Research finds more than 60,000 disabled children have no access to summer holiday clubs
More than 60,000 disabled children are living in areas of England where no accessible summer holiday clubs are available, according to new research from national disability charity Sense.
The charity found that one in 10 local authorities responding to its research commissioned no holiday club provision for disabled children, leaving an estimated 61,415 young people without access to support during the school summer break.
Sense has warned that the lack of suitable provision affects not only disabled children, who may miss opportunities to socialise, develop skills and take part in activities, but also the finances, employment and mental wellbeing of their families.
Every disabled child is entitled to an assessment for children’s social care support, which can include funding or assistance to access childcare and holiday clubs. However, Sense says local authorities interpret their responsibilities differently, while eligibility thresholds vary significantly between areas.
The charity has described the resulting variation in provision as a “stark postcode lottery”.
Freedom of Information requests submitted by Sense to every local authority in England found that only six per cent of disabled children nationally could access holiday club provision.
Of the 114 local authorities that responded, 11—equivalent to 10 per cent—reported offering no provision at all.
Sense also surveyed 1,000 parents and carers of disabled children about their experiences of accessing holiday clubs.
More than half of respondents, 57 per cent, said they found it difficult to access suitable provision, while 32 per cent said the lack of accessible holiday clubs had negatively affected their family finances.
Among those experiencing a financial impact, 32 per cent had reduced their working hours and 16 per cent had left employment altogether.
More than a third of all parents surveyed, 34 per cent, said difficulties accessing holiday clubs had negatively affected their mental health.
Sense, which supports disabled children, young people and adults with complex needs, is calling for the introduction of a national framework for disabled children’s social care.
The charity wants the Government to implement recommendations made by the Law Commission, including the introduction of national statutory guidance and consistent eligibility criteria.
In October 2024, the Law Commission concluded that the existing legal framework was fragmented and inconsistent and recommended a new national approach to children’s social care.
Sense says implementing the recommendations would help end the significant variation in support provided by different local authorities.
Harriet Edwards, Director of Influencing at Sense, said: “Every child deserves the chance to spend the summer with friends, learning new skills and having fun. Yet too many disabled children are missing out simply because accessible holiday clubs aren’t available where they live.
“This stark postcode lottery is failing families. Parents are being forced to cut their working hours, leave their jobs or pay for expensive alternatives because the support they need isn’t there.
“While there are plans to reform the education system, far too little is being done to improve the care and support disabled children receive in and around school, especially during the 10 weeks each year when schools are on holiday.
“Introducing a national framework for children’s social care would help ensure school holiday support is based on children’s needs, not their postcode.
“Disabled children have waited long enough for a system that works consistently. Now is the time to deliver it.”
The UK Government has been considering introducing a minimum target that ensures at least 40 per cent of new housing is delivered to M4(2) accessible and adaptable standards across the country.
