Families still struggling to access support despite lockdown easing

2 mins read

Friday 14 May 2021

Tags: lockdown, social isolation

Health and therapy services are still not reaching disabled children and families, new research from the Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP) shows – despite government assurances that these services are supposed to be a priority.

The DCP’s No End In Site report [PDF] also finds that in spite of lockdown restrictions easing, disabled children and their families continue to experience severe levels of social isolation.

The report, which presents the findings of the DCP’s third survey of its Parent Panel on the impact of the pandemic, finds that:

  • More than half of families are unable to access therapies vital for their disability, such as occupational, speech and language, and physical therapies.
  • 60 per cent are experiencing delays and challenges with accessing the health service appointments they need, such as routine check-ups, treatments and operations
  • 65 per cent of parents indicated that they may have possible or probable depression, with the mental wellbeing of parents significantly lower than the general population.

These worrying statistics show that urgent action is needed. Although recent steps from the government to prioritise services and increase recovery funding weighting to special schools are welcome, this research shows that more needs to be done. 

As part of the DCP, we are continuing to back the #LeftInLockdown campaign for a dedicated Covid-19 recovery plan for disabled children and families.

Read the No End In Site report in full [PDF].