Children's charities squeezed by government policies

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Progress in provision that was made in 2009-2011 against this background is further threatened by funding cuts applied by the current coalition government and may compound this marginalisation.

With the provisions of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review in place, the efficacy of all services is under the spot-light, and those for children with disabilities, which can be expensive, are under pressure for cuts. The 2011-2014 Early Intervention Grant, which replaces the Labour Government’s Aiming High for Disabled Children Programme (2009-2011), is not ring fenced for families with disabled children and can be diverted into other services.

Academics at the University of Surrey are investigating access to short break (respite) services by this vulnerable group and identifying opportunities for them to participate in play and leisure schemes. Short breaks help to reduce the social isolation often experienced by families with a disabled child. They allow parents and carers to have a break from caring, and to work, or attend to other children. They enable the child with disabilities to socialise in a safe and fun environment, and engage in activities that help promote self-esteem and well-being. With little knowledge on what children with disabilities do outside school, current research is focusing on their out-of-school lives. During the summer, the researchers established the range of holiday play schemes that are available to children with disabilities in Surrey. They also explored the views of a range of service providers (including charities and local authorities) and parents and carers on the most appropriate services for children with different categories of disability. A large survey has just been launched that will try to reach all parents and carers of children with disabilities in Surrey to learn more about their use of existing play and leisure provision and their needs and preferences for such services.

The study by staff in the University’s Psychology and Economics departments has shown that attempts by central government in the last decade to pursue a more inclusive agenda have resulted in a complex web of policies that have left voluntary organisations, charities and local district and borough councils taking the strain.

Dr Heather Gage, who led the research said: “Surrey benefits from a high level of provision by the voluntary and charity sector; however, due to complicated funding arrangements, there is no evidence to show that services are reaching even a majority of disabled children. The fear is that some disabled children are still very isolated when not in school.”

Professor Annette Sterr, Head of the Department of Psychology, who has a disability herself, commented: “It is very important that these families – both the adults and those children being cared for – get the opportunity to socialise and take part in society just like everyone else. “Some services, though well meaning, can exacerbate the isolation that these people feel.”

The research was funded by a private sponsor who came into contact with the Disability Challengers charity, based in Guildford but which works with hundreds of families who have children with disabilities across Surrey and Hampshire.

Margaret Ward, CEO of the charity, said: “We have become used to providing services to disabled children from a jigsaw of statutory funding supplemented by our own considerable community fundraising. Parents tell us what a difference our short breaks make to the lives of their children and their ability to cope. Potential funding cuts and the lack of transparency about the Early Intervention Grant – promised to parents of disabled children – put our services at risk; not only for our current families but also for those considerable numbers who may be missing out altogether."   

Media enquiries: Luke Harrison, Communications Assistant at the University of Surrey, tel: 01483 683509 or e-mail: l.harrison@surrey.ac.uk