Housing and disabled children (summary)

• Families with a disabled child are more likely to be renting their homes than families with non-disabled children. Whilst there has been an increase in the proportion of familes as a whole being home-owners, the proportion of families with a disable child becoming home-owners has remained the same. • Families with a disabled child are less likely to be living in a decent home compared to families with a non-disabled child. Those with a disabled child are 50 per cent more likely than other families to live in overcrowded accommodation, to rate their home as being in a poor state of repair, and to report problems with wiring, draughts and damp in the child’s bedroom. • Compared to other groups of disabled people, disabled children requiring specifically adapted homes are the least likely to be living in suitable accommodation . • The great majority of families with disabled children report that their homes are unsuitable for their child’s needs and the associated needs of other family members. Often the home is unsuitable in a number of ways, • All disabled children and their families, not just children with physical disabilities, are likely to experience difficulties with their housing. • The sorts of problems with housing most frequently reported by families include lack of family space, and lack of space for storing and using therapeutic equipment. Other common problems are difficulties with location and unsuitable or inaccessible kitchens, toilets and bathrooms. • Moving, as opposed to adapting the current home, is the preferred option for dealing with unsuitable housing for around half of families. • Disabled children and young people spend more time at home than non-disabled children, but there is evidence to suggest that their homes are the most restrictive environments in which they spend their time. • Improvements in families’ housing situation can lead to increased independence, more confidence and greater self-reliance among disabled children. However, families can experience significant difficulties accessing support and services to help them address the problems with their housing. • Living in unsuitable housing has been found to be associated with increased levels of parental stress. Parents describe the negative impact living in unsuitable housing has on their child’s well-being and development as well as on their own, and their other children’s, physical and emotional well-being. The research By Bryony Beresford with Dave Rhodes