A new report has revealed serious failings in the provision of paediatric continence supplies across England, Wales, and Scotland, leaving disabled children and their families struggling without proper support. Research by Cerebra, alongside Leeds University’s School of Law and the Parent and Carer Alliance CIC, highlights the lack of clear guidance on dignified and accessible continence care. Many families are forced to cover the cost of essential products, while poor-quality supplies lead to additional expenses, including increased laundry and damage to clothing and furniture.

Children with bladder and bowel conditions are often left with ineffective, oversized products, resulting in distress, embarrassment, and social exclusion. Frequent leaks and odours make them vulnerable to bullying and prevent them from fully participating in childhood activities. Report author Luke Clements, Cerebra Professor of Law & Social Justice, described the situation as a “devastating failure” by health and social care services, urging immediate government intervention.

With 900,000 children in the UK affected by bladder and bowel dysfunction, disabled children are disproportionately impacted. Delays in accessing adequate support leave many in pain, at risk of long-term health issues, and socially isolated. Parents often feel blamed for seeking essential products, adding to their distress.

Lucy Fullard, CEO of the Parent and Carer Alliance CIC, called for urgent action, stating that the ongoing crisis is violating young people’s human rights. Cerebra is demanding clear national guidance to ensure all disabled children receive the continence care they deserve.

A new £1.6 million Learning Disability Support Fund has been launched in Scotland to help third sector organisations promote equality, inclusion, and better access to healthcare and social opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities. This initiative replaces the previous Inspiring Inclusion Learning Disability Fund, offering grants between £75,000 and £250,000.

Running for 30 months from October 2025, the fund will distribute £325,000 in its first year, followed by £650,000 annually for the next two years. Minister for Wellbeing, Social Care and Sport, Maree Todd, acknowledged the progress made over the past three decades in supporting those with learning disabilities but stressed the need for further improvements. She highlighted the vital role of third sector organisations in ensuring individuals can live independent, fulfilling lives and access essential services, including healthcare and relationship education.

The Scottish Government has shaped this funding programme based on feedback from people with learning disabilities and will continue working closely with charities to ensure the grants lead to meaningful change. The initiative aims to enhance access to crucial services and opportunities, helping individuals take an active role in their communities.

Celia Tennant, CEO of Inspiring Scotland, expressed pride in overseeing the application process, noting the significant impact such funding has had in the past. Eligible Scottish not-for-profits can apply until 11:59 am on Wednesday, 26 February 2025.

A new report highlights the significant economic benefits of increasing access to disability benefits, showing that the wellbeing boost of £42 billion outweighs the £28 billion annual cost of administering Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The research, titled More than Money: The Lifelong Wellbeing Impact of Disability Benefits, was commissioned by anti-poverty charity Z2K and conducted by think-tank Pro Bono Economics (PBE).

The report finds that many eligible disabled individuals are deterred from applying for these benefits due to barriers in the claims process, leading to poorer financial and health outcomes. Increased access to disability benefits, however, could significantly improve their wellbeing, valued at £12,300 annually per person. The findings suggest that, with over 3.5 million disabled individuals currently receiving benefits, this improvement could result in a £42 billion boost to the economy.

Matt Whittaker, CEO of Pro Bono Economics, emphasised that disability benefits provide vital financial support and enhance the mental wellbeing and life satisfaction of recipients. He called for reforms to simplify the claims process and make it more accessible to eligible individuals.

The report urges policymakers to focus on reducing barriers to accessing benefits and improving the support for applicants. Ayla Ozmen of Z2K stated that disability benefits should be seen as an investment in economic growth, rather than a financial burden.

Grimsby Garden Centre, operated by the not-for-profit organisation Navigo, is offering a unique way to support those dealing with mental health challenges. As part of its collaboration with NHS mental health services, the centre provides a therapeutic space where individuals can engage with nature and participate in gardening activities, which is proving beneficial for their mental wellbeing.

Martin, a volunteer at the garden centre, shared how spending time outdoors has positively impacted his life. "Being surrounded by nature really makes a difference," he said. "It’s been invaluable to me." Wayne, another participant, echoed these sentiments, noting that one of the best aspects of the programme is the welcoming community of people he has met.

The garden centre also receives referrals from other organisations, including Linkage College and Care Plus Group’s Employability Services. The centre currently supports around 40 participants weekly, offering them the chance to work in various areas such as the retail greenhouse, polytunnels, and an allotment for growing produce.

The initiative has not only provided therapeutic benefits but has also helped some individuals move into paid employment. Manager Craig Champion explained that the routine and structure of the centre give participants something to look forward to, helping them thrive both personally and professionally. "It’s fantastic to see them flourish in their lives," he said.

Autistic individuals in the UK are enduring severe challenges due to a failing system, according to a new report from the National Autistic Society. Authored by autistic staff, the report highlights inequalities in health and social care, education, employment, and mental health. With autistic people dying six years earlier than the general population, the charity is urging the government to prioritise autism in its policy agenda and include autistic voices in the NHS 10-year plan.

The report calls for urgent investment in community mental health services, noting that 1,430 autistic people are in mental health hospitals in England. Only 14% of autistic adults feel there are adequate services in their area, leaving many without support. Referrals are often rejected, and individuals are bounced between fragmented services. The charity warns the new Mental Health Bill will fail without substantial investment in preventative care.

Education is another battleground, with nearly three-quarters of parents believing their autistic children’s school places do not meet their needs. Many families wait years for support or are forced into SEND Tribunals, where most cases favour parents, exposing systemic failures. Meanwhile, over 200,000 people await autism assessments, with little support before or after diagnosis.

Mel Merritt, Head of Policy and Campaigns, called the constant fight "exhausting" and urged the government to prioritise autistic people in reforms, proposing a £1.3 billion investment over 15 years to address barriers and improve support systems.

Three charities supporting autistic people and their families are set to benefit from the National Autistic Society’s annual Boshier Grant Scheme. Brook Young People, Restraint Reduction Network, and Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum will receive funding to focus on key areas such as healthy relationships, childbirth, and addressing the needs of autistic individuals and carers in ethnic minority communities.

Launched in 2023 in partnership with Thea and Peter Boshier, the grant scheme provides up to £25,000 to registered UK charities. The Boshiers, who have personal and professional ties to autism, expressed their excitement about supporting impactful projects for a second year. They commented: “These grants will make a significant difference, and we are eager to see the outcomes of the work carried out in the coming year.”

Brook Young People will use the funding to co-design a set of resources with autistic young people, ensuring that Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) sessions are accessible and inclusive. Restraint Reduction Network plans to create resources for autistic individuals and maternity staff, aiming to improve experiences during pregnancy and childbirth. Meanwhile, Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum will focus on reducing stigma and providing culturally sensitive support and training for families and carers.

The Boshier Grant Scheme’s next funding cycle is scheduled to open in July 2025, offering further opportunities to support innovative autism-related projects across the UK.

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has introduced best practice guidance to help the adult social care workforce address inequalities faced by individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people. The project explores key challenges such as delays in diagnosis, lack of reasonable adjustments, and the issue of ‘diagnostic overshadowing,’ where physical or mental health concerns are overlooked due to the focus on a person’s disability.

This guidance provides practical advice for social care workers to enhance the care experience for people with learning disabilities and autism. It aims to build confidence among workers and commissioners in delivering services, while increasing understanding of the legal frameworks that underpin effective and inclusive care.

The initiative draws on insights from the SCIE Fliers, a group of individuals with lived experience of learning disabilities and autism. Their experiences, including lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighted the longstanding challenges in care provision, such as a lack of awareness and skills within the health and social care workforce to address health risks for this group. The guidance incorporates feedback from service users, commissioners, and existing resources to promote co-production in service design.

Kathryn Smith OBE, SCIE’s Chief Executive, emphasised the importance of breaking down systemic barriers and ensuring high-quality, accessible care that empowers individuals. A co-created video featuring the SCIE Fliers has been developed to complement the guidance, further amplifying the voices of those with lived experience.

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has revealed severe failings in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, leaving families without adequate support and pushing nearly half of England’s councils towards potential financial collapse within 15 months. The committee has called for immediate government action to address the disparities in SEND provision and prevent a generation of vulnerable children from being left behind.

The report highlights vast differences in waiting times for Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) across the country, with only 50% issued within the required 20 weeks in 2023. It also notes a sharp rise in parents appealing SEND decisions, with tribunals overwhelmingly ruling in favour of families, reflecting systemic inefficiencies. The PAC has urged the Department for Education to investigate the causes of rising demand for SEND support, address inconsistencies in how needs are identified, and ensure sufficient resources are available for inclusive education.

The financial strain on local authorities is a key concern, with many councils accumulating significant deficits due to escalating SEND costs. The cumulative £4.6 billion shortfall in educational budgets poses a serious threat to the viability of local government finances. The PAC has demanded the government outline plans to address these deficits by March 2025 to avoid further disruption to SEND services.

Committee Chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown criticised the lack of urgency in addressing the crisis, describing the situation as an emergency that has been ignored for too long. He stressed that families and councils are being let down by a failing system, calling for decisive action to deliver meaningful reform and ensure children receive the support they need.

New research reveals that over 60 million people worldwide were living with autism in 2021, making it one of the top ten causes of non-fatal health burden for those under 20. This equates to an estimated one in 127 people globally being autistic, a significant increase from the one in 271 reported in 2019. The findings, published in The Lancet, are based on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

The study highlights a notable gender disparity, with autism prevalence among males (1,065 cases per 100,000) nearly double that of females (508 per 100,000). High-Income Asia Pacific regions, including Japan, reported the highest prevalence globally (1,560 per 100,000), while Tropical Latin America and Bangladesh recorded the lowest. Autism affects individuals across all ages worldwide, with disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) increasing due to population growth.

Researchers stress the urgent need for early diagnosis and sustained support for autistic individuals and their families. Enhanced data collection, alongside targeted interventions for associated risks like suicide, are essential for improving outcomes. These measures would help inform policies aimed at improving the quality of life for autistic people globally.

The authors emphasise that while early intervention is vital, addressing the evolving needs of autistic individuals throughout their lives, particularly under-represented adults, is equally important. The study was funded by Queensland Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

New research highlights the direct link between staff psychological wellbeing and the quality of support provided to individuals with learning disabilities. Published in the Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, the study systematically reviewed findings using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Version (MBI-HS) to explore burnout among staff in this field.

The findings confirm that the psychological demands of caregiving can negatively impact staff wellbeing, often leading to burnout. Interestingly, general exposure to challenging behaviours, including their frequency and the type of support offered, was not directly associated with burnout. However, one study revealed that emotional exhaustion was strongly influenced by staff fear of assault, suggesting that addressing this fear could reduce burnout levels.

The research reiterates previous evidence that staff in good psychological health deliver higher-quality care and are less likely to be absent or leave their roles. This improves care continuity, benefiting both clients and services. The study underscores the need for further research into the factors that influence staff wellbeing, particularly those that may enhance resilience and reduce burnout.

The authors advocate for a national observatory to monitor staff wellbeing and explore influencing factors systematically. This would allow for the standardisation and coordination of wellbeing data across services, creating a clearer understanding of the relationships between staff wellbeing, service settings, and client needs.