Latest News for Parents & Carers

The number of complaints from parents about special needs education has risen by three-quarters in the past four years – with more than one complaint a day filed last year, according to figures from the local government ombudsman. The increase reflects the crisis in the special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system, with rising demand, chronic underfunding, lengthy delays and enduring gaps in provision.

From tipping people out of their wheelchairs to patronising comments and taking unwanted snaps, the reality of everyday behaviour towards disabled people is revealed in Scope’s largest attitude survey.

Together for Short Lives, Contact, Scope and other organisations representing disabled children and their families have published an open letter to the Conservative Party Leadership candidates calling for urgent action to address the mounting hardship facing families caring for seriously ill and disabled children. Like many across the UK, these families are facing the alarming news that Cornwall Insight is now predicting the energy price cap to rise by 81% in October and then again by a further 19% in January.

The cost of living crisis is hitting some particularly hard and tonight there are urgent calls for further targeted support for the most vulnerable.

Around six million disabled people will receive a £150 cost of living payment from the end of September, the government says. The payment is intended to help disabled people with the rising cost of living and the higher costs they face, such as for care and mobility needs.