine a hopeful future. The events will fuse performance and opportunities to take part in positive conversations. Audiences will move through woodland clearings and natural environments transformed into enchanted worlds.
Where and when
Saturday 12 July, 2pm – Woodville Centre, Keighley. BOOK A PLACE
Sunday 13 July, 2pm – Woodville Centre, Keighley. BOOK A PLACE
Saturday 26 July, 2pm – Sheffield Woodland Discovery Centre BOOK A PLACE
Sunday 27 July, 2pm – Sheffield Woodland Discovery Centre – BOOK A PLACE
The show is designed with children aged 8 -12 in mind, but is open to all ages. Parents of older children (up to age 25) are also welcome to attend if they feel the performance is suitable for their child’s learning age or interests.
More about this project
Contact is collaborating with Hope for the Future, in partnership with Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education CIC and the London School of Economics (LSE), to deliver activities that empower community-led climate advocacy.
The government is proposing to remove access to the health element (currently called the limited capability for work and work-related activity – LCWRA element) of Universal Credit for most young adults aged 16 – 21 once they claim Universal Credit in their own right.
This proposal would mean a huge drop in income of almost £100 per week for nearly 110,000 disabled young adults.
It would have a devastating financial impact not only on disabled young adults who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), but also on many who are in education or low-paid employment.
This proposal pushes disabled young adults and their families further away from employment prospects and further into poverty.
It is not a policy that should be implemented. It is not a proposal that Contact could support in any way.
We must stop this. Please support our campaign!
Email your MP to oppose the change
Please email your local MP about the devastating impact this will have on disabled young people.
We are asking MPs to write to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP, to rethink this proposal.
Thank you to everyone who has been emailing their MPs recently. We really appreciate your support.
Will anyone be exempt from this proposal if it goes ahead?
The Green Paper acknowledges that the government needs to “consider what special provisions need to be put in place for those young people where engagement with work or training is not a realistic prospect”.
In a speech last week (21 May), the Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP, said:
“Those with the most severe, life-long conditions that will never improve and who can never work will have their Universal Credit protected – including young people aged under 22.”
However, this extremely high threshold offers very little protections for most young disabled adults.
Ultimately, Contact does not accept that there is any justification for slashing financial support for any young disabled person aged 16 – 21.
The government has announced a new programme to improve access to school sports for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Inclusion 2028 will receive an initial £300,000 first-year funding and will aim to help 240,000 pupils with SEND. Teachers will receive training to deliver lessons that meet a diverse range of needs. Pupils will also have leadership opportunities to develop activities for their peers.
We welcome this new funding and hope it fulfills the government’s stated aim to improve attendance and making schools more inclusive to disabled children.
All children need the chance to play. Many disabled children and young people say that leisure and play – after school, in the holidays and at weekends – is the most important missing element in their lives. That’s why Contact puts on sports events as part of our Better Together programme.
Has your child ever felt like they don’t fit in anywhere? Or like no-one understands what things feel like?
Maybe they feel like they’re the only person in the world who looks, moves or thinks like they do.
Cathy Reay, disabled writer, journalist, and single mum to two disabled children, wants your child to know that they are not alone. They belong in the world exactly as they are.
This is the message of Cathy’s new book, “How to be disabled and proud (or at least kinda sorta okay with it…)”. Described as a “powerful call to action for both disabled and non-disabled children”, the book aims to encourage readers to advocate for a more accessible world and to inspire them to embrace their disabled identity.
Written for children aged nine and up, it’s also an essential guide to growing up disabled. From navigating school life, finding disabled community and building confidence, to facing challenges like bullying and discrimination and learning how to value and celebrate yourself, just as you are.
In our latest podcast episode, we’re delighted to welcome Cathy to talk about her new book. We also hear some moments that made you proud of your disabled child, shared on our Facebook page.
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