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Childcare

What is the issue?

Childcare is often a problem for families with disabled children – being able to pay for childcare, getting information about childcare and access to appropriate childcare.

'Childcare' for disabled children also often continues to be needed well into the teenage years.

What is the government doing about it?

The government introduced a system of Working Tax Credits which allow working parents to claim up to 80% of their childcare costs to a maximum of £175 for one child. The costs of using a home care agency can be covered.
The government have produced a ten year strategy for childcare. This strategy led to a new Childcare Act which aims to improve the supply of childcare and give parents better information. There is more information on this at Every Child Matters.
Through Aiming High for Disabled Children the government has set aside additional money to pilot accessible childcare, so that more disabled children can access childminders, nurseries and similar services.

What is Contact a Family doing about it?

Working with the Ministerial Implementation Group for Aiming High for Disabled Children to help the government develop pilots for accessible childcare
lobbying the government about the Childcare Act, which comes in from April 2008 to extend it to older disabled children
researching parents’ experience of childcare.
producing guidance for Family Information Services about improving information to families with disabled children
producing information for families about accessing childcare

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