Stigma and discrimination 2 mins read Key statistics 22 per cent of parent carers say that their child is illegally excluded every week, and 15 per cent say every day (Falling through the net, 2013). 50 per cent of parent carers say their child’s illegal exclusions prevent them from working (Falling through the net, 2013). 96 per cent of parent carers said that their disabled child has been bullied at school (Bullying of children with disabilies in schools, 2011). Challenging the stigma around benefits take up, 2014 [PDF] Based on more than 3,500 responses to our Counting the Costs campaign, this research looks at whether the negative narrative about benefit claimants is putting some families off financial support that their child is entitled to. Key findings: 70 per cent say stigma of claiming disability benefits for their children has increased in the last two years. 62 per cent don’t tell people that they claim benefits for their disabled child. 11 per cent received verbal insults from friends or family members because they claim benefits for their disabled child. Falling through the net – a report on illegal exclusions in England and Wales, 2013 [PDF] Based on our experience of working alongside families with disabled children, we know that illegal exclusions are common. We wanted to find out how often they happen and what the impact is on family life. This report provides a summary of survey findings based on the experiences of 404 parent carers. Join our campaign against illegal exclusions. Key findings: 53 per cent of respondents say their disabled child was excluded because the school does not have enough staff. 22 per cent of parent carers say that their child is illegally excluded every week, and 15 per cent say every day. 53 per cent say their child is falling behind with school work because of illegal exclusions. Bullying of children with disabilities and special educational needs in schools, 2011 [PDF] This paper is part of a suite of briefings for school leaders, teachers and policy makers emerging from the current work of the Anti-Bullying Alliance in conjunction with Contact a Family’s research. Key findings: The most common forms of bullying experienced were verbal (36 per cent) followed by emotional (30 per cent) and physical (28 per cent). 85 per cent of respondents believed this bullying was because their child had disabilities or special educational needs. 68 per cent of parents said they didn’t think the school’s response was effective and appropriate