Call for advocacy right for disabled children away from home

More than eight out of 10 adults believe disabled children and young people placed away from home should have access to an independent advocate, research published by the Children’s Society today reveals.

However, the charity said just 5 per cent of the 13,000 children who fall into this category have access to an advocate, leaving them open to bullying, intimidation and demeaning treatment.

The charity has launched a campaign urging the government to grant all disabled children placed away from home unconditional access to an independent advocate.

Penny Nicolls, strategy director at the Children’s Society, said: “Disabled children placed away from home are often denied very basic rights and are more at risk of harm than other children. Every child deserves a good childhood and disabled children placed away from home should have access to an independent advocate to safeguard this entitlement.”

The survey, carried out by Ipsos Mori, also found three-quarters of adults believe more needs to be done to improve support for disabled children.