Scope comment on Riven Vincent story

20 January 2011

Richard Hawkes, chief executive of disability charity Scope, commented:

“Sadly we know that many families who care for disabled children are often pushed towards breaking point as they struggle to juggle various demands, from caring for your child, fighting to get the support you need and living in a society that still isn’t fully accessible for disabled people.

“The combination of all these factors puts enormous pressures on families so when they are refused additional support it can be the tipping point that pushes them over the edge.

"Families with disabled children are already heavily reliant on public services for access to social care support and with local authorities facing budget cuts of 28% it’s likely we’ll see more of these budgets being squeezed.

"Whilst the government has committed £800 milion for respite, this money hasn’t been ring-fenced so essentially local authorities can spend this money where they choose.

"We think the government doesn’t fully understand the pressures and the realities of disabled people’s lives or they wouldn’t be making decisions that have such a detrimental impact on these families.

"We understand the pressures local authorities are faced with but we urge them to spend the money on providing additional support where and when it’s needed. Aside from the benefit of keeping these families together, it’s actually more cost-effective in the long term."

Read the full story in The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jan/19/mother-disabled-daughter-care

Contact Scope Response if you are experiencing similar issues and need help. http://www.scope.org.uk/help-and-information

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