Time to Get Equal: children's rights

Almost one in five children around 1.5 million - have some form of Special Educational Needs (SEN) at some time. (Department for Education and Skills statistics, 2002 and 2003)

We say

Disabled children have rights - human rights - which include the right to equal access to cultural, artistic, recreational and play activities (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child).

The Children Act 2004 sets out the framework to reform children's services to achieve the 'five outcomes' for every child: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, economic well-being, and making a positive contribution. Local authorities and relevant agencies now have a duty to co-operate to deliver these outcomes. The Act also establishes a range of new structures to achieve this, including the Children's Commissioner, Directors of Children's Services and Children's Trusts. Scope continues to work with both local and central government to ensure that these changes result in better services for disabled children and their families.

Take action

Read Scope's view on the case of Ashley X, the American child who received radical medical and surgical treatment to prevent her from growing to adulthood, at www.scope.org.uk/childrensrights    

Every Disabled Child Matters is a campaign to get rights and justice for every disabled child. Scope is a partner in the campaign through the Special Educational Consortium. Scope supports the Every Disabled Child Matters Family Support Bill.

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Show your support by lobbying your MP to support the Bill at http://www.edcm.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_1668sh_10946900132166z92d_2006972058f