»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË

  1. Home
  2. Resources

Do disabled children and young people have equal access to education and childcare (Wales) - consultation response

Policy & Public Affairs: Wales
In September 2023 we responded to the Children, Young People and Education Committee’s inquiry into ‘Do disabled children and young people have equal access to education and childcare. In this inquiry, the Committee looked to understand how children and young people who are neurodivergent, have physical, sensory or learning disabilities are able to access all aspects of education and childcare.

You can download our full consultation response at the bottom of this page.

Our response

All children and young people have a right to education under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, Article 28).

Education supports the healthy development of a child, their personality, talents, and physical and mental abilities. Education settings provide a haven for children which can deliver appropriate safeguarding and uphold children’s rights. However, in practice children and young people with a disability continue to experience discrimination, difficulties with accessibility and bullying which can exacerbate existing mental ill health and/ or present new challenges. 

Our recommendations

  1. The Welsh Government, via the Disability Rights Taskforce, should champion the Social Model of Disability and ensure it is embedded across all policies, including health and education. 
  2. The Welsh Government should adopt an asset-based approach to supporting children and young people with a disability which empowers and enables them to thrive. 
  3. The Committee should consider those awaiting a diagnosis and the ‘Missing Middle’ (children and young people with disabling forms of distress) within this inquiry, and how education and health settings could better meet their needs. 

We respond to a wide range of consultations to ensure that the College’s position, and ultimately children’s health, is represented. Members can get involved in current consultations by contacting the Wales team at enquiries.wales@rcpch.ac.uk.