What is the Welsh Government doing to support disabled children and their families?
The Welsh Government is committed to the provision of high-quality services and effective support for the wellbeing of disabled children and their families.
The Sustainable Social Services Third Sector Grant is provided to support carers, children, and young people with disabilities. This grant funds early intervention and preventative activity.
Since 2022, the Welsh Government has allocated £42 million to support unpaid carers. This includes the Carers Support Fund, providing £4.5 million from 2022 to 2025 for small grants and financial advice. Additionally, health and social care professionals receive training to better recognise and support unpaid carers.
The Neurodivergence Improvement Programme, backed by £12 million over three years, aims to streamline referrals, reduce waiting times, and improve support services. The Welsh Government also invests in speech and language development through the ‘Talk with Me’ programme, which supports the speech, language, and communication development of all children.
The Healthy Child Wales Programme delivers a universal health visiting programme to all families, improving health outcomes for disabled children. The SWAN Clinic continues to provide multidisciplinary services for patients with potential rare diseases, ensuring they receive comprehensive care.
For children with complex health needs, the Welsh Government emphasises the importance of multi-agency collaboration through the Children’s Continuing Care guidance. This ensures long-term care for disabled children, with agencies working together to meet their needs.
Finally, the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 requires local health boards to support the coordination and delivery of ALN services. This supports disabled children and young people to achieve their full potential throughout their school life.