Welfare Reform on the Web (June 2004): Services for the Disabled - UK

DISABLED CHILDREN IN RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS (Word DOC file)

Anon

2004

The report draws together information about the numbers, circumstances and outcomes of disabled children in residential placements provided by Social, Education and Health Services. There are 1320 disabled children looked after in residential settings, 595 of whom are in residential schools and 620 in children's homes. The vast majority of looked after disabled children are white and aged 10-15 years. Data for children in schools is collected by special educational need (SEN), rather than by disability but there is a large overlap. There are about 10,500 pupils in residential special schools. Nearly all of these children have statements of SEN, but data are not collected about whether or not they are disabled. Current available data on hospital admissions does not identify disabled children as a group.

MAKING THE TRANSITION: ADDRESSING BARRIERS IN SERVICES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

I. Grewal and others

Department for Work and Pensions, 2004 (Research report; no.204)

Presents findings from a qualitative research study examining how and why disabled people experience discontinuity in service provision when making structural transitions in their lives, and how organisational, budgetary and procedural barriers to making smooth transitions might be addressed.

TIME TO GO HOME: PUTTING TOGETHER A PACKAGE OF CARE

A. Gatford

Child, Vol. 30, 2004, p.243-246

The article explores the difficulties parents and care services face when planning care for a severely disabled child in the family home. Through a case study it examines the processes involved in moving a child from a specialist rehabilitation centre to their home and the problems caused by lack of co-ordination between services.