UK Disability Resource of Disabled Needs

Refused a short break?
Have you been refused support from your local authority? The Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) campaign, which Contact a Family is a founding member of, is calling for families with disabled children in England and Wales who have, to come forward and take part in a groundbreaking wave of legal test cases.

Families with disabled children repeatedly report that short breaks are their number one service priority. Yet, currently, only one in 13 families receives any kind of support service.

The search for cases is on as the campaign has received a legal opinion from expert community care lawyers. Their opinion is that, in certain situations, families with disabled children may have a legal right to short breaks.

EDCM is looking for families who have been assessed as needing short break services but have been refused these services, for example on resource grounds. Families will also need to be on a low income and eligible for legal aid, so that the costs of the case will be covered. Families are being encouraged to call the Contact a Family freephone helpline on Tel: 0808 808 3555 to get further advice about bringing a case and to check whether they are eligible for legal aid.

You can find out more about the campaign at Web: http://tinyurl.com/39lwld