Government strategy for disabled children must include health and care, says Together for Short Lives

Together for Short Lives has welcomed the UK Government’s new national disability strategy, but has urged ministers to do more to improve the things that matter to seriously ill children and their families.

We believe that the government’s ambition that disabled children and young people should have the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers is a good one. We also welcome the commitments on:

• housing
• improving the quality of and access to education for those with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• smoothing transitions to adulthood
• developing more inclusive playgrounds.

However, we are concerned that the strategy fails to set out a programme for improving outcomes for disabled children, and in particular those with serious, complex health conditions.

Andy Fletcher, Chief Executive of Together for Short Lives, said:

“I commend the Prime Minister’s determination to level up the country for everyone, including disabled people. However, if he is committed to building back better and fairer for all, his government must do more to join up assessments, plans and services for disabled children with the most serious conditions, for whom time is short.”

“This strategy shows that, too often, ministers see policy for disabled children through the lens of educational attainment or access to work. Crucial as these are, it does little to recognise the importance of the complex array of health and social care services that seriously ill children and their families need. Without them, it is often impossible to access education, form relationships, build social networks, enjoy leisure time and make memories with their families. These are the things that really matter to seriously ill children.”