About the campaign

"I'm suicidal, so is my disabled son. We're in the middle of legal proceedings to get the help we so desperately need. I've had bronchitis for three weeks as I can't rest due to having to watch the children together every minute of every day. I can't work, I rarely go out, I'm isolated. Unless this changes, I cannot continue."

More than half a million UK families face a daily challenge to get support for their disabled child. The current lack of local services and respite care makes it much harder than it needs to be. More than six in ten parents can't get the services they need in their local area and are fighting tough long battles to find them elsewhere. It's time to change local services for disabled children.

Disabled children need schools and services that are right for them. Parents need access to respite care and other support. Too often this means travelling great distances or sending a disabled child to live away from home. One dad told Scope, "My wife has been driving over 100 miles a day just to get our daughter to school."

Not having the support they need near home takes a huge toll on families. Almost all parents of disabled children suffer anxiety and stress. Half miss out on the family time that many of us take for granted, like celebrating birthdays and simply playing together.

With no local support, some parents cannot hold down jobs and so struggle financially.

Our chance for change

"I cry every day because there is no hope and no one cares. If I had just a little help we could live a more normal and fulfilling life."

Do you believe in supporting families? The Government is putting a new Children and Families Bill through Parliament that will say what happens in England. The Welsh Government is also writing a new Bill to reform Special Educational Needs in Wales. We want these Bills to include a guarantee of better support for disabled children and their families in their local area.

Please take action now or find out more about what we want from the Children and Families Bill and the Wales SEN Bill.

Download more information about the campaign (PDF)

Download the Keep Us Close report (PDF)

Are you affected by these issues? 
If you need support please visit the Help and Information area of our website.
If you would like to share your story to support the campaign please contact the Campaigns team: email campaigns@scope.org.uk.