The profile of disabled children in the United Kingdom is changing. More disabled children and young people live in the UK than ever before (about 770 000 according to criteria defined in the Disability Discrimination Act), and the number of children with the most severe or complex needs—such as those with autistic spectrum conditions or with complex health and nursing needs—is also increasing. The needs of families with a disabled child, which involve input from professionals working in many different agencies, are often unmet. This situation will continue unless efforts are made within the opportunities provided by new child and health service policies and structures (such as the Common Assessment Framework for Children and Young People; www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/caf/) to give families better support.

Around 55% of families of disabled children live in poverty; they have been described as “the …