Disabled Children Covid-19 Recovery Plan
2021-04-26
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Disabled Children's Partnership reports that over half of disabled children's health has declined due to delayed and reduced essential health and therapy appointments.
What assessment has been made regarding the potential merits of implementing a covid-19 recovery plan specifically aimed at supporting disabled children and their families, given the reported deterioration in their health?
We have allocated £1.7 billion to support education recovery, and Sir Kevan Collins has been appointed to lead our work targeting resources towards those with the greatest need. Schools can use their catch-up and recovery funding to purchase additional therapies; many special schools in Bedfordshire have already done so. The high-needs funding budget for this financial year has increased by 8%, on top of an 8% increase last year.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific request for a cross-departmental therapies and health catch-up plan was not directly addressed with a commitment to develop such a plan.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Disabled Children's Partnership reports that over half of disabled children's health has declined due to delayed and reduced essential health and therapy appointments. The Government have advised prioritising these appointments but many families are not being reached.
Given the reported deterioration in the health of disabled children, will the Minister develop a cross-departmental therapies and health catch-up plan for disabled children and families as part of the wider covid-19 recovery efforts?
Schools can use catch-up and recovery funding for additional therapies, and special schools have already done so. The high-needs funding budget has increased by 8% for this financial year and an additional 8% last year.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific request for a cross-departmental plan was not directly addressed with a commitment to develop such a plan.
Response accuracy