Limited support in meeting the high costs of childcare and a lack of suitable provision mean that parents of disabled children cannot afford to return to work, says a new survey by the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign (EDCM) and the Family Fund.
The report, Breaking down barriers: making work pay for families with disabled children, warns that Government proposals for Universal Credit will not make work financially worthwhile for families with disabled children.
It sets out the findings of a survey of families with disabled children who receive grant help from the Family Fund on the barriers they face entering and remaining in employment. Only 24 per cent of survey respondents currently access childcare, and 66 per cent of respondents stated that they pay more for childcare for their disabled child than for their non-disabled child. The report quotes one parent as saying: “I could not afford to go back to work full time as both my children have disabilities and would need separate childcare… the cost would make working a pointless exercise”.
The report raises concerns that, despite introducing a 10 per cent cut in support for meeting childcare costs from April 2011, the Government has yet to set out proposals for childcare support within the Universal Credit.
Parents also highlighted the importance of direct financial support to help them meet the additional costs of caring and of moving into employment. They reported that Government plans to halve the financial support that 63 per cent of disabled children in low and out of work households receive through disability additions within the Universal Credit will be “devastating” and will “restrict the quality of life for the whole family”.
The report calls upon the Government to commit to improving the quality and availability of childcare for disabled children, and commit to providing at least current levels of financial support through disability additions within the Universal Credit.
