More co-ordinated care for children with complex disabilities

Children with complex disabilities are set to receive better social care, education and health as a result of a guide published today, according to the Department of Health.

A statement from the DH said that too few areas are achieving best practice and the guide would help services to improve. Care services minister Liam Byrne said: “The most disabled children with the most complex needs are at the greatest risk of unequal treatment. “Our ambition is to create a Britain of equal life chances and key to this is better healthcare for all our children, especially those with complex disabilities who need it most,” he added.

The guide is part of a series produced to help people who work with children to improve their services. The Complex Disability Exemplar aims to improve local practice in the commissioning and delivery of services for disabled children and act as a training tool for staff working with children with complex needs. It highlights the importance of involving parents and advocates greater collaboration between different agencies and professionals.

The Complex Disability Exemplar is available from www.dh.gov.uk