Report tells us number of disabled children with complex needs has risen significantly. Is this so in your country?

From NCB press release:

- Dramatic 50% increase since 2004 - 49,300 to 73,000 children in England

- 57,615 children with complex autism in schools in England, more than double the number in 2004.

- Report questions whether Government, local authorities and commissioners understand the numbers of disabled children they are providing services for.

The first analysis of the numbers of disabled children with complex needs and life-limiting conditions in over a decade, estimates that numbers have swelled dramatically by over 50% since 2004, from 49,300 to 73,000 children and young people.

The underlying reasons for the increase include increased life expectancy for babies born with complex disabilities and congenital conditions such as cystic fibrosis.

But data on these children is extremely scarce, so the report, commissioned by the Council for Disabled Children and the True Colours Trust, uses school census data on special educational needs, and other data, to shed light on trends. It finds that the numbers of children with complex forms of autism have more than doubled since 2004, to 57,615.

Worryingly the swell in numbers may actually be greater, since many children with the most complex needs are educated in the Independent Special School Sector and the Department for Education does not require those schools to return detailed data on these pupils.

The report, written by Anne Pinney, suggests that while the numbers of these children are growing, the services they rely may not have kept pace. The proportion of children with a disability supported by children’s services is steadily falling, and now stands at 0.4% of all 0 to17-year-olds assessed as ‘children in need’, suggesting that qualifying for local authority help may be increasingly difficult for disabled children and their families. Similarly, 41,500 children and young people with a learning disability or autism are currently on waiting lists to see a mental health specialist.

‘Understanding the needs of disabled children with complex needs or life-limiting conditions’ is available from: www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/help-resources/resources/data-report