The Library and Information team receives thousands of enquiries each year. Here are some of the more frequently asked questions. Please don't hesitate to contact the library and information team if you have a question that isn't dealt with here.
How many disabled children are there in the UK?
It is widely recognised there are limitations in the sources of information for the numbers of disabled children in Britain, including information on the split of disabled children by specific conditions. The difference between estimates arises mainly from the different definitions of disability used.
The main sources of information are:
‘Report 3 of OPCS (Office for Population, Censuses and Surveys) Survey, The Prevalence of Disability Amongst Children’ 1985, Bone and Meltzer, 1989 found that 3% of children in the UK are disabled.
‘Living in Britain, Results from the 2002 General Household Survey’, Office for National Statistics (2004) reports there are 770,000 (7%) disabled children in the UK.
The Family Resource Survey 2005-2006, Office for National Statistics also estimates over 700,000 (7%) children under the age of 16 with an ‘estimated longstanding illness, disability or infirmity that limits their activity’.
‘The Socio-Economic Circumstances of Families Supporting a Child at Risk of Disability in Britain in 2002’. Lancaster University .Emerson, E. and Hatton, C. (2005) analysed the 2002 Families and Children Study using a broader definition of disability. Their results suggested that 10% of all children are disabled. This equates to just under 1.2 million children under the age of 17 in the UK.
Where can I get information on the concept of disability and the barriers disabled people face?
The Disabled Living Foundation produce a factsheet on Disability Awareness which you can download.
Shape’s ‘Open the Door’ project provides training on disability awareness and equality throughout the UK.
The Disability Discrimmination Act 1995, amended in 2005, gives disabled people civil rights and protects from discrimination in every day life.
The United Nations Convention on Disability Rights was signed by the UK in March 2007 and has details of rights of disabled children.
Where can I get advice for working with a child who has challenging behaviour?
A range of organisations give information on managing difficult behaviour. Some specific conditions may be associated with a tendency to challenging behaviour - it might be worth looking up a specific condition support group if you have a diagnosis for the child.
For other resources see:
National Autistic Society: information sheets on dealing with different types of behaviour
ADDISS, the ADHD centre: behaviour management resources.
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation: books, DVD’s and a professional’s network.
BILD (British Institute of Learning Disabilities: books and resources for professionals.
Where can I find books and resources for disabled children and their siblings?
Many specific condition support groups produce information for young people or siblings. There are too many to name here, but if you know the child’s diagnosis it may be worth contacting them.
The Letterbox Library has a catalogue of books for children which feature disabled children and are helpful in promoting understanding and explaining ‘difference’ for all ages from 0-12 plus years old.
Here are some organisations that hold information specifically for young people:
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the Children’s Society both have websites aimed at young carers which include information for families and professionals, and list where to find your local young carers project.
The NHS has a website with age appropriate information written for children and young people from 4-18 years old, explaining hospital treatments, what to expect, who’s who at the hospital and an A-Z of illness written for children to understand. It has fun zones and a ‘share your story’ for children. It also has a family section.
Do you know of any research on the value of short breaks?
Contact a Family have several guides with all the information about your rights to short breaks and how to get them.
See Web:
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/families/rightsandentitlements/shortbreaks.html
Shared Care Network is a national charity representing family-based short break schemes for disabled children and young people in the UK. They have research and good practice.
See their website for details; in particular:
Creative responses to changing needs (2007)
All kinds of short breaks (2004)
Too disabled for care? A report on short break services for children with complex healthcare needs (2003)
NCH, the children’s charity supports some of the UK's most vulnerable and excluded children and young people and have a briefing on this.
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has published a research briefing.
I work with disabled teenagers. Where can I get information about rights as they’re growing up and transition to adult services?
Contact a Family produce several guides and pod casts to money, leaving school and sex and relationships, bringing together all the main issues
‘A Transition Guide for all Services - key information for professionals about the transition process for disabled young people’ brings together key information for professionals about the transition process. It includes information on statutory duties and offers examples of good practice. It also lists various publications and reports
‘Transition: Moving on Well - A good practice guide for health professionals and their partners on transition planning for young people with complex health needs or a disability’ from the Department of Health has information on effective transition from children's to adult services for young people with complex health needs.
‘TransPlan’ is a practical interactive step by step guide to successful transition for young people age 13-19 with additional educational needs. It was developed in the North East but can be used as a guide outside the region.
You can also visit the Transition Information Network website for further resources.
The Family Planning Association has information for young people with learning difficulties.
The National Autistic Society has guides for young people with learning difficulties about relationships and sex.
Brooke has information for young disabled people, 'Young disabled people can...' about relationships, contraception etc and 'Living Your Life' a resource for professionals working with them.
Life Support Productions has various sex education resources and dvd's for young people with learning difficulties/special needs.
SRE Resources publish sex and relationships education resources aimed at learners with learning disabilities and physical disabilities.
Where can I find information about the law and good practice for working with families with disabled children?
Contact a Family produce many guides explaining the law to parents and professionals.
The Department of Health has all the government information on legislation, carers rights and good practice guides for professionals working with carers.
Aiming High for Disabled Children is the most recent transformation programme of disabled children's services and you can find out more what is expected of professionals on their website.
The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services (C4EO) is a new organisation aiming to identify and coordinate good and practice and what works for all children’s services - early years, disability, vulnerable children, youth, parents, carers and families and schools and communities.
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