DCP launches Manifesto 2024

2 mins read

Friday 19 January 2024

Tags: disabled children's partnership, general election

The Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP), chaired by Contact CEO Anna Bird, is proud to launch its Manifesto 2024.

A Manifesto for Disabled Children and their families sets out what the campaign group wants to see from the next government. There will be a general election by January 2025 at the latest, and political parties are currently putting together their offer to voters.

The DCP, a coalition of more than 100 organisations backed by thousands of parent carers, is calling for parties to put families with disabled children at the heart of the next government.

The key asks of the Manifesto are:

  • Make disabled children a priority.
    Those at the heart of politics need to prioritise the needs of disabled children and their families. They must acknowledge disabled children and their families as equal, valued members of society. We want all parties to commit to the appointment of a Minister for Disabled Children and to producing a cross party disabled children’s strategy. 
  • Clarify and enforce rights, and review the law.
    The next Government must commit to stronger accountability within the SEND system; to making the education system inclusive; and to ensuring that disabled children and young people receive the support they need across the education, health and social care systems. 
  • Address funding shortfalls and create a dedicated fund for disabled children.
    Making disabled children the priority and having a system that is fit for purpose with effective accountability will help make this happen. But the right level of funding is also vital.

We encourage all supporters to share our manifesto with their prospective parliamentary candidates. You can find out who that is at Who can I vote for?.