Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Challenging Perceptions of Disabled Children and Young People
Amanda Harvey-Assistant DirectorCouncil for Disabled Children
• The Council
• DfE Strategic Reform Partner
• With National Children’s Bureau – Department of Health Strategic Partner
• Young people at the centre of what we do
• Work with parents
• Work with practitioners, clinicians, teachers
• Work with researchers
• Work with commissioners
Council for Disabled Children
•Look at perceptions and impact•Think about how we understand disability•Talk a lot about importance of cyp voice and participation•Ask you to think about how professionals in your area can work together to improve the lives of disabled cyp
This presentation will
• (67%) of the British public feel uncomfortable talking to disabled people.• Over a third of people tend to think of disabled people as not as productive as everyone else.• A quarter of disabled people have experienced attitudes or behaviours where other people expected less of them because of their disability.• (21%) of 18 – 34 years old admit that they have actually avoided talking to a disabled person because they weren’tsure how to communicate with them.
Perceptions of Disabled CYP
•People underestimated their ability and held limited expectations and aspirations•Too often they find it hard to get their views heard and taken seriously. •Equally often, they have little autonomy over decisions that affect their lives. •They face barriers to communicating with others including professionals and service providers•They are less likely than their peers to be involved in mainstream participation opportunities. •They grow up experiencing societies negative views about disabled children and young people.
Impact- Disabled Children and Young People report that:
Medical Model of Disability
Special Bus
Special Services
Who is the expert?
Aspirations and Outcomes for Disabled CYP
Social Model of Disability
What are the differences?
My disabled child
Has a placementUses special transportAccesses a mainstream activityIs in transitionHas annual reviewsHas siblingsRequires interventionHas peers
My non disabled child
Goes to schoolGets the busGoes swimming
Is moving up to collegeHas parent’s eveningsHas brothers and sistersRequires help and supportHas friends
1. Charlie is a young person with a disability2. Society creates barriers which results in disabled children
having unequal life chances3. Levi needs a disabled toilet4. Anna cant read the book because she is blind5. Helen has needs a special bus to get to school
Quick Quiz! Medical or Social Model?
Why does voice matter?
What happens if you don’t listen?
Rebecca is…•13 years old•Has complex health needs•Has a package of support including a day center, weekend respite, physio and occupational therapy•Police have been called to the family home by neighbours with reports of physical fights between parents
What about Rebecca?
•Section 19 principles•Early identification and support•Trained and equipped workforce•Easily accessible information•Clear focus on outcomes•Assessment and EHC Plan from birth to 25
Children and Families Act 2014 The vision
Local authority functions: supporting and involving children and young people
A local authority in England must have regard to…(a)The views, wishes and feelings of the child… or the young person…(b)The importance of the child… or the young person participating as fully as possible in decisions…(c)The importance of the child… or the young person being provided with the information and support necessary to enable participation in those decisions
The culture change, s19
• Individual children and young people receive the right additional support in the right way to safeguard them when required and enable them to reach their goals and potential
• Ensures that those planning services and opportunities for disabled young people are informed by disabled young people and develop services fit for purpose
• Challenges disablism, low expectations, and the accompanying complacency about the little it’s OK to do at a societal level
Why does voice and participation matter?
•Review the barriers•Remove the barriers•An individual responsibility for being part of the solution •Agree an agenda for change•Build on existing good practice
Safeguarding disabled children and young people
How can we improve the lives of disabled children and young people?
•Focus on value not impairment•Hate crime strategy•Campaign focused on changing general attitudes towards disabled children and young people•Review adequacy of support for disabled cyp•Advocacy•Workforce development•Accessibility•Safeguarding •Transitions to Adulthood•Aspirations, Opportunities and Outcomes
CDC's vision is a society in which disabled children's life chances are assured, their needs met, their aspirations supported and their rights respected.
We believe that:Disabled children and young people should enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other childrenAll disabled children and young people communicate and have a right to have their views heardThe views of disabled children, young people and their families are vital to the development of an inclusive societyAll disabled children and young people should be fully included in every aspect of society
CDC-Vision and Values
•VIPER•CHUMS•EPIC•Our Rights, Our Voice•CDC Young Ambassadors•Making Ourselves Heard
CDC and Participation
Disabled children are not victims, but individuals in their own right with hopes and dreams
Safeguarding is about recognising children and young people’s humanity, not losing sight of it and then applying exactly the same procedures we do for all children and young people in that position
Today’s conference makes a very good start !!!
Final thoughts
About our current work on safeguarding and social care … new toolkit available January 2015
More information at [email protected]
See CDC website at www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk
Want to know more ?
Visit our website:www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk
Find us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/councilfordisabledchildren
Follow us on twitter:@CDC_tweets
Get in touch
