The needs of disabled children and their families

A national survey of over a thousand parents has explored the needs and circumstances of families caring for a severely disabled child. The research, carried out by Bryony Beresford at the Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, sought parents' views of their and their child's needs as well as their experiences as service users. Parents also reported the care demands and impact on living circumstances brought about by having a disabled child. Comparisons with data collected twenty years ago indicate little improvement in the circumstances in which families are caring for their severely disabled child.