The Law Commission has launched a consultation aimed at reforming disabled children’s social care law to make it fairer, simpler, and more accessible for families. The current legal framework, which determines what support disabled children can receive from social services, is outdated and inconsistent, with some legislation dating back over 50 years. This has led to variations in support offered by local authorities and created unnecessary barriers for parents and carers seeking help for their children.
The consultation follows recommendations from the 2022 Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, which highlighted the difficulties families face in understanding and accessing support. The Law Commission is now seeking input from young people, families, social workers, local authorities, and anyone with knowledge of the area to guide its reform recommendations.
Professor Alison Young, Commissioner for Public Law, stressed the importance of modernising the law to reflect changing needs and improve clarity for families and service providers. The consultation will cover areas such as assessments, eligibility, service provision, transitioning to adult care, and the definition of disability.
Minister for Children and Families, Janet Daby, emphasised the need to remove outdated language and streamline the legal system, allowing social workers to focus more on improving the lives of vulnerable children and families, and ensuring disabled children receive the support they need.
